Why Skiing and Snowboarding Need Their Own Cover
Snow sports carry a higher injury rate than most holiday activities, which is exactly why they're commonly excluded from a standard comprehensive travel policy by default and sold as a specific add-on instead.
What Snow Sports Cover Typically Adds
- Medical cover for injuries sustained while skiing, snowboarding or related activities — without this add-on, a standard policy may decline an injury claim outright if it happened on the slopes
- Piste closure benefit — compensation if lifts or runs are closed due to insufficient snow or bad weather
- Equipment cover — for hired or owned ski/snowboard equipment, including hire reimbursement if your own gear is lost or damaged
- Search and rescue cover — potentially significant if an off-piste rescue is needed, which can be extremely costly without insurance
Off-Piste and Backcountry Activities
Many snow sports add-ons cover on-piste (marked, patrolled) skiing and boarding but exclude off-piste or backcountry activity, or require a further add-on for it. If your trip includes any off-piste skiing, heli-skiing or backcountry touring, confirm this specifically rather than assuming standard snow sports cover extends to it.
A Practical Check Before Booking
Confirm the add-on covers the specific activities on your itinerary (skiing, snowboarding, and any off-piste plans), the equipment cover limit against what your gear is actually worth, and that the medical limit is adequate for the destination — a knee reconstruction in a European or North American ski resort can be genuinely expensive without adequate cover.
This page is for educational purposes and isn't personalised financial advice. Premiums, terms and eligibility vary by insurer, destination and individual circumstances — always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Smartraveller advice before travelling.