Clear information, comprehensive cover and an easy purchasing process.
Ski Insurance
Get covered for all types of on and off-piste skiing activities, including cross-country skiing and snowboarding.
Customer reviews
Shared on Trustpilot
The insurance and payment process was smooth, straightforward and efficient.
The team quickly corrected my Antarctica cover and handled the replacement policy and refund.
I received all the information I needed to select the right policy, and the response was quick.
The team answered my questions and helped me make sure I had suitable cover for my trip.
Booking was simple, selecting the right package was easy, and everything felt efficient.
My questions were answered clearly and efficiently, and the purchase process was easy.
The high-altitude rescue cover was straightforward and included more protection than I expected.
Booking was simple, and the team quickly corrected my travel dates with clear communication.
When regional issues forced us to move our trip, the team changed our policy dates with plenty of support.
Clear terms, competitive pricing and suitable cover for a trekking trip in Nepal.
Finding suitable insurance for our high-altitude hikes in Peru was clear and easy.
17+
Winter sports activities
Helicopter
Approved evacuation
24/7
Emergency assistance
Is this cover right for your ski trip?
Rise & Shield can cover eligible skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, from traditional piste skiing to selected off-piste, touring and specialist snow activities.
Simply add Optional Winter Sports Cover when you buy your policy and make sure your planned activities meet any applicable safety, resort and activity conditions.
Some popular winter sports activities we can cover are shown below.
On-piste skiing
On-piste snowboarding
Off-piste skiing & snowboarding
Cross-country & Nordic skiing
Alpine ski touring
Terrain park skiing & snowboarding
Cat skiing
Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling & snow biking
Sledding & tobogganing
This is not a complete list. Optional Winter Sports Cover must be included in your policy for these activities. Some winter sports have specific safety, location, guide or equipment requirements and exclusions. Check your planned activities before travelling. Terms, limits, conditions, exclusions and excesses apply.
What can our ski insurance cover?
Depending on your chosen plan, Rise & Shield can provide cover for some of the most important risks surrounding skiing.
What's not included in this policy?
Our Winter Sports Cover does not extend to:
Skiing or winter sports outside the covered season: trips outside 1 November–30 April in the Northern Hemisphere or 1 May–30 September in the Southern Hemisphere are excluded.
Activities that fall outside the policy rules: including professional or competitive participation, or activities where required resort, safety, guide or equipment conditions are not followed.
Rise & Shield is trusted by reputable tour operators and adventure companies
Why choose Rise & Shield for ski insurance?
Skiing and winter sports can bring risks that go beyond an ordinary holiday, from injuries on the slopes and changing mountain conditions to emergency evacuation and disrupted travel.
Rise & Shield specialises in insurance for adventurous travel, with 24/7 emergency assistance, trusted relationships across the adventure travel industry, and the reassurance of an FCA-regulated insurance provider whose programme is reinsured at Lloyd’s of London.
Do I need to add Winter Sports Cover?
Yes. If skiing, snowboarding or another listed winter sport forms part of your trip, you must select Optional Winter Sports Cover when you buy your policy.
Make sure the add-on appears on your policy documents before you take part in any winter sports activity.
Is off-piste skiing and snowboarding covered?
Yes. Eligible off-piste skiing and snowboarding can be covered when Winter Sports Cover is included and local safety guidelines and warnings are followed.
A guide is not required for every off-piste run. However, where local rules require a guide you must follow that requirement, and inexperienced skiers should not go off-piste without supervision.
Are my skis, hired equipment and ski pass covered?
Winter Sports Cover extends baggage protection to eligible owned or hired skis and ski equipment, including damage or loss while the equipment is in use.
Your ski pass is also included. Benefit limits, depreciation, security requirements, policy conditions and applicable excesses still apply.
What if I get injured or ill and cannot ski?
If a medical practitioner at the ski resort certifies that you cannot ski because of an eligible injury or sudden and unforeseen illness during your trip, the policy may help with qualifying unused ski-pack costs.
Any payment is proportionate to the unused portion and remains subject to the applicable policy limit and conditions.
What if the pistes close or an avalanche disrupts my trip?
