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For our second Post Office Travel Insurance Winter Sports Survey, we partnered with Censuswide to ask 2,000 UK adults if they’d be heading on a winter holiday.
Their answers reveal what the nation loves about winter holidays. But they also show many aren’t prepared should a winter sports trip go ‘downhill’. Almost a third of those injured on a winter holiday said they’d had insufficient travel insurance cover when it happened (32%).
It can be overwhelming deciding which destination to travel to for your winter sports holiday, but we are here to ‘Alp’ you.
In our survey, Western Europe emerged as the most popular destination for winter sports. A third (33%) chose the region as their favourite destination. North America came second (16%), followed by East Europe (16%), Asia (13%), Oceania (9%) and Latin America (7%).
25–34-year-olds are the most likely to head to Western Europe (37%) for winter sports. 35–44-year-olds were most likely to enjoy trips to North America (21%). And 16–24-year-olds were most likely to take their winter holidays in Eastern Europe (21%) and Asia (26%).
At the time of our survey, the winter sports activities the nation looked most likely to take up this winter were:
While these winter activities are heaps of fun, they are extreme sports – which means the risk of an accident or injury is higher than on your typical getaway. Over half (53%) of those who’d taken a winter holiday previously ended up injured. These injuries ranged from bruises and blisters to broken legs and fractured collar bones.
There is also a risk of damage to – and loss or theft of – the expensive equipment needed to participate in winter activities. You may also need to consider gadget cover for items like phones, drones or GoPros that may be more likely to get lost, stolen or damaged on the slopes.
Despite the risks involved, many fail to buy sufficient winter sports cover – with a third of those who got injured reporting they had insufficient travel insurance (32%).
Their main reasons for buying insufficient travel insurance for winter sports were:
It’s essential to check your policy to make sure you and your family have the right cover, including any medical travel insurance you need.
According to our respondents, most winter sports accidents happen getting on or off the ski lifts (25%). That’s followed by off-piste slopes (25%) and simply walking around the resort (24%).
Worryingly, 69% of those who have been injured on a winter holiday had consumed alcoholic drinks – with 41% having several. Our research found 67% were unaware that being under the influence of alcohol could invalidate their travel insurance.
It also emerged 63% were unaware they needed to wear safety equipment as part of their policy. Also concerning, just 24% say they buy or rent safety gear relevant to their winter sport regardless of their ability.
But it isn’t just alcohol and failure to wear safety equipment that could invalidate travel insurance. Many were unaware of the following conditions found in most standard annual multi-trip travel insurance and single-trip travel insurance packages:
Check the terms and conditions of your policy and decide if you need any additional add-ons like ski holiday insurance. This will mean you’ll be far better prepared and protected for the unexpected should it all go downhill.
Also called 'winter sports cover,' it offers protection for a variety of snowbound activities. This can vary by provider, but may include off-piste skiing within resort boundaries and in recognised areas, lost, damaged or stolen ski equipment and piste closure.
In addition to ensuring winter travel insurance is sufficient, those who embark on winter holidays should employ other safeguards to minimise the risk of accidents. Only 30% do their homework to understand routes and maps and identify areas to avoid that are beyond their ability. In contrast, 28% seek guidance on their ability level and remain within their advised limits. And 26% choose not to challenge themselves beyond what they’re capable of.
Those looking to take out travel insurance with winter sports outlined the most important aspects they look for before buying:
Just 10% said cover for public liability was the most important feature of winter sports travel insurance. This is despite the high-profile publicity around the Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash trial in 2023, highlighting the importance of having public liability cover should anyone accuse you of causing injury to them in the event of a ski slope collision.
The case saw the ‘Iron Man’ and ‘She Said’ actress accused of causing injuries to Terry Sanderson from reckless skiing – accusations she was vindicated of following the court case.
The cost of travel insurance for skiing is likely to be significantly lower than the expense of having to pay compensation should you be found legally liable for accidentally injuring someone or damaging their ski equipment. Depending on insurer, it may be simpler than expected to make a claim on your travel insurance.
Around a quarter (26%) of the nation now prefer a wintery trip to sitting on a sun lounger for two weeks. This figure rises to 40% amongst Gen Z and millennials (16–44-year-olds).
It really is a winterful life for those who enjoy the cold season, with the top reasons given for going away as follows:
For many planning trips this year, it will be their first time heading for the mountains. Judging from our survey, some 62% of people in the UK have never gone skiing before.
If booking a winter sports trip is on your mind, the Post Office Travel Money Ski Report is a great place to start. It highlights the best value ski resorts in Europe based on the combined cost of items such as lift passes, equipment hire, tuition and refreshments for couples and families.
Remember to check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for your destination regularly, as travelling against this advice may invalidate your holiday insurance.
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement like car insurance for drivers. But it is recommended to protect against any issues you might encounter abroad or during your travels.
If you’re visiting destinations in the EU, a valid Ghic or Ehic will provide a level of free or low-cost medical care should you need it. But they won’t cover eventualities like emergency rescue, repatriation to the UK, or valuables if they’re lost, stolen or damaged.
For some countries, travel insurance may be mandatory, and specific cover add-ons may be required for activities such as winter sports.
Travel cover can help with:
Cover can vary though, so it’s always worth looking at the wording on your particular policy. And if you’re going skiing or snowboarding, or embarking on a cruise, you may need specialist cover. The same applies if you’re planning on taking part in particular sports or activities that regular policies may not cover.
Depending on your provider, it may also be possible to select optional add-on cover such as:
Winter sports are very physical. Standard insurance policies may not cover all the eventualities that can happen when you're skiing or snowboarding. Always check your policy in detail before your trip, as some providers only consider claims if you have the right add-on.
Travel insurance can help protect you should the worst happen on your holiday. While every policy differs and others may specialise, here's what a winter sports policy could include:
Read our article on the risks of travelling without insurance.
While travel insurance can cover some sports activities, other riskier sports may require a different add-on. These could include:
There can be certain restrictions in your policy, such as depth dived or height jumped. Ignoring these may mean you’re not covered for accident or personal liability.
For our winter sports insurance survey, we partnered with Censuswide to survey a nationally representative sample of 2,000 people.
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