Skiing offers an unbeatable blend of adventure, scenery, and physical challenge, but it’s also one of the most accident-prone types of travel. Every season, thousands of skiers and snowboarders face unexpected injuries, equipment loss, and weather-related cancellations that can turn an exciting trip into a financial headache.
Whether you’re heading to the French Alps, Switzerland, Italy, or Andorra, getting ski insurance this winter is a financial safety net.
The real cost of ski accidents
Medical costs and rescue fees abroad can be extremely high, and many expenses that travellers assume they're covered by standard travel insurance or the UK’s Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which are, in fact, excluded.
Post-Brexit, UK travellers no longer enjoy the full reciprocal healthcare protections they once had across the EU. The GHIC provides access to state healthcare in some circumstances, but it does not cover:
- Private or specialist medical treatment
- Mountain rescue or air evacuation
- Repatriation to the UK
- Lost, stolen, or damaged ski equipment
GHIC can help with basic emergency care, but it won’t protect you financially if you need to be rescued from a mountain or flown home for further treatment.
Winter sports come with higher risks and higher bills. A minor injury can trigger a cascade of costs that quickly reach thousands of pounds:
- Mountain rescue or helicopter evacuation: Between €3,000–€5,000, depending on the resort and altitude.
- Hospital care and surgery: A simple leg fracture in Austria or Switzerland can exceed €10,000.
- Repatriation to the UK: Air ambulance transfers can range from £15,000–£20,000, often excluded from standard travel cover.
Without specialist ski insurance, you’ll likely have to pay these costs in full before being treated or discharged, and some clinics are now requiring proof of insurance before beginning treatment.
How to choose the right ski insurance
Before buying ski insurance, always take the time to read policy documents in full, especially the sections on exclusions, altitude limits, and pre-existing medical conditions.
Look for:
- Medical cover of at least £5 million
- Repatriation cover (air ambulance and medical escort)
- Off-piste and snowboard cover if applicable
- Personal liability protection
- 24/7 multilingual assistance
If you ski regularly, consider an annual multi-trip policy that includes winter sports. It’s usually more cost-effective than buying separate cover for each trip.
A good winter sports policy goes well beyond medical protection. It should include:
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Cover type
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Typical limit
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What it protects
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Emergency medical expenses
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£5 million
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Hospital bills, evacuation, repatriation
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Trip cancellation or curtailment
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£3,000–£5,000
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Illness, bad weather, or transport disruption
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Personal liability
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£2 million
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Injury or damage caused to others
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Ski equipment (owned or hired)
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£1,000
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Theft, loss, or damage
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Piste closure
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As offered
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Compensation or transport to another resort
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Avalanche delay
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As offered
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Extra accommodation or transport costs
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24-hour emergency assistance
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Included
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Round-the-clock help in emergencies
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Always check for off-piste exclusions, as some insurers only cover you when skiing on marked slopes. If you plan to go off-piste, heli-ski, or snowboard, make sure your policy explicitly includes it.
Final thoughts
Buying ski insurance as soon as you book your trip ensures cancellation cover kicks in immediately. If you fall ill or your travel plans change before departure, you’ll already be protected. Waiting until the week of departure can leave you exposed to cancellation losses.
Additionally, bundling your insurance with your travel card or financial provider can simplify claims and provide access to 24-hour emergency support or card-blocking services if your wallet is lost on the slopes.
