Award-Winning, Flexible
WINTER SPORTS TRAVEL INSURANCE
- Cover for skiing, snowboarding, & more
- Trusted by 75,000+ customers annually
- All pre-existing medical conditions considered
Underwritten by
Underwritten by AXA XL
Our Winter Sports Travel Insurance policy options
Put simply, we offer two different policy options…
Travel Insurance
Our Winter Sports Travel Insurance provides cover for over 500 sports, including many winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding. The policy includes cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation, trip cancellation & curtailment, lost or damaged baggage, and much more. Additional cover available for winter sports equipment and event entry fees.
Travel Insurance Bolt-On
If you have a travel insurance policy with another provider (such as your bank), but it does not include cover for winter sports, we can provide a bolt-on style of protection. The policy will provide cover specifically when you are taking part in your winter sport, with emergency medical expenses and repatriation insurance included as standard.
Our claims record
HIGHEST PAID CLAIM
£174,984.64
FOR AN INSURANCE CLAIM**
AVERAGE PAY OUT
£1,295.07
FOR EACH INSURANCE CLAIM**
OUR AVERAGE CLAIMS RATING
4.9/5
ACCORDING TO OUR FEEFO SCORE***
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Join thousands of winter sports enthusiasts who choose us every year
Or Call us on 01494 484800
Why choose our Winter Sports Travel Insurance
30 Years Experience
We have been providing tailored Sports Insurance policies for over 30 years, and today protect more than 75,000 customers a year.
Professional Claims Handling
We work with leading claims handlers to make sure our customers experience a prompt and professional service when making a claim.
Underwritten by Experts
We’re pleased to offer tailored cover from AXA XL, a leading provider of insurance in the sports and leisure industry.
UK Based Customer Service Team
Our highly experienced Sales team are available to help support you with any questions that you might have.
5-Star Customer Service Rating
Thousands of happy customers have awarded us a 5-star customer service score on the independent feedback platform, Feefo.
500+ Sports Covered
Being a specialist in Sports Insurance, we provide cover for over 500 different sports & activities, far more than other providers.
What is Winter Sports Travel Insurance?
Our Winter Sports Travel Insurance is designed to financially protect sports enthusiasts who are participating in a variety of winter related sports and activities abroad.
Whether you are looking for specific skiing insurance, snowboarding insurance, off-piste or ice-skating cover, at SportsCover Direct we can offer comprehensive insurance that will protect you whilst you are on the slopes.
Our Sports Travel Insurance policy includes cover for medical and repatriation costs, trip cancellation and curtailment, plus it can insure any lost, stolen or damaged skiing or sports equipment whilst on your trip.
You can choose the level of winter sports cover, that best suits your requirements, for example select a single or annual multi-trip basis. Compare prices when you get an instant quote for Winter Sports Cover.
Ensure you’re correctly covered before you hit the slopes!
What's covered with Winter Sports Insurance?
Winter sports bring the rush of the slopes and the freedom of the mountains, but with that excitement comes added risk. To stay protected, you’ll need solid travel insurance alongside specialist winter sports cover designed to give you the ultimate protection.
That’s why our travel insurance starts with the core protection you need, covering medical expenses, cancellations, travel delays and more.
Our sports travel insurance comes with specialist winter sports cover included. Choose from bronze, silver or gold levels, with cover for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country routes, ski racing and even amateur competitions.
Ensure you select all the activities you’re doing, when you get a quote.
Winter sports travel insurance
Your travel is covered with these core benefits, with gold being the highest level. Whilst unexpected incidents can’t always be avoided, with SportsCover Direct, you can be prepared and protected if they do.
- Emergency Medical Expenses & Repatriation – up to £10 million
- Cancellation & Curtailment – up to £5000
- Personal Accident cover – up to £25,000
- Personal Liability – up to £2 million
- Travel Delay, Abandonment and Missed Departure – up to £5000
- Baggage & personal effects – up to £2500
- Money & Documents (including passport) – up to £500
- 24 Hour medical helpline
Our policies provide three different types of cover: Sports travel insurance, Sports accident, and Activity Top-Up. Please ensure you select the most suitable cover for your activity, when you get a quote and always review your policy documents.
Specialist winter sports cover
Ski and Snowboard Equipment Cover
Your equipment, whether it belongs to you or is hired, is covered if it is stolen or damaged during your trip, to the value you select. We will cover the cost of repairs, the value of the lost or damaged item, or the cost of hiring replacement equipment so you can continue your holiday.
Upgrade our gold level equipment cover up to £5600 to ensure higher value items are covered.
For Single Trip policies, equipment is covered from the beginning of your holiday until the day you return home. For Annual policies, equipment is covered only while you are away, not between trips.
Equipment policy restrictions:
- Normal wear and tear is not included, nor is theft if your equipment was not securely locked away.
- Items lost by an airline or other carrier are also excluded.
- You are responsible for the first 10% of each claim, which is calculated before any excess is applied.
