The leaves may still be on the trees but the first snow has fallen in
the Alps and the Pyrenees. Yes, the start of the new ski season is just
around the corner.
The disappointment of last season’s poor snow record is forgotten
and with it the hope that this season will be one to remember. But will
it be for the right reasons? Each year thousands take to the slopes for
the first time but some unfortunately will return with an injury. And
it’s not just first timers as the more experienced take on new
challenges, on and off piste, the wipe out’s just tend to be more
spectacular! That is why it is essential to have the proper ski and
snowboard travel insurance to provide the necessary cover on and off the slopes. So what should people be looking for?
Most travel insurance
providers offer good cover for intermediate and beginners. This is the
vast bulk of the market. Yes, accidents do happen but they are more
likely to be in a controlled fashion, by that we mean on well groomed
pistes and with assistance and help on hand. The problem area is when
the skier or snowboarder gains in confidence and skill and wants to
seek greater challenges and with it more thrills. This generally means
tackling ever more severe slopes but also to venture into what is
loosely termed ‘off piste’. This is where the unwary can very quickly
become unstuck and we are not talking about the snow conditions. Most travel insurance
policies will have restrictions on ‘off piste’ such as ‘only with a
guide’ or ‘only within a specified resort area’ so when seeking that
‘adrenaline rush’ it is important to know what you are getting yourself
into first. What’s more, the increasing popularity of ‘half pipes’ and
‘free style’ means that the potential risk of injury has increased as
more and more people are attracted to this immensely enjoyable leisure
activity. To make sure you are properly covered for these more extreme
sports activities, it is essential that winter sports insurance is
obtained that offers protection to this level of activity. The more
expert you are, the more likely you will need more specialist cover
than provided by the usual high street provider. Mountain rescue and
medical costs are expensive and if this requires repatriation then the
costs mount up rapidly. It’s probably too late, as you are being
strapped to the rescue sledge, to wonder whether the travel insurance you bought before the holiday is going to cover you. Know before you go.
Keith McGregor is a partner of Strawberrysoup, a web design agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specialise in creative web design, content managed websites, search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and graphic design
