The first lift of the morning is hard to beat. Fresh corduroy under your skis, crisp air and the whole day ahead of you. It's easy to forget, sitting up there, how quickly a winter holiday can go sideways. A bad fall on the second day. A storm that shuts the top of the mountain for half the week. A lift pass that slips out of a pocket somewhere between the gondola and the bar.

None of these scenarios are particularly unique, however they are all situations that your standard travel insurance is not built to handle. This is where our optional Winter Sports cover, available to add on to all our travel insurance policies, comes in.

What is Winter Sports cover?

Winter Sports is an add-on to your single or annual travel insurance policy, designed for the problems you really only run into while in the mountains. Think of it as an extra layer that sits on top of your standard policy.

Depending on your level of cover, it can help with things like:

• Emergency mountain rescue if you're injured on the slopes and need help getting off the hill
• Piste closure when bad weather or poor snow shuts the runs unexpectedly for more than 24 hours
• A lost ski pass, which can be surprisingly expensive to replace mid-week
• Your equipment, if your skis, board or boots are stolen or accidentally damaged

Limits and excesses vary, so it's always worth reading the policy wording to ensure you have the level of cover you require.

Doesn't my normal travel insurance cover skiing?

No, and this is where a lot of people get caught out. Skiing and snowboarding are rarely covered as standard, only when you add optional Winter Sports cover to your travel insurance policy.

What about skiing off-piste?

Fresh powder away from the groomed runs is a big part of the appeal for plenty of skiers and snowboarders. Several winter sports insurers will cover off-piste skiing, but usually only if you're with a qualified guide and stick to areas the resort considers safe. Head off on your own and you could find yourself without cover at exactly the moment you need it.

If you're planning anything beyond the pistes, it's worth booking a guide anyway. They know the terrain, where the avalanche risk is, and how the mountain changes from one day to the next. Snow safety advice also suggests carrying the right kit, such as a transceiver, probe and shovel, and importantly, knowing how to use it.

Annual or single trip: which suits you?

This mostly comes down to how often you ski. If you're on the slopes throughout the season, adding Winter Sports cover to one of our annual policies covers each trip for up to 31 days. That can suit keen skiers who fit in more than a one-week trip, or who might add a last-minute long weekend in the Alps when there's been a significant new snowfall.

If you are planning a one-off week, a single trip policy with a winter sports extension is likely to be the better fit. You pay for the trip you're taking and nothing more. It is worth looking at both single trip and annual multi trip policies to decide which option best suits your travel plans.

Things that could invalidate your cover

How you behave on the mountain matters. You risk your cover being invalid if you injure yourself, damage your equipment or hurt someone else while:

• Skiing after drinking. Alcohol slows your reactions and clouds your judgement, and it hits harder at altitude. A long lunch followed by a fast red run is a combination insurers take seriously.
• Not wearing a helmet. Helmets are standard kit now, and many policies expect you to wear one. In some places it's also the law.

Italy is a good example. From 1 November 2025, everyone on Italian slopes must wear a CE-certified helmet, whatever their age, and you can be fined or have your ski pass suspended if you don't. Italy also requires skiers to hold third-party liability insurance and has strict penalties for skiing under the influence. Rules differ from country to country, so check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for wherever you're heading before you go.

What other winter sports are covered?

Winter Sports cover isn't only for skiers and snowboarders. Once it's on your policy, plenty of other snow and ice activities are covered too, so an afternoon on the toboggan run or an evening at the ice rink won't leave you exposed.

On the slopes

• Skiing and snowboarding on piste
• Off-piste skiing and snowboarding within resort boundaries
• Mono-skiing and Nordic skiing
• Ski-blading, snow biking and snow shoe walking

On the ice

• Ice skating
• Ice hockey
• Sledges and toboggans
• Snow bobbing
• Kick sledging

Motorised and passenger activities*

• Ski-dooing
• Snowmobiling
• Snow carting
• Sledging or sleigh rides as a passenger, pulled by dogs, horses or reindeer

*These activities are covered, but without personal liability cover. That's the part of your policy that protects you if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property.

When we say piste, we mean a recognised and marked ski run within the resort boundaries. A few other rules apply across the board: professional sport, racing and competitions aren't covered, and Winter Sports cover isn't available to anyone aged 65 or over. You'll also need to follow local laws and use the recommended safety equipment.

Travel prepared

Most winter trips go without a hitch, but the mountains are unpredictable and it's always best to travel prepared. A few minutes sorting the right cover now means one less thing to worry about when you're standing at the top of the mountain, ready to enjoy your first run.

Get a quote and add Winter Sports cover to your AXA Travel Insurance today.