Nearly a third still travel uninsured
ABTA – formerly the Association of British Travel Agents – is urging skiers and snowboarders to stay safe on the slopes this half-term. As resorts gear up for one of the busiest weeks of the season; tens of thousands of Britons are expected to head to the slopes next week, with resorts in France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy among the most popular. Recent tragic incidents have highlighted the need for winter sports holidaymakers to familiarise themselves with safety information before they ski or snowboard and ABTA is reminding people to:
1. Wear a helmet
Skiers and snowboarders are also reminded about the importance of wearing a helmet on the slopes. There has been increased interest in ski safety – and much higher numbers wearing ski helmets but recent research has shown that worryingly a third of people are still skiing without helmets.
2. Get the right insurance
Almost a third of people (29%) taking a ski or snowboarding holiday this year will do so without the right travel insurance putting themselves at risk of high medical bills if they have an accident or get injured on the slopes. If you are planning to go off-piste or to undertake activities such as heli-skiing remember that many insurance policies won’t cover you for risk activities, skiing at certain altitudes, for damage to rental equipment or skiing off-piste without a guide.
3. Check weather forecasts and avalanche warnings
There have been a higher than average number of fatalities in the Alps this season with the majority of these tragic accidents occurring off-piste due to avalanches. Recent heavy snowfalls in European resorts have created fantastic conditions, however they have built an unstable snow base and the perfect environment for the creation of an avalanche. Many European resorts are displaying high avalanche warnings. This information is readily available in resort or online and should be consulted regularly as it can change from day to day.
4. Be aware of off-piste risks
When you go off-piste you leave the controlled area of the mountain, conditions are unknown and help may not be as available. If you go off-piste, exercise extreme caution, always go with an experienced guide and make sure you have the right equipment such as an avalanche transmitter and a shovel. Don’t ski alone, tell others where you are planning to go and have a method of communication such as a mobile phone or tracking device with you and carry some cash.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive, said: “Recent heavy snowfalls have created some fantastic conditions and lots of Brits will be looking forward to a great week of skiing, however they should be aware of the potential risks of such activities. Along with following safety advice, purchasing the right level of travel insurance, and checking that annual policies are extended to cover action sports should be a top priority for skiers and snowboarders.”