Skiers: Know your limits and buy ski insurance warns FCO

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is urging British nationals who are hitting the ski slopes this year to know their limits and buy ski insurance to cover the risk of expensive medical bills.

Novice skiers and snowboarders are being warned that they could be putting themselves at increased risk of injury by trying to keep up with more experienced members of their skiing party, attempting ski slopes beyond their level of ability or skiing off-piste without the correct safety equipment.

According to research by the FCO 65% of skiers and snowboarders admitted they would ski or snowboard on slopes above their experience in order to stay with a group.

Over a third (38%) of skiers and snowboarders surveyed also admitted that they don't always take out travel insurance for their trip, with one in three (31%) saying that they don't always check their travel insurance policies to make sure that they are covered for winter sports activities.

Having the right ski insurance when you go on a winter sports holiday is vital, if you don't you could find yourself facing large medical bills if you have an accident on the slopes.

To help skiers and snowboards stay safe the FCO has put together the following tips:

Top Tips: Stay safe on the slopes

• Take out ski insurance - and check what it covers. It might not cover off piste skiing unless you are with a qualified guide.
• Have a check-up before you ski - one of the major causes of hospitalisation and death on the slopes is heart attacks.
• Don't drink and ski. Alcohol can affect you more quickly at high altitudes and dangerously limits your awareness of risk and cold.
• Most skiing injuries are caused by collisions with other skiers - watch your speed and distance.
• Don't attempt slopes you're not experienced or fit enough to tackle.
• If you want to go off piste, go with a qualified guide.
• If going off piste carry a shovel, a probe and a transceiver in case of an avalanche. Also remember that you need proper training on how to use a transceiver.
• If you are going out on a glacier, you must wear a harness. If you fall into a crevasse, this will help the rescue team get you out.
• Make sure someone knows where you're going and tell them of any changes to your plans.
• Only go off piste skiing or climbing with someone you have met previously and can trust. You need to know his/her capabilities, what you'll be doing and where.

Insurewithease.com provides great value ski insurance, including cover for off-pisted skiing and snowboarding within recognised resort boundaries and not skiing in any areas marked out of bounds or hazardous.

Get a quote for ski insurance >>

Digg    Reddit    Facebook    Tweet This