If lack of snow causes the entire lift system at your pre-booked resort to close for more than 12 hours, a specific Piste Closure benefit may apply.
A separate Avalanche or Landslide benefit may help with reasonable additional travel and accommodation costs when scheduled public transport is cancelled or curtailed. Different conditions and limits apply to each benefit.
Is skiing covered throughout the year?
No. Winter Sports Cover is limited to recognised winter seasons: 1 November to 30 April in the Northern Hemisphere and 1 May to 30 September in the Southern Hemisphere.
Trips involving winter sports outside those periods are excluded from the Winter Sports Cover.
Is helicopter rescue covered?
An eligible helicopter evacuation may be covered when it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.
The assistance team decides the appropriate evacuation method and provider based on your circumstances. A separate medical helicopter rescue excess applies.
How can I get online ski holiday insurance?
Getting covered with Rise & Shield's ski holiday insurance is a breeze.
Follow these simple steps to secure your winter sports adventure:
01
Get a Quote: Start by entering your trip details to receive a personalised quote.
02
Customise Your Plan: Tailor the coverage options to meet your specific needs.
03
Receive Instant Confirmation:Purchase and instantly receive your policy details via email.
Ski insurance FAQs
Does travel insurance cover skiing?
It can, but skiing is often treated as a specialist activity rather than part of ordinary holiday cover. With Rise & Shield, you need to add Optional Winter Sports Cover for eligible skiing, snowboarding and other listed winter sports.
Do I need to add Winter Sports Cover for a ski holiday?
Yes. If you plan to take part in an activity classified as Winter Sports, the optional Winter Sports Cover must be included in your policy. Check that it appears in your policy documents before taking part.
Does ski insurance cover on-piste skiing?
Yes. On-piste skiing and snowboarding are listed under Rise & Shield's Winter Sports Cover, subject to the general policy and activity conditions.
Does ski insurance cover snowboarding?
Yes. Eligible conventional snowboarding can be covered with Optional Winter Sports Cover. Both on-piste and qualifying off-piste snowboarding are included in the current activity wording.
Is off-piste skiing covered?
Yes, eligible off-piste skiing and snowboarding can be covered. You must follow the rules of the resort or area, observe local safety guidance and warnings, and use a guide where local rules require one.
Do I always need a guide for off-piste skiing?
No. The policy specifically says that skiing or snowboarding with a guide is not automatically a condition of cover.
However, you must follow resort regulations or the International Ski Federation code, take appropriate local advice before entering backcountry areas and use a guide where local rules require one. Inexperienced skiers should not go off-piste without guide supervision.
Does ski insurance cover backcountry skiing?
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding are listed within the Winter Sports activities, but additional conditions apply. You must follow local rules and safety advice, use appropriate rescue equipment and satisfy any guide or safety-equipment requirements applying to your activity.
Is alpine ski touring covered?
Yes. Alpine ski touring is an eligible Winter Sports activity when undertaken with the required professional, qualified and licensed guide or operator and the other applicable policy conditions are met.
Is cat skiing covered?
Yes. Cat skiing is included among the Winter Sports activities. The current policy's Winter Sports section describes it as being undertaken with a qualified local guide, and the applicable safety-equipment requirements must also be followed.
Is cross-country skiing covered?
Yes. Cross-country skiing is included with Winter Sports Cover when it is undertaken on designated cross-country ski routes and the applicable activity conditions are followed.
Is Nordic skiing covered?
Yes. Nordic skiing is included within the current Winter Sports activities, subject to the normal policy terms and applicable activity conditions.
Are ski and snowboard terrain parks covered?
Terrain park skiing and snowboarding within a resort are listed under Winter Sports Cover. However, the policy separately excludes freestyle skiing or snowboarding, jumping, acrobatics, stunting, racing and similar activities, so using a terrain park does not mean every trick or feature is automatically covered.
Are ski instructor courses covered?
Yes. Ski instructor courses are listed as an eligible Winter Sports activity, subject to the applicable professional-instructor/operator condition.
This should not be confused with working professionally as a ski instructor, which is treated differently under the activity exclusions.
