Ski travel insurance
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Travel insurance for skiing
Speed, exhilaration, clean mountain air – who doesn’t enjoy an adrenaline-packed skiing holiday?
But skiing also comes with a high risk of injury. From collisions to falls to broken bones, having the right ski insurance cover is essential. Especially given the potential costs of having to be airlifted off the slopes.
Ski travel insurance, also known as winter sports insurance, can protect you against the specific risks associated with skiing and snowboarding holidays.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.
When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers that will cover them with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.
What does ski holiday insurance cover?
Ski travel insurance gives you all the basics you’d expect from a standard travel insurance policy. For example, cover for lost or stolen luggage, cancellations and medical costs. But ski insurance cover is tailored to include extra financial protection for skiers and their equipment.
A good ski travel insurance policy should cover:
- Loss of ski pass
- Damage, theft or loss of your own, or hired, skiing equipment
- Piste closure for more than 24 hours because of a lack of snow, too much snow, high winds or avalanche risk
- Alternative equipment hire if your luggage is lost or delayed on the outward journey
- Personal liability if you injure someone else
- Delays caused by avalanche.
What’s not covered by ski holiday insurance?
Ski travel insurance policies can vary in their exclusions. Your policy may not cover:
- Heli-skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Off-piste skiing
- Freestyle skiing
- Competitive skiing
- Ski touring.
If you’re into more adventurous skiing, it may be worth considering extreme sports travel insurance to make sure you’re covered for higher-risk sports.
It’s also important to know that:
- Some UK providers require you to wear a helmet or your policy will be invalid
- Nearly all ski policies will be invalid if you’re injured while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Will an GHIC or EHIC cover me for skiing in Europe?
If you’re going skiing in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, the GHIC/EHIC gives you access to necessary state healthcare on the same basis as a local.
But it won’t cover the following, potentially significant, costs:
- Mountain rescue
- Private treatment
- Repatriation if you need to be flown home.
The GHIC also doesn’t cover you for any ski-related risks, like piste closure or avalanche cover. And it doesn’t give you cover for baggage loss and cancellation. So it doesn’t replace ski travel insurance.
It's also worth knowing that treatment with a GHIC/EHIC isn't necessarily free. You may need to pay, if a local person would be charged for the same healthcare. But if you use your ski insurance policy to access treatment, the costs will be covered.
The GHIC has replaced the EHIC. But if you have an EHIC issued before the end of 2020, it will be valid until the expiry date. You can apply for a GHIC free on the NHS website. If someone tries to charge you it’s a scam.
What else should I consider when buying ski travel insurance?
There are some other things to think about when arranging your ski insurance cover, including:
Where are you going?
Ski trip insurance will typically cost more in the USA and Canada than in Europe. This is because medical treatment in those countries is more expensive.
How many people are going?
If it’s a family holiday or you’re travelling as a couple or a group, you might find it better value to buy ski travel insurance that covers all of you under one policy. This won’t be the case however, if one person has a pre-existing medical condition – that could push up the price for everyone.
Also, if you’re planning more than one skiing trip over 12 months, you might save money by buying an annual policy.
How’s your health?
Be sure to let your insurance provider know if you have a pre-existing medical condition, including any injuries. If not, they could refuse to pay your bills if you need to make a claim.
When should I buy ski travel insurance?
The best time to buy ski insurance cover is straight after booking your holiday.
That means you’re likely to be protected if your trip is cancelled.
How can I find cheap ski holiday insurance?
A good tip for finding cheap ski holiday insurance is to shop around.
You can compare prices here at Compare the Market. Just tick the ‘winter sports cover’ box when entering your details.
It’s worth noting that the cheaper ski insurance cover may not necessarily be the best.
It’s also important to make sure you have adequate levels of cover for each element of your ski travel insurance policy, like cancellation cover and baggage cover.
Frequently asked questions
Does regular travel insurance cover skiing?
Most standard travel insurance policies won’t cover skiing because of the risks involved. So, it’s likely you’ll need to pay extra for winter sports cover to ensure you’re fully protected.
Cost of accidents could be huge. A fractured leg in the USA could cost £10,000 in medical bills, while a knee injury in Austria could set you back £8,000.
So, skiers are urged to ensure they have the right cover in place before hitting the slopes.
Does travel insurance cover ski passes?
Winter sports insurance may cover you if your ski pass to access the lifts and ski runs is lost, stolen or damaged, but check your policy to make sure. Some policies won’t pay out unless you were carrying it with you at the time or you’d left it locked away in a safe.
Does ski insurance cover snowboarding too?
Yes, both snowboarding and skiing are covered under a winter sports insurance policy. Although not all will cover you for off-piste snowboarding. Winter sports insurance will also typically cover activities such as ice-skating and sledging. You need to check exactly what activities your policy covers.
Can I get off-piste ski insurance cover?
Cover for off-piste skiing is included as standard in some winter sport travel insurance policies. But the levels of cover may vary. Check any winter sport policy carefully before buying.
Or consider taking out specialist off-piste ski insurance, or extreme sports insurance, to ensure you’re covered.
Will my age affect the cost of ski travel insurance?
The older you are, the higher your ski insurance cover premiums are likely to be. That’s because you’re deemed to be at a higher risk of falling ill or getting injured – or having a pre-existing medical condition.
Some providers have age limits, so double check.
Can I get cover for my skiing equipment?
Yes, you should be able to get cover for your skiing equipment. A good ski travel insurance policy will cover loss, theft and damage to your own or hired skiing equipment.
It may also cover alternative equipment hire if your luggage is lost or delayed on the outbound journey. You could also add a higher level of baggage cover if you’re travelling with particularly valuable pieces of kit.
Is multi-trip insurance cheaper?
Not always. Whether annual or single-trip travel insurance is cheaper depends on if you’re going on more than one trip in a year.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you’re going on different holidays – for example, a beach break in Spain and a skiing holiday in the USA – you’ll need different levels of cover. So, single trip insurance could be more appropriate.
What do I need to get a ski trip insurance quote?
To get a ski travel insurance quote, you’ll just need to answer some basic questions, including:
- Where are you going?
- When do you want cover to start?
- How many people do you want to insure?
- Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions?
Why use Compare the Market to compare ski travel insurance?
We compare 44 trusted travel insurance providers[1]
Get a quote in less than 5 minutes[1]
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[1] Correct as of December 2024.
What our expert says...
“There are different types of skiing and ski travel insurance policies vary. Carefully check what activities and risks are covered before you buy to make sure you get a policy that gives you everything you need.”
- Anna McEntee, Home, pet and travel insurance expert
