Travel Insurance Expert and Head of Communications
Last updatedDecember 8 2025
13 min read
Heading to the mountains soon? Whether you are planning a family trip to the Alps or a snowboarding weekend with friends, we want you to feel more relaxed about your winter holiday. Our skiing travel insurance is designed to look after you if things don’t quite go to plan, so you can focus on the fresh powder and the fun. By adding our winter sports cover to your policy, you get specialist support for the unique parts of a snowy getaway, from your equipment to medical help on the slopes.
What is skiing travel insurance, and do you need it?
Skiing and snowboarding are amazing experiences, but we know they come with different risks than a standard beach holiday. That is why our winter sports add-on is there to handle the specific things you might need on the mountain. We cover emergency medical expenses if you have a tumble, and we can even help with the costs of mountain rescue if you need to be brought down safely. We also cover repatriation (bringing you back home to the UK), so if you get injured and need to come home to the UK for recovery, we will sort that out for you too. It is all about helping you travel with less to worry about, knowing we are in your corner.
Comprehensive cover for your winter sports adventure
We know that ski gear, whether you own it or hire it, can be expensive. If your skis or snowboard get lost, stolen, or damaged comfortably while you are away, our cover can help with the costs of repairing or replacing them. We also understand how frustrating it is to pay for a lift pass or ski lessons and then not be able to use them because you’re unwell or injured. If that happens, we can reimburse the unused days, helping to make sure you aren’t out of pocket for the fun you missed.
Looking after your ski equipment and lift passes
Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Sometimes there is too much snow, and sometimes there isn’t enough. Our policy includes piste closure cover, which offers you compensation if the slopes are closed due to bad weather or a lack of snow at your resort. We also include cover for avalanches or landslides if they delay your arrival or prevent you from leaving. It is just another way we help you handle the unexpected so you can feel comfortable booking your trip.
Support when the weather changes your plans
We want you to have a great time, but we also want you to stay safe. Our policies generally cover off-piste skiing, provided you are with a qualified guide or instructor. It is really important to stick to these rules to ensure your insurance remains valid. Also, please keep in mind tha,t like most insurers, we can’t cover accidents that happen if you are under the influence of alcohol. We just ask that you take reasonable care of yourself and your belongings while you are having fun.
What does InsureandGo’s skiing travel insurance cover?
If you choose an annual travel insurance policy, adding cover for skiing allows you up to 17 days of snowy fun. On single trip travel insurance, adding ski trip insurance covers you for the whole length of your stay, so you can go skiing for up to 365 days.
What’s covered?
Your travel insurance policy with skiing cover includes:
Piste closure may occur if bad weather or a lack of snow shuts the slopes. We’ll help cover extra costs or compensation
Ski equipment cover, whether it’s your own gear or hired equipment, you’ll be covered for loss, theft, or damage
Ski pass cover, if you can’t use your pass due to injury or illness. We can help recover the cost
Off-piste cover, as long as you’re within resort boundaries and not skiing against local advice
Personal liability, in case you accidentally injure someone or damage property while skiing
Off-piste skiing (except where considered unsafe by resort management)
Cross-country skiing
Freestyle skiing*
Cat skiing
Heli-skiing*
Mono skiing
Recreational/non-professional ski racing or training*
Ski acrobatics*
Ski bob racing*
Ski/snowboard fun parks*
Ski stunting*
Ski touring with a guide
Note: Unfortunately, we’re unable to cover ski flying, ski jumping or ski mountaineering. For the activities marked with an * above, an increased medical excess of £250 will apply, and there will be no cover under the policy’s personal accident or personal liability sections. See our policy wording for more details.
What’s not covered?
Each provider will have different things it can or cannot include in a policy. However, there are some situations no travel insurance will cover. For example:
You cannot cover events or reasons to claim which took place before you booked the trip or purchased insurance. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside the insured’s control
Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
All of our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip. But there may be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go
Skiing or snowboarding after drinking alcohol or using drugs. Any claims related to accidents under the influence won’t be covered
Off-piste skiing outside resort boundaries, as you’re only covered for off-piste skiing within the resort and when it’s not against local advice
Our policies don’t cover skiing or snowboarding if you’re doing it as a professional or taking part in a competition
Some high-risk activities (like ski jumping or heli-skiing) aren’t covered unless specifically added and agreed upon
Unfortunately, we don’t offer winter sports cover for travellers aged over 65
Activities not covered by our skiing travel insurance include:
We cover off-piste skiing unless the area has been designated as unsafe by the resort. We are also not able to cover any professional-level ski racing or training.
We will cover all skis, poles, boots and bindings even when they’re left in ski racks (between 10 am and 8 pm). Payments for damaged or stolen equipment decrease with the age of the item, and we won’t be able to cover any ski equipment that is left unattended in a public place.
We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions. Find out more about medical travel insurance. The excess and amount of cover available varies. It depends on the level of travel insurance for skiing you buy. Make sure you check the policy wording to see the full terms and conditions.
To check the policy exclusions and what is and isn’t included, take a look at our policy wording.
Important things to know about off-piste and safety
A lot of travellers think the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is all they need in Europe. While these cards are great for basic state healthcare, they don’t cover everything. Crucially for skiers, they do not cover mountain rescue, helicopter evacuation, or being flown back to the UK if you are seriously hurt. These costs can be very high. Having proper travel insurance with winter sports cover can help protect you against these high costs where the GHIC falls short.
