Destination
Countries that have higher medical fees or are considered dangerous can impact the cost of travel insurance. To save money, choose region-specific cover, increase excess, and avoid add-ons you don’t need.
Winter sports travel cover
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Most travel insurance does not cover winter sports as standard.
You must select the winter sports cover add-on when comparing quotes to be sure your policy covers these activities.
Does travel insurance cover winter sports?
Most standard travel insurance policies do not automatically cover you for winter activities like skiing and snowboarding, because most insurers class these ventures as high-risk.
However, most travel insurers let you upgrade your policy and add on winter sports cover. Travel insurance with winter sports cover can protect you if:
you're injured on the slopes
you need to replace snow sport equipment that's been lost or damaged
Do I need winter sports cover for my holiday?
You need winter sports cover if you plan to:
Ski or snowboard (even for one day)
Go off-piste with a qualified guide
Use terrain parks or take part in winter-sport lessons
Go heli-skiing (check policy restrictions)
Hire or bring your own specialist equipment
You don't need winter sports cover if you plan to:
If you’re taking a winter holiday but not participating in any snow sports, a standard travel insurance policy is usually sufficient. For example, for:
a Christmas market break
sightseeing in a cold destination
staying in a ski resort but not going on the slopes
What sports are covered by winter sports travel insurance?
Insurers generally use “winter sport” to mean any activity carried out on snow or ice that carries a higher-than-normal risk of injury or equipment damage.
Providers often sort these activities into risk levels. For example, standard winter sports, higher-risk sports, and extreme sports.
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Skiing
On-piste skiing on marked trails within a ski resort is typically covered. Off-piste may only be covered with a qualified guide, while heli-skiing or racing often needs specialist approval.
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Snowboarding
Similar to skiing but using a single board. Terrain-park features (e.g. jumps and rails) or competitive snowboarding can count as higher risk.
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Glacier walking
Walking on glacial terrain is usually only covered if guided. It’s seen as higher risk because of hidden crevasses and other hazards, and because it requires specialist gear like crampons, ropes and ice axes.
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Ice skating
Casual skating, including recreational rink or outdoor lake skating. Speed skating or professional figure-skating training may require higher-risk cover.
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Sledding/Bobsledding
Family tobogganing is usually covered but professional or high-speed bobsled runs usually need specialist cover or are excluded.
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Snowmobiling
Some policies only cover snowmobiling as a passenger or part of an organised tour. Driving one yourself may require upgraded cover.
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Lugeing
Sliding at high speed on a luge track is considered a very high-risk or extreme sport, meaning you may need specialist cover or it might be excluded altogether.
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Ice fishing
Fishing through a hole cut into ice on a frozen lake is classed as a winter sport. Recreational ice fishing might be included, but motorised equipment use or remote locations may not be.
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Snowshoe walking
Hiking over snow with wide, framed snowshoes is typically covered as a lower-risk winter activity. However, backcountry snowshoeing in avalanche-prone areas may require higher-tier cover.
What is covered by winter sports travel insurance?
Travel insurance policy inclusions and exclusions vary. The following information provides a general overview of common travel insurance inclusions and exclusions. Always read your policy documents thoroughly to understand what is and isn't covered before your trip.
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What is covered
Medical and emergency support
Medical costs: If you’re injured on the slopes. Typical limits: £5–£10 million
Repatriation: You need to be brought home for medical care. Limits included within medical cover
Personal liability: You injure someone else or damage property Typical limits: £1–£2 million
Equipment protection
Reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged equipment (your own skis, snowboard, boots, or helmet) Typical limits: £300–£750 per item; £1,000–£2,500 total
Equipment hire if your gear is lost, stolen or delayed. Typical limits: £20–£40 per day, up to £200
Replacement ski pass if yours is lost, stolen, or you can’t use it due to injury. Typical limits: £200–£300
Piste and resort problems
Compensation for piste closures due to weather or safety issues. Typical limits: £20–£40 per day, up to £300
Avalanche cover for extra transport or accommodation when an avalanche blocks access to the resort. Typical limits: £200–£500
Travel disruption
Extra travel or hotel costs if weather conditions, avalanches or other winter-related events prevent you from reaching your resort or leaving it. Typical limits: £200–£500
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What is not covered
While wording differs between insurers, common exclusions include:
Going off-piste without a qualified guide
Accidents while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Negligence, such as leaving equipment unattended
Travelling against government advice
Using equipment improperly or without required safety gear
Extreme or professional-level sports, including competitive racing
Pre-existing medical conditions not declared in advance
How much is travel insurance with winter sports cover?
With MoneySuperMarket you can find travel insurance with winter sports cover from as little as £3.39
The average price of a policy is £25.80
Your personal cost will depend on a number of factors:
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Length of trip
The longer your holiday is, the greater the chance is of something happening. If you're travelling often, multi-trip and long-stay policies can work out cheaper than paying for several single-trip policies.
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Your age
Insurers put certain age groups, such as over 65s and 75s, into higher risk categories because older age groups typically pose more of a medical risk. Compare specialist insurers and pre-existing condition travel policies to get a competitive premium price.
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Your health
Pre-existing conditions increase likelihood of you needing expensive foreign treatment and repatriation, meaning insurers may charge more for cover. To avoid any issues, declare conditions, compare medical-specialist insurers, and avoid paying for unrelated extras.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need winter sports cover if I have a GHIC/EHIC?
A GHIC/EHIC gives you access to state-provided healthcare in participating EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. However, it does not cover things like mountain rescue, private medical care, repatriation back to the UK, lost equipment, piste closures, or cancellations.
You’ll still need winter sports cover for full protection on a skiing or snowboarding holiday.
What counts as a pre-existing medical condition for winter sports travel insurance?
