1.5 million Brits go on skiing holidays each year, with the most popular destinations including France and Austria. However, many people are unaware that standard travel insurance might not cover them for any mishaps that happen on the slopes. In fact, a third of British skiers fail to check that their accident insurance covers them before hitting the slopes.

Skiing is classed as a high-risk winter sport and a recent BBC report found that about 10,000 or one in 300, Brits were injured in some way during each skiing season. The most common types of skiing injury are

• Colliding with another skier or a fixed object such as a tree (about 10% of all injuries)
• Falling over and injuring yourself (about 5% of injuries)
• Hurting yourself using the lift (5%)
• And malfunctioning or misusing equipment (5% of injuries)

While most injuries are mild, causing just bruises and bumps, more serious injuries can occur too. Big falls, hidden rocks, and avalanches can cause serious injuries or even death in some cases.

Not having the proper equipment such as helmets and gloves to keep away frostbite can also see skiers suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries and conditions.

Travel insurance for skiing trips

Whether you’re going for a short trip or a luxury holiday, getting the right travel insurance for your skiing trip should be top of your list. Insurance for a skiing holiday should include

• Medical treatment for any injuries sustained through skiing
• Personal liability cover to protect you if you injure somebody else as a result of your skiing and you are personally liable
• Repatriation to get you back home if you are ill or injured

As well as covering you for injury or illness, your skiing travel insurance can also cover things like

• Equipment cover in case you need to replace damaged, lost, or stolen equipment
• Ski pass cover if yours is lost or stolen
• Compensation if you’re unable to ski due to avalanche delays
• Cancellation cover if you’re forced to cancel the rest of your holiday as a result of an injury.

As an insurance broker, The Bateman Group can help you find the right cover for your next skiing holiday. Get in touch using our contact form or call us on 0800 731 6689.

Tips for staying safe on your skiing holiday

Many skiing injuries are caused by inexperienced or overconfident skiers. Here are our top tips for staying safe on the slopes this season.

• Invest in lessons. If this is your first skiing trip or even if you’ve not been for a while, it’s always worth booking a couple of lessons before hitting the slopes.
• Use the proper equipment. One of the leading causes of ski injuries is the improper use of equipment. Check your equipment regularly and ensure it is correct for your skier type and weight.
• Wear a helmet and the right clothing to keep you protected and at the right temperature as you ski.
• Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs whilst skiing
• Always check the conditions before heading to the slopes each morning and react to changing conditions throughout the day.