Why the GHIC card isn’t enough for skiers
The GHIC is helpful if you need emergency medical treatment in an EU country, but it only offers basic healthcare cover, and it’s definitely not designed for skiing holidays. Here’s why the GHIC alone isn’t enough for skiers:
Limited medical cover – GHIC only gives access to state healthcare on the same terms as local residents. That may still involve costs you need to pay upfront, and it doesn’t cover private care, which is common in ski resorts.
No cover for mountain rescue – If you need airlifting off a slope or mountain rescue services, GHIC won’t cover it. These costs can be very expensive.
No cover for ski-specific risks – Things like piste closure, lost ski passes, or damaged equipment aren’t included with GHIC, but they are with ski travel insurance.
No protection for cancellations or delays – GHIC doesn’t help if your flights are cancelled or your baggage goes missing.
That’s why adding winter sports cover to your travel insurance is essential. It fills the big gaps that GHIC simply can’t cover, and gives you peace of mind on and off the slopes.
The best skiing travel insurance for your trip
Ready to hit the slopes? Our flexible policies cover everything from alpine escapes to snowy adventures off the beaten track. Not sure what you need? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Skiing in the French Alps? From Chamonix to Courchevel, our Europe policies with winter sports cover will keep you protected on and off the piste.
Going just the once?
Our single trip travel insurance can cover you for trips when you’re skiing every day for up to 365 days. Even if you have an annual policy with ski cover, if you’re skiing for more than 17 days, you’ll need a single trip policy with ski cover to ensure you’re protected on the slopes.
Just starting out? Beginner-friendly resorts in Austria or Andorra are perfect for learning. Our standard winter sports cover includes ski lessons, equipment, and ski pass protection.
After a real adrenaline rush? Upgrade your policy to include extreme sports and try heli-skiing or snowboarding in Canada’s backcountry, just make sure it’s within your cover level.
Travelling with friends or family? Skiing is better together. Add winter sports cover to our family or group policies and enjoy shared protection on the slopes.
Bringing your own gear? If your skis, board, or boots are coming with you, consider adding valuables cover to protect them from theft or damage.
Choose a cover level to suit your travel needs
Black
Gold
Silver
Medical expenses and repatriation
Unlimited
£15 million
£10 Million
Cancellation and curtailment
£10,000
£7,500
£5,000
Travel delay
Up to £650
Up to £540
Up to £450
Personal belongings
£5,000
£2,500
£2,000
Legal Expenses
£60,000
£50,000
£15,000
Standard Excess
Nil
£50
£60
Skiing insurance with pre-existing medical conditions
Just like with every other trip, it’s essential to ensure you have adequate travel insurance with medical conditions. We’ll consider cover for any medical conditions that are declared to us, even while you’re on a ski trip. However, please be aware that some conditions, such as osteoporosis, may not be covered while you’re skiing.
We consider something to be a pre-existing condition if you have:
Taken any prescribed medication or received medical treatment within the last 2 years
Been registered in or been an outpatient at a hospital, clinic or GP surgery in the last 2 years
Been advised of a terminal illness
Examples of medical conditions we can cover include:
It’s quick and easy to get travel insurance with skiing cover.
1.Tell us about your holiday
Let us know about everything you have planned. Tell us who you want to cover, and when you want the policy to start. We will also ask you about any pre-existing medical conditions.
You can do this online now or by calling our team:
Once we have all the details we need, we will send you your quote. At this stage, you can buy your policy or save the quote for later.
Our experts say…
“Skiing is an exhilarating way to see the world, but with high speeds and unpredictable terrain, accidents can happen. Injuries on the slopes or emergency mountain rescue can lead to serious costs. Ski travel insurance ensures you’re protected, and can also cover cancellations if something unexpected disrupts your trip.”
The cost varies from policy to policy and depends on several factors, such as your age, destination and the length of your trip. Please contact us for a quote.
What to look for in ski season travel insurance?
Every provider offers different cover for skiing – there will be variations in the activities covered and the amount they’ll pay out for cancellations and your belongings. You should always check to ensure that your policy meets your specific needs. In general, you should look for ski travel insurance that provides cover for:
Medical costs while taking part in your chosen skiing activity
Costs to return you to the UK if medically necessary
Lost, stolen or damaged ski equipment
Piste closure and lift passes
Cancellation or curtailment
Is equipment included in ski travel insurance?
Yes. All InsureandGo policies with ski travel insurance added will cover equipment lost, stolen or damaged as long as it is not left unattended in a public area. If your skis or boots are delayed on your journey to the slopes, we’ll even pay for you to hire replacements until they arrive.
When should I buy travel insurance for a ski trip?
Ideally, you should buy your ski cover as soon as you book your ski trip, to make sure you’re covered if you unexpectedly have to cancel. However, as long as you purchase your policy before you leave the UK, you will be covered to ski.
Are there age limits for ski travel insurance?
Yes. Unfortunately, we can only provide skiing cover for travellers under the age of 65 when purchasing the policy.
Who can buy an InsureandGo skiing travel insurance policy?
All our skiing travel insurance policies are available to UK residents. This means:
Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