Insurers usually define a pre-existing condition as any illness, injury, or medical issue you’ve had symptoms of, received treatment for, taken medication for, or been diagnosed with, recent or ongoing.
This includes long-term conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes), recent investigations, hospital stays, and any condition you’re waiting to see a specialist about.
All pre-existing conditions must be declared when you buy your policy. If you withhold information, even accidentally, your claim may be rejected, especially for medical or repatriation costs. It’s always safer to disclose everything upfront.
When is the best time to buy winter sports cover?
You should buy travel insurance and the relevant winter sports add-on as soon as you book your trip. This is because your cancellation cover starts immediately, protecting you if something unexpected prevents you travelling.
If you wait, you risk not being covered in the following circumstances:
You need to cancel due to illness, injury or bereavement before your trip
Your provider goes bust or your accommodation becomes unavailable, you may be unable to claim
Any health issues developing before you buy cover may count as new pre-existing conditions, increasing cost
What does travel insurance cancellation cover include?
Cancellation cover typically applies if you can’t travel due to:
Illness or injury (including a doctor advising you not to travel)
Bereavement of a close relative
Redundancy
Jury service or other unavoidable commitments
Serious damage to your home (fire, flood, burglary)
For winter sports holidays, some policies also offer:
Lack of snow or excessive snow (varies widely by insurer)
Lift or resort closure for safety reasons
Always check the policy wording, as winter sports-specific cancellation reasons are not universal
Which type of travel insurance do I need for my ski destination?
There are three different levels of travel insurance depending on which locations you want to cover. The more destinations you want covered under your policy, the more your policy will cost.
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Europe
Covers winter sports trips across all European countries including France and Germany (plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Turkey).
It is generally the cheapest option.
📍Resorts such as Val Thorens, Chamonix, St Anton, Zermatt, and Cervinia.
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Worldwide excluding USA and Canada
Includes Europe plus long-haul ski destinations such as those in Japan or in New Zealand, offering broader cover without the high costs of North America.
📍Resorts such as Niseko, Hakuba, Treble Cone and Coronet Peak.
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Worldwide including USA and Canada
Full global cover, including high-cost North American resorts. Including these countries costs more because medical and rescue expenses are significantly more expensive.
📍Resorts such as Whistler, Banff, Vail, Breckenridge, and Park City
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Why compare travel insurance with winter sports cover with MoneySuperMarket?
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Save time
By entering just a few quick details, you can instantly compare policies from leading UK insurers in one place, making it easier to spot winter-sports essentials like piste-closure cover, avalanche disruption cover, and equipment protection without checking each provider individually.
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Save money
Comparing lots of quotes side by side helps you find the best value for your budget, including policies that bundle in ski-specific benefits at a lower price than buying add-ons separately, meaning you get the cover you need without overpaying.
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Independent and regulated
MoneySuperMarket is independent, impartial, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We help you compare a wide range of products so you can choose the policy that suits your winter-sports trip with confidence.
Our expert says…
Winter sports carry real risks, with around 136,700 ski-related injuries recorded across resorts. But don't assume you're automatically covered to hit the slopes - Defaqto reports that only 7% of single-trip travel insurance policies and 13% of annual policies include winter-sports cover as standard.
However, the vast majority of travel insurers (84% of single-trip policies and 79% of annual policies) will let you add winter sports cover onto your existing policy for a fee.
To avoid unexpected costs or rejected claims, make sure your winter sports cover is also tailored to the specific snow-based activities you’re planning, whether that’s skiing off-piste with a guide, spending time in snow parks, or relying on hired equipment.
Collette Shackleton Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
How do I compare winter sports insurance with MoneySuperMarket?
Sled, ski, and snowboard without stress with travel insurance including winter sports cover. With MoneySuperMarket, you can browse deals from trusted insurers and purchase your cover in just a few clicks.
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Tell us about your trip
Answer a few quick questions, such as whether you're going off-piste and how much your equipment is worth
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We'll do the legwork
We'll fetch quotes from the top UK travel insurance providers and include a handy link to their policies with winter sports cover
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Enjoy your holiday
With your travel insurance sorted, you can get back to planning your next adventure
Can I get joint or family winter sports cover?
Yes, you can get winter sports cover with a joint or family travel insurance policy. All you need do is add the optional cover to your policy to cover multiple people under one policy. It will cover your medical costs, your equipment, and travel disruptions while you travel together, and a joint policy can sometimes work out cheaper than buying several individual travel insurance policies.
Can I get multi-trip winter sports cover?
Yes, you can add winter sports cover to annual multi-trip travel insurance policies. This can be a really valuable addon if you regular take skiing holidays or regularly take part in winter sports when you travel.
Is winter sports travel cover needed for ice skating?
You will need to add winter sports cover to your travel insurance policy if you want cover for ice skating. Most travel insurance policies are unlikely to cover adventure sports or sports with a high-risk of injury. So, if you plan to go out on the ice, consider whether winter sports cover is worth adding.
Do I need winter sports cover to travel to Lapland?
You don’t need to take out winter sports cover for travel insurance to cover a trip to Lapland. European travel insurance will give you standard cover for a holiday to Lapland and will cover all the basics.
However, if you plan to take part in any winter sports, such as sledding or ice skating, then you will need winter sports cover added to your policy to cover you when taking part in any of these activities.
Does winter sports cover include mountain rescue?
Winter sports cover will cover the cost of mountain rescue as well as the cost of repatriation if you need urgent transport back to the UK. These are included as part of your medical cover, so it’s worthwhile to take the cost of these into consideration when choosing your cover.
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Is travel insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
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Is travel insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, travel insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
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Reviewed on 16 Dec 2025 by
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket with winter cover in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.
Data based on the 51st percentile price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket with winter cover in December 2025.
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Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)
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The number of providers for travel insurance in August 2025
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