Activity Fees
If you are unable to take part in your chosen activities due to accident, illness or injury, we will reimburse the unused portion of your pre-paid costs. This includes lift passes, permits, tuition, registration or entry fees, and equipment hire. *This can include lift passes, ski lessons, ski hire and race fees if applicable.
Search and Rescue
If you require help in the mountains, we can cover the cost of official search and rescue services, including the use of sledges, helicopters and aircraft by civil or police teams.
Lack of Snow
If your resort is forced to close because of lack of snow or a natural disaster, such as an avalanche, you will be covered for additional expenses to move to another resort. If relocation is not possible, you can receive compensation. The maximum you can receive is listed; limits and daily and transport benefits will apply.
*See our Catastrophe benefit, when you get a quote, for further details.
Off-Piste Cover
You are covered for off-piste activities as long as you select this activity; follow local resort advice and are accompanied by at least one other person who can raise the alarm if needed. You do not need to be accompanied by a guide.
Discover the full extent of our cover
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How much does winter sports insurance cost?
Our winter sports travel insurance varies depending on length of trip, if you opt for single or an annual policy, the level of cover you select, either bronze, silver or gold, where you travel to (e.g Europe or USA), plus the age group you sit within. Pre-existing medical conditions will not typically impact your policy premium.
These are example quotes to highlight a single 8-day trip to Europe, selecting skiing or snowboarding as an activity.
Example quote: 8 Day single trip to Europe – Skiing or Snowboarding
- from £54.11 (bronze)*
- from £61.78 (silver)*
- from £74.90 (gold)*
*Prices based on a quote made 15/09/25. Excess may apply.
What other winter sports are covered?
Our specialist winter sports travel insurance policy will cover multiple winter sports, some may require additional cover, depending on the severity of risk.
- Skiing (on and off-piste)
- Snowboarding (on and off-piste)
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Ski Touring
- Snowmobiling
- Extreme winter sports such as ice climbing, heliskiing
- Sledding/toboganing
Select the activities you need when you get a quote online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard travel insurance policies do not always cover winter sports and activities. Our Winter Sports Travel Insurance is specifically designed to cover over 500 high risk activities such as skiing, dog sledding and ice climbing.
Our Winters Sports Travel Insurance policy provides up to £5,600 worth of equipment cover. This add-on not only protects your own winters sports equipment, but also any gear you hire during your trip. It also covers your winter sports equipment in transit to and from your destination.
Yes, our Winter Sports Travel Insurance can generally be taken out even if you have a medical condition. We can almost always offer cover at no extra cost, but occasionally our underwriters may apply special terms if you subsequently needed to make a claim relating to your condition.
Our policies will cover anyone up to the age of 74 at the time of purchase. An applicant aged 75 or over cannot be covered.
If you only need winter sports cover for a few days, you can opt for 2 different polices.
- Single trip cover – Sports travel insurance for the dates you need.
- Activity TopUp cover – If you already have travel insurance but need to add winter sports activities, you can purchase a bolt-on policy to cover you.
If you sustain an injury, whilst participating in a winter sport abroad and require medical treatment, this can be covered under medical expenses.
Yes, you are covered for your sports equipment and personal effects for theft and damage up to the value you select for your policy.
Yes, search and rescue is included in your travel policy.
Yes, if you select your activity with competitions, you are covered. For example, ski racing or snowboard racing. However, we cannot cover professional athletes.
No, we cannot cover professional athletes, we deem a professional to be anyone who makes over £5,000 a year from taking part in a sport or activity. Things like free or discounted accommodation, entry fees, or clothing don’t count as income. Also, anyone who has an employment contract (paid or unpaid), a sports scholarship, or whose main job is doing the sport or activity full-time.
A specialist winter sports policy offers additional protection for the unique risks associated with activities like skiing and snowboarding, both on and off-piste. These types of activities are not always covered, or fully covered, by standard travel insurance.
Our policy can cover a wide range of different winter sports including but not limited to: Skiing (on and off-piste), Snowboarding (on and off-piste), Snowshoeing, Cross-country skiing, Ski Touring, Snowmobiling, ice climbing, heliskiing, Sledding/tobogganing. Some activities will be subject to a larger premium, you can add your activities, when you request a quote.
It’s best to purchase winter sports insurance once you’ve booked your holiday to have full cover for your booking. Otherwise, you should purchase the policy before you travel.
Yes, if you select an annual policy you are covered for multiple trips, for winter sports our policy allows you up to 60 days with our gold cover.
You can select wither Europe, worldwide excluding the USA and Canada or Worldwide
Yes, when you get a quote, you can specify the number of people you need on your policy.
These costs can be covered, for example if you sustain an injury and are no longer able to participate in the activity.
* 10% online discount applies to our Sports Travel Insurance and Activity TopUp policies only.
** Data relates to all SportsCover Direct Insurance claims from Jan 2010 to Dec 2024 inclusive.
*** Feefo rating relates to all SportsCover Direct Insurance claims review score from Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 inclusive. Feefo score rounded up to 1 decimal place.
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