Is snowshoeing covered?
Yes. Snowshoeing is listed under Winter Sports Cover. Your activity must still comply with the policy's general safety and activity requirements.
Is snowmobiling covered?
Eligible snowmobiling can be covered with Winter Sports Cover when it takes place within resort boundaries. Remote areas, racing, time trials and endurance events are excluded. Any legally required licence and safety requirements must also be met.
Is snow biking covered?
Yes. Snow biking on or off piste within resort boundaries is listed under Winter Sports Cover. Remote-area use and competitive or endurance use are excluded under the current activity wording.
Are sledding and tobogganing covered?
Eligible sledding, tobogganing, snow sledding and snow sleigh activities are listed under Winter Sports Cover when undertaken on snow and the applicable safety conditions and exclusions are met.
Does ski insurance cover freestyle skiing, jumps or tricks?
No. The current activity exclusions include freestyle skiing and snowboarding, ski or snowboard jumping, ski-flying, acrobatics and stunting.
Is ski racing covered?
No. Ski and snowboard racing, competitions and national-squad training are specifically excluded. Activities are also generally covered on an amateur basis rather than for professional or semi-professional participation.
Can professional skiers use this cover?
Not for professional or semi-professional participation. The activities section excludes competitions and tournaments undertaken on a professional or semi-professional basis.
When does Rise & Shield's winter sports season run?
Winter Sports Cover applies to trips in the Northern Hemisphere from 1 November to 30 April, and in the Southern Hemisphere from 1 May to 30 September. Trips outside those seasonal periods are excluded from Winter Sports Cover.
Can I ski outside the recognised winter season?
Not under the Optional Winter Sports Cover. Trips outside 1 November–30 April in the Northern Hemisphere or 1 May–30 September in the Southern Hemisphere are specifically excluded.
Does ski insurance cover emergency medical treatment?
Eligible emergency medical expenses arising from a sudden and unforeseen illness or injury during your insured trip may be covered, subject to your selected plan's limits, policy terms, exclusions and excesses. Your winter sports activity must also meet the relevant activity conditions.
Is helicopter rescue covered while skiing?
An eligible medical helicopter evacuation may be covered where it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Centre. The assistance team determines the appropriate evacuation method and provider.
Is there an excess for helicopter rescue?
Yes. Under the current policy, a separate helicopter-rescue excess when you need to be rescued by helicopter for medical reasons.
Can I arrange my own helicopter rescue and claim it back?
You should contact the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Centre before arranging a helicopter evacuation whenever circumstances allow. Helicopter evacuations require pre-approval, and the assistance team decides the medically appropriate method and provider.
What happens if an injury means I can no longer ski?
Winter Sports Cover includes an Inability to Ski benefit. If a medical practitioner at the ski resort certifies that you are unable to ski because of an eligible bodily injury or sudden and unforeseen illness during the trip, a proportionate refund of qualifying unused ski-pack costs may be available up to the applicable limit.
Are unused ski lessons, hire or ski-pack costs covered if I get injured?
Qualifying unused ski-pack costs may be considered under the Inability to Ski benefit when the policy conditions are met. A certificate from the attending doctor is required for claims involving unused ski pack or ski hire following illness or bodily injury.
Are my own skis covered if they are lost, stolen or damaged?
Yes, eligible owned skis and ski equipment can be covered under Winter Sports Cover, subject to the applicable benefit limits, policy conditions, depreciation and excess.
Is hired or rented ski equipment covered?
Yes. Unlike ordinary baggage cover, the Winter Sports section specifically extends protection to eligible skis and ski equipment that belong to you or are hired to you, subject to the applicable terms and limits.
Is ski equipment covered while I am using it?
Yes. The current Winter Sports wording specifically states that skis and ski equipment are covered against eligible damage or loss while in use, subject to the rest of the policy terms and limits.
Are skis covered when they are carried on a car roof rack?
The policy specifically provides for skis when they are locked to a roof rack, provided the roof rack itself is locked to the roof of the vehicle.
Does ski insurance cover my ski pass?
Yes. Winter Sports Cover extends the Personal Luggage section to include your ski pass, subject to the relevant policy limits and conditions.
