Heading off-piste? Check your ski insurance and take care

This year's ski season has got off to a fantastic start with early season snowfall looking set to equal or better last years. An enormous amount of snow has fallen in the Alps over the past 10 days, up to 2 metres in some resorts, with more expected this weekend.

With all the fresh powder around you may be tempted to head off-piste. If you do decide to venture off-piste you need be prepared and have your wits about you.

Firstly, check that you are covered by your ski insurance for off-piste skiing or snowboarding and any other winter sports activities you intend to take part in.

Ski insurance from Insurewithease.com provides cover for the following activities:

• Cross country skiing
• Curling
• Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
• Ice skating
• Off-piste skiing and snowboarding is covered providing you are skiing within the boundaries of a recognised resort area designed for public use, and are not skiing in areas marked out of bounds or hazardous by the piste authorities.

Never ski off-piste alone

Once you have checked that your ski insurance provides cover and you decide to take advantage of this year's great snow conditions and ski off-piste, it is important to take care.

Even if you are only skiing off-piste by the edge of a marked run, you still need be very careful, if there is fresh snow around you never know what is underneath. Once you are off the official piste there may be obstacles under the snow such as trees, crevasses and cliffs which won't be marked. There is also the danger of avalanche, particularly when there is a lot of snow around.

Never ski off-piste alone, even it's just off the side of a piste - if you have an accident alone no one will know.

Unless you are very experienced it is safest to stick to the piste or go with a professional guide.

Whether you are skiing on or off-piste it is very important you keep your wits about you when you are in the mountains. Take notice of relevant signs and notices around the resort and on the mountain. The resort authorities will generally post the latest information about the current avalanche risk and weather conditions at the main lift stations - you should read these and take note.

For more information about staying safe in the mountains read our ski safety check list from the FCO.

Get a quote for ski insurance >>

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