Back Country Ski Insurance Cover

back country

Want to explore away from the beaten track? Back country skiing offers superb terrain, unspoilt powder and lots of new challenges - so it requires specialist insurance too!

What Is Back Country Skiing?

If you thought back country was the same as off piste then you would be right! The main difference is that off piste tends to be a term used in Europe, whilst back country is used in the US. However in insurance terms there are real differences that relate to local rules and regulations. One example is that in some resorts in Colorado you are not allowed to access a back country ski area via a ski resort. If you do then the local police could be called.

Tips On Choosing Back Country Ski Insurance

Skiing back country is all about getting away from the crowded pistes and hordes of skiers and boarders but it does bring its problems. By definition skiing back country is viewed as a high risk activity and therefore insurers will charge you a premium for it. The main challenges when skiing back country are avalanches, weather, cliffs, rocks and of course trees. The main message is not to assume that standard ski insurance cover will cover you for back country, it will not! Look at the activities you are covered for and ensure that skiing back country with or without a ski guide is what you are covered for.

Why Bother With Ski Insurance At All?

If we forget back country for the moment, it is shocking that there are still people who go on a ski holiday without ski insurance. Many only depend on their EHIC card or general travel insurance. These simply will not be enough to cover you.

EHIC

EHIC is the European Health Insurance Card. It used to be called the E111 and is a reciprocal health agreement between European countries including Switzerland. This gives you access to state provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European economic area. You can apply for EHIC through the EHIC online application form, this is free of charge, so do beware as unofficial websites will try and charge you.

You cannot however rely solely on this on a ski holiday. The reason for this is that EHIC will not cover many of the things you may need should you have an accident on the slopes. So for example mountain rescue is not covered, nor is being flown back to the UK. Lost or stolen property is also not included. So for anyone skiing, EHIC alone may not cover you.

A normal travel insurance policy will also not cover you for a ski holiday. If you are unlucky enough to hurt yourself then those injuries can be quite serious. You may break a bone and need to be airlifted off the slopes which can run into thousands of pounds. Or you could cause a serious accident to another skier or boarder and be liable for their costs. Skiing and boarding are dangerous sports which can cause life threatening injuries, so always make sure you take out ski insurance.

Another consideration is your equipment. The equipment you use for skiing and boarding is expensive. If someone steals your board or skis then that could set you back thousands of pounds.

Back Country Cover

Once you have decided to take out ski insurance if you are planning to ski back country you then need to check that you are covered.  Most policies will list this separately. Do not assume that a general ski policy covers you. Here we list what you need to look out for.

Will You Be Skiing Back Country Alone or With a Guide?

Some policies will cover you for back country but will stipulate that you need to be with a guide. Some policies will also be picky about what they mean by a guide and how qualified they need to be. This means that if you go off alone you will not be covered. If you are not planning to use a guide do read the small print very carefully. It is never advisable to ski or board back country on your own. If you are travelling without friends then you may find groups in resort going back country. See if you can then join them so there are people there if you get into difficulty.

Always Follow Safety Guidelines

If you ski or board back country then an insurance company will consider that this adds extra danger to you. You will need to follow all guidelines and safety precautions with regard to avalanches and you will need to follow all local advice as to whether a part of the mountain is safe to ski in or not. If you do not follow this advice then your insurance policy could be invalidated.

What Other Activities Will You Be Doing?

If you want to ski back country then you may also want to try freestyling in a park, heli skiing and cat skiing. Again you will need to check if you are insured for these alongside the off piste.

Level of Cover

When looking at the detail of what is included in your policy, we would advise the following. Aim for at least £2m for medical expenses. This will cover you for repatriation to the UK and for getting you off the mountain should the worse happen. Look for £1m personal liability cover, this should cover you if it is deemed that you are liable for somebody else’s accident.

A final tip is to really check the small print of any policy. What looks cheap may for example come with a high excess making a claim not cost effective. For example some cheaper policies set excess levels at £200, lose your gloves and the policy isn’t really worth it.

General Safety Back Country

There are three key things to remember when skiing back country. Firstly, always check the avalanche risk. You will usually find avalanche risks online as well as at most lift stations. The risk will normally be scaled 1-5. Never ski or board back country on your own. Make sure you have all the safety gear you need including a helmet. And of course make sure you are insured.