Clear information, comprehensive cover and an easy purchasing process.
Winter Sports Insurance
Looking for winter sports insurance? Get comprehensive winter sports insurance for skiing, snowboarding, and more. Quick & easy.
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17+
Winter sports activities
Helicopter
Approved evacuation
24/7
Emergency assistance
Is this cover right for your winter sports trip?
Rise & Shield can cover eligible skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, from traditional piste holidays to selected off-piste, touring, sledding and specialist snow activities.
Simply add Optional Winter Sports Cover when you buy your policy and make sure each planned activity meets any applicable safety, location, guide, equipment or activity conditions.
Some popular winter sports activities we can cover are shown below.
On-piste skiing & snowboarding
Off-piste skiing & snowboarding
Backcountry skiing & snowboarding
Cross-country & Nordic skiing
Alpine ski touring
Cat skiing
Terrain park skiing & snowboarding
Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling & snow biking
Sledding & tobogganing
Snow rafting & tubing
Snowblading
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, route or equipment requirements and exclusions. Check each planned activity before travelling. Terms, limits, conditions, exclusions and excesses apply.
What can our winter sports insurance cover?
Depending on your chosen plan, Rise & Shield can provide cover for some of the most important risks surrounding winter sports.
What's not included in this policy?
Our Winter Sports Cover does not extend to:
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 winter sports insurance?
Winter sports can bring risks that go beyond an ordinary holiday, from injuries on the slopes and changing mountain conditions to emergency evacuation, travel disruption and specialist activities.
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 you plan to take part in an activity classified as Winter Sports, you must select Optional Winter Sports Cover when you buy your policy.
Make sure the add-on appears on your policy documents before taking part in any listed winter sports activity.
Which winter sports can be covered?
Winter Sports Cover includes listed activities such as skiing, snowboarding, cross-country and Nordic skiing, alpine ski touring, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow biking, sledding and more.
Different activities can have different guide, location, route, licence or safety-equipment conditions, so check each activity individually before travelling.
Is off-piste and backcountry skiing or 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.
Eligible backcountry and outside-resort-boundary skiing or snowboarding can also be covered, but you should take local advice and carry appropriate rescue equipment before entering backcountry areas.
Do I always need a guide for winter sports?
No. A guide is not automatically required for conventional skiing or snowboarding, but you must follow resort regulations or the International Ski Federation code.
Some specific activities do require a professional, qualified and licensed guide or operator, and you must also use one wherever local rules require it.
Are racing, freestyle, jumps or tricks covered?
No. The current activity exclusions include competitions, freestyle skiing or snowboarding, ski or snowboard jumping, ski-flying, acrobatics, stunting and racing.
National-squad training and the use of skeletons are also excluded under the current winter sports activity wording.
When does Winter Sports Cover apply?
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 Optional 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 do I buy winter sports travel insurance online?
Getting covered with Rise & Shield is easy. Follow these simple steps to secure your trip:
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.
Winter sports insurance FAQs
What is winter sports travel insurance?
Winter sports travel insurance is travel insurance designed to cover eligible activities such as skiing, snowboarding and other listed snow sports that may fall outside ordinary