How does depreciation work for damaged ski equipment?
Compensation for eligible damaged ski equipment is based on its age. Under the current schedule, equipment less than one year old is assessed at 85% of original cost, with the percentage reducing as equipment gets older. Equipment over five years old receives no compensation under this schedule.
Does ski insurance cover piste closure because there is no snow?
Potentially, yes. If lack of snow causes a total closure of the lift system at your pre-booked resort and skiing is impossible for more than 12 hours, the Piste Closure benefit may provide a daily amount towards travelling to another resort, or a daily benefit where no alternative resort is available. A written report from a resort official is required.
Is piste closure because of an avalanche covered?
Not under the Piste Closure benefit. The current Winter Sports exclusions specifically exclude claims arising from closure of the lift system due to avalanches. Avalanches and landslides have a separate benefit relating to qualifying disruption of scheduled public transport.
Are lift closures caused by high winds covered?
Not under the Piste Closure benefit. Claims arising from closure of the Winter Sports lift system because of dangerously high winds are specifically excluded.
What does the avalanche or landslide benefit cover?
If an avalanche or landslide causes scheduled public transport services to be cancelled or curtailed, the Winter Sports section may reimburse eligible reasonable additional accommodation and travel expenses, up to the applicable benefit limit.
Can I cancel my ski holiday because the snow conditions are poor?
Not simply because of adverse weather or disappointing snow conditions. The general Cancellation and Curtailment section excludes losses arising directly or indirectly from adverse weather. The separate Winter Sports Piste Closure benefit has its own specific rules for lack of snow after you reach your pre-booked resort.
Do I have to wear a helmet while skiing?
You must follow the policy's safety requirements, local rules and the requirements applying to your particular activity. The activities conditions require recommended safety equipment and protective clothing to be used, and some winter sports specifically carry a helmet or appropriate-safety-gear condition.
Does ski insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Claims arising from medical conditions defined by the current policy as pre-existing are excluded. A person's ability or medical clearance to ski does not by itself override the travel insurance policy's medical exclusions.
Can I add Winter Sports Cover to an Annual Multi-Trip policy?
Yes. Rise & Shield offers Optional Winter Sports Cover alongside both Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip options. The normal maximum duration and other conditions applying to each individual annual-policy trip still need to be observed.
Can one policy cover skiing and other adventure activities?
Potentially, yes. You can add Winter Sports Cover for eligible skiing and snow activities and select other activity add-ons where required for the rest of your itinerary. Each planned activity should be checked individually because different conditions and exclusions can apply.
What should I look for in the best ski travel insurance?
Look beyond a policy simply saying that “winter sports” are included. Check the exact skiing and snowboarding activities covered, off-piste conditions, emergency medical and evacuation provisions, ski-equipment and hired-equipment protection, ski-pass cover, inability-to-ski benefits, piste-closure rules, seasonal limits and exclusions for racing, freestyle or specialist activities.
When should I buy ski travel insurance?
It is generally sensible to arrange your insurance once your ski holiday is booked so any eligible pre-departure cancellation protection can begin.
Before buying, check all the winter sports you intend to do and make sure Optional Winter Sports Cover and any other required add-ons appear on your policy.
How do I check whether my exact winter sport is covered?
Use the Rise & Shield activity list to check each planned activity individually. Similar-looking snow activities can have different requirements, so do not assume that cover for ordinary skiing automatically extends to every form of skiing, snowboarding or motorised winter sport. Your completed quote and policy documents remain the final basis of cover.
Other useful skiing resources
FIS Code of Conduct for Skiers & Snowboarders
You might also need this travel insurance
Popular activities
Popular destinations
©2026 Rise & Shield. All rights reserved.
Rise and Shield is a trading style of Optimum Global Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Optimum Global Limited’s Firm Reference Number is 453654, you can check these details at https://register.fca.org.uk or by calling the Financial Conduct Authority on 0800 111 6768. . Registered address: Optimum Global Limited, 4th Floor, 21 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3TP, UK. Optimum Global Limited is registered in England and Wales. Company Registration number 05347793.