Winter sports travel insurance · UK
Ski insurance 2026/27: winter sports cover compared
Standard travel insurance usually excludes skiing, and a GHIC won't pay for mountain rescue or a flight home. Here is what 4 UK insurers say their winter sports cover includes, side by side, so you can pick a policy and get a quote.
Check skiing is included
Standard policies usually exclude winter sports.
Off-piste needs a guide
Most policies only cover off-piste with a guide or instructor.
Rental kit and ski pack
Check hired equipment and unused lift passes are covered.
Winter sports cover compared
Explorer Travel Insurance
Winter sports single-trip and annual multi-trip policies
Best for: Skiers who want off-piste with a guide and high medical cover
- Ski equipment
- Protection for your equipment
- Piste closure
- Compensation if the piste is closed due to lack of snow
- Off-piste
- Included when accompanied by a guide or instructor
- Ski pack / lift pass
- Not stated
- Avalanche delay
- Not stated
- Medical expenses
- Up to £10 million medical expenses
Cedar Tree Travel Insurance
Winter sports added to a Cedar Tree travel policy
Best for: The most detailed winter add-on: ski pack, closures and avalanche delay
- Ski equipment
- Accidental loss, theft or damage of owned or hired ski equipment, plus replacement hire (including bags lost in transit over 24 hours)
- Piste closure
- Resort skiing closed by lack of snow, too much snow or an avalanche (outside the UK, in the published season; not cross-country)
- Off-piste
- Not stated
- Ski pack / lift pass
- Unused ski pack (ski school, lift pass, hired equipment) after accident, injury or illness
- Avalanche delay
- Extra accommodation (room only) and transport if delayed 24 hours or more by an avalanche or landslide
- Medical expenses
- Not stated
Outbacker Insurance
Winter sports add-on pack for backpacker policies
Best for: Backpackers and gap-year travellers adding a ski trip to a longer journey
- Ski equipment
- Winter sports equipment and equipment hire
- Piste closure
- Piste closure
- Off-piste
- Not stated
- Ski pack / lift pass
- Lift pass and ski pack
- Avalanche delay
- If an avalanche delays your arrival at or departure from your resort
- Medical expenses
- Not stated
Insure & Escape
Winter sports cover added to single-trip or annual policies
Best for: Families booking ski or snowboard trips
- Ski equipment
- Not stated
- Piste closure
- Not stated
- Off-piste
- Not stated
- Ski pack / lift pass
- Not stated
- Avalanche delay
- Not stated
- Medical expenses
- Not stated
From each insurer's own page, checked 10 October 2026. “Not stated” means the page didn't say, not that it isn't covered. Limits, excesses and eligibility are in each policy wording; read it before buying.
Explorer Travel Insurance
Best for: skiers who want off-piste with a guide and high medical cover.
Source: insurer's winter sports pageCedar Tree Travel Insurance
Best for: the most detailed winter add-on: ski pack, closures and avalanche delay.
Source: insurer's winter sports pageOutbacker Insurance
Best for: backpackers and gap-year travellers adding a ski trip to a longer journey.
Source: insurer's winter sports pageInsure & Escape
Best for: families booking ski or snowboard trips.
Source: insurer's winter sports pageBefore you buy
- Make sure winter sports are named on the policy for every day you ski.
- Check off-piste terms: most need a guide or instructor with you.
- Check whether hired skis, boots and boards are covered, and the excess.
- Many policies require a helmet; check the wording.
- If you have a GHIC, still buy insurance: it does not cover mountain rescue or repatriation.
Frequently asked questions
Does normal travel insurance cover skiing?
Usually not. GOV.UK says winter sports are not normally included in standard policies, so you need a policy that includes skiing or a winter sports add-on for every day on the slopes.
Does a GHIC cover skiing accidents?
Only medically necessary state healthcare in the countries where it is valid. It does not cover mountain rescue, being flown home or private treatment, so winter sports travel insurance is still needed.
Am I covered off-piste?
It depends on the policy. Explorer states off-piste is included when you are accompanied by a guide or instructor. Many policies exclude off-piste without a guide, so check the wording before you go.
Is rented ski equipment covered?
Cedar Tree states it covers owned or hired ski equipment against accidental loss, theft or damage, and Outbacker lists equipment hire protection in its winter add-on. Check limits and excesses in each policy.
What is piste closure cover?
It pays out if lack of snow (and, for some insurers, too much snow or an avalanche) closes the skiing in your resort during its published season. Explorer, Cedar Tree and Outbacker all list it.
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