Skiers urged to get insurance

By Paul Donovan

Skiers could end up with huge medical or repatriation bills if they have neglected to take out adequate travel insurance, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned.

There are many risks associated with skiing, but still nearly one third of people do not take out insurance for ski trips.

Meanwhile, the sensible travellers who do buy cover have been urged to check the small print.

Two-thirds of people do not realise many travel insurance policies do not cover accidents which happen off-piste.

The new figures also reveal some confusion around European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs). Only 53 per cent of people understand what cover an EHIC provides. Many people wrongly believe that the card covers a helicopter ambulance, medical repatriation and transport off the slope with ski patrol and 34 per cent of those surveyed said they didn't know.

The FCO is also warning Brits to avoid the temptation to drink before hitting the slopes, after providing support in a number of recent fatalities which were a direct result of excess alcohol consumption.