- Around 6.5 million Brits are planning a ski/snow holiday this year
- 73% of those surveyed weren’t informed of the dangers of injury on their snow holiday
- 42% did not know that standard travel insurance does not include cover for winter sports
It’s that time of year again when Brits dust of the sallopettes, buy some last-minute thermals and head for the slopes to enjoy adventure and après ski. Some 6.5million Brits will be headed to colder climes skiing by the end of 2016. But despite the popularity – Brits have neglected essential preparation with inefficient insurance and a lack of knowledge on ski safety.
New research conducted by the UK’s leading holiday watchdog Holiday Travel Watch found that 73% of Brits know very little about safety on the slopes. Nearly a quarter added that they (22%) have never been advised on how to ensure equipment is fitted safely.
Half of winter sport holidaymakers said they never take out travel insurance for their vacation! And for those that do it could be redundant as more than four in ten (42%) of Brits didn’t know that standard travel insurance doesn’t include cover for winter sports.
A deeply concerning fact if recent studies are anything to go by. Around 17,000 British skiers will come home on crutches this year thanks to accidents on the slopes. Most will be rescued by helicopter, with around 3,500 skiers requiring an air ambulance to get them back to the UK. Even more worrying, around 22 will die from their injuries.*
Frank Brehany, Consumer Director of Holiday Travel Watch says: “As winter sports holidays become ever more popular it is vital that consumers take some responsibility for themselves and ensure that they are well prepared before they go and that they respect and understand the safety issues whilst away! Our survey reveals a deficit at the heart of this holiday-type. Holidaymakers must not limit themselves to the gloss of the brochure – do that research – understand that this is a very different type of holiday – if you take that simple step, this experience will reward you many times over!”
Effective planning and protection is key to a successful and smooth winter holiday experience. There could be all kinds of irritating consequences should you fail to do so. For further information or assistance please see Holiday Travel Watch
