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Ski Travel Insurance
Ski Travel Insurance
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
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Long story short
Most standard travel insurance policies exclude snow sports
You’ll probably need to add ski travel insurance to be covered.
Ski cover costs can vary across providers
It can cost anywhere from $40 to a couple of hundred dollars – which is way cheaper than paying for emergency medical assistance yourself.
Not every snowy activity is covered
You’re usually fine for activities like snowboarding or tobogganing, but riskier things like heli-skiing or off-piste runs might not be covered.
What is ski travel insurance?
Winter is the perfect time for an outdoor adventure, with avid skiers and snowboarders making tracks for the snowy slopes. Sure, you can find some good frosty mountains to glide down in Australia, but spots like Japan, Canada, New Zealand and several parts of Europe can deliver unparalleled high-altitude experiences.
If you plan to head overseas, ski travel insurance can offer protection against accidents on the slopes, lost equipment, and travel delays. Without it, you could be out of pocket big time, even from one little accident. Just remember, many travel insurers don’t include snow sports with their basic policies, so you may need to add snow or ski cover as an optional extra.
Why should I get travel insurance with ski cover?
Anyone who has spent time on the slopes knows snow sports aren’t exactly risk-free. In a foreign country without universal medical coverage, one unfortunate accident could lead to a stack of medical bills. Luckily, ski travel insurance is here to help cover you against these costs.
It’s not just for skiers and snowboarders, either. Most ski travel insurance also covers other winter adventure activities like ice skating, snowmobiling and tobogganing, for even more fun on the slopes. That said, riskier snow sport activities like heli-skiing and off-piste skiing (which means you’re skiing outside of designated markers) are usually only covered if you’re with a professional snow sports instructor. For things like ski acrobatics and luge, you’ll find they probably aren’t covered under any circumstances.
Since basic travel insurance policies usually skip winter activities like skiing and snowboarding, most providers make it easy to add ski travel insurance for an additional fee. Naturally, this helps make your alpine adventure all the more stress-free.
‘I was in Japan for my first snowboarding trip. I got a little too confident in Rusutsu and fell badly, straining my MCL. I pushed through when I probably shouldn’t have, and I couldn’t even stand up the next morning. A quick trip to the physio for treatment and a knee brace later, I was feeling better and back on the slopes within a few days. Thankfully, I went with a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covered extreme snow sports and injuries; otherwise, I would’ve been stuck with a bill over $1,000 AUD (just for one physio appointment!)‘
Rachel Gregg
Digital Writer, Select
What if I choose to ski without travel insurance?
Although ski travel insurance isn’t mandatory to hit the slopes, jumping on the ski lift without it can be a big financial risk. If something goes wrong, the massive overseas medical bills to follow (which could be in the thousands) can be sure to ruin your trip, not to mention your bank balance.
What does ski travel insurance cover besides skiing?
Gliding down a perfectly smooth mountainside is an unforgettable experience, and having the right level of cover for your journey means you can worry less about the ‘what ifs’ and more about nailing that next run.
Overseas medical expenses
Getting sick or injured overseas is scary enough without the sky-high medical bill. Ski travel insurance can help cover costs for emergency medical assistance, hospital stays, evacuation and repatriation.
Cancellation costs
If you have to pull the pin on your trip before taking off because of illness, ski travel insurance can help cover non-refundable expenses, like pre-paid tours and hotel deposits.
Replacement equipment
Winter sports gear isn’t cheap. If yours gets lost or stolen during your trip, ski travel insurance cover could help with the cost of replacing it, because without skis, your trip could really hit a standstill.
Piste closure
Sometimes the snow doesn’t show up, or bad weather ruins things, which can mean the piste gets closed. If that happens, ski travel insurance might help reimburse your unused lift passes or cancelled ski lessons.
Ski travel insurance can cover a lot, but it won’t protect you against everything. Here are a few things that usually fall outside the safety net of your policy.
Off-piste activities
It’s tempting to go outside the resort’s bounds when the surrounding mountains feel so near. But heading off-piste without a professional instructor could mean you’re heading off-policy too. Most travel insurers won’t cover accidents that happen outside of the run.
Competition skiing
Typically, ski travel insurance only covers recreational sports, like cross-country skiing or your standard skiing holiday. If you plan on racing or taking part in competitive events, there’s a good chance you won’t be covered for any injuries.
Extreme sports
Thinking of launching it off a ski jump? Whether some high-risk snow sports and activities are included in your policy will depend on the provider. Unfortunately, it’s common for extreme activities like ski jumping, bobsleighing and ice climbing to be excluded from cover.
Gliding down a perfectly smooth mountainside is an unforgettable experience, and having the right level of cover for your journey means you can worry less about the ‘what ifs’ and more about nailing that next run.
Overseas medical expenses
Getting sick or injured overseas is scary enough without the sky-high medical bill. Ski travel insurance can help cover costs for emergency medical assistance, hospital stays, evacuation and repatriation.
Cancellation costs
If you have to pull the pin on your trip before taking off because of illness, ski travel insurance can help cover non-refundable expenses, like pre-paid tours and hotel deposits.
Replacement equipment
Winter sports gear isn’t cheap. If yours gets lost or stolen during your trip, ski travel insurance cover could help with the cost of replacing it, because without skis, your trip could really hit a standstill.
Piste closure
Sometimes the snow doesn’t show up, or bad weather ruins things, which can mean the piste gets closed. If that happens, ski travel insurance might help reimburse your unused lift passes or cancelled ski lessons.
Ski travel insurance can cover a lot, but it won’t protect you against everything. Here are a few things that usually fall outside the safety net of your policy.
Off-piste activities
It’s tempting to go outside the resort’s bounds when the surrounding mountains feel so near. But heading off-piste without a professional instructor could mean you’re heading off-policy too. Most travel insurers won’t cover accidents that happen outside of the run.
Competition skiing
Typically, ski travel insurance only covers recreational sports, like cross-country skiing or your standard skiing holiday. If you plan on racing or taking part in competitive events, there’s a good chance you won’t be covered for any injuries.
Extreme sports
Thinking of launching it off a ski jump? Whether some high-risk snow sports and activities are included in your policy will depend on the provider. Unfortunately, it’s common for extreme activities like ski jumping, bobsleighing and ice climbing to be excluded from cover.
What should I consider when shopping around for travel insurance?
If you’re heading overseas for a winter escape, it’s worth knowing what your policy actually includes. Comparing the scope of coverage and any limits can help you make an informed decision that matches your upcoming trip.
It’s also important to consider the cost of adding winter sports cover to your travel insurance policy. Some insurers make this benefit available for $40–$60, while others can charge several hundred dollars, so it’s worth shopping around.
Since every insurer has its own set of inclusions, exclusions and cover limits, always give the product disclosure statement (PDS) a careful review to make sure you understand your policy as well as your itinerary.
Want travel insurance? Snow worries
Take to the alpine slopes with confidence by adding ski travel insurance to your checklist. Start comparing travel insurance from a range of providers today to find a policy that can keep pace with your power-packed plans.
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