We recently attended a Webinar hosted by The Oxford Ski Company along with a panel of experts from Austria, France, and Switzerland. They discussed the developments of this ski season, the increase in access, and the realities of in-resort Covid impacts on the skiing experience. It’s fantastic to hear that the winter holiday season is happening after two years of difficulties.
Founder and CEO of The Oxford Ski Company, Rupert Longsdon added;
The absolute satisfaction received by us all in the office when we receive feedback from clients skiing again is a joy that has been missed over the past 18 months. All the hard work is forgotten when we receive comments like.
“We have just stopped for lunch on our first day. I am so pleased we are skiing again, we missed it. Thank you for organising our holiday”. or “the last week in Val d’Isere reminded us why we love skiing holidays. Being spoilt in a chalet, the thrill of skiing, incredible views, mountain lunches….thank you for arranging another perfect week.”
I appreciate this is blowing our own trumpet but throughout the whole pandemic, the willingness for clients to go skiing never waned. They simply could not go. So, I am delighted to write that all ski resorts are fully open and travel restrictions are lifted. There are a few minor requirements for vaccinations or in some countries testing but these are minor inconveniences. Even better there are still three whole months of the winter to go so plenty of opportunities to get away this year.
With this fantastic news, we at JMP are seeing an increased demand for travel insurance.
We wanted to highlight the importance of insuring your winter holiday. Winter sports holidays can be exhilarating, fun, and relaxing but failing to prepare beforehand can make your skiing holiday go downhill quickly. According to a study carried out by the Association of British Travel Agents, over 30% of people going on a winter sports holiday do not have the correct type of holiday insurance in place. Neglecting important preparations, such as purchasing bespoke travel insurance, changes your holiday from enjoyable to stressful at the first sign of trouble. So before you leave, take the time to speak to us and discuss your travel insurance needs including your winter sports holidays.
Winter Sports Holiday Insurance
Even if you think that your winter holiday is covered by your current policy, make sure you check the wording. Participating in winter sport with the wrong policy can invalidate the entire policy. For that reason, you need to ensure that your policy includes the following:
- Cover for emergency medical treatment if you are injured or become ill. This should include:
- Mountain rescue expenses
- Helicopter evacuation costs
- Physiotherapy costs
- Cover for your specialist sporting equipment—skis, protective clothing, etc—in the event that it is lost, stolen, or damaged. Be aware that some policies require you to wear a helmet at all times. And, if you plan to hire equipment, include hire equipment costs in your travel insurance policy.
- Cover in the event your ski pass is lost or stolen.
- Cover in the event that the slopes are closed or are otherwise unsuitable for skiing. Some policies may include compensation for travel to an alternative site.
- Cover in the event of inclement weather—such as a blizzard or an avalanche—that either forces you to delay your holiday or makes the slopes unsuitable. Some policies may reimburse you for the cost of the trip if you are unable to ski.
- Cover for if you choose to go off-piste. To receive cover, some policies may require you to ski with a guide if you go off-piste.
A standard winter sports holiday insurance policy can offer you and your family peace of mind so that you are able to enjoy the slopes.
Contact our Private Client Team to learn more about how you can eliminate potential roadblocks and financial stresses to your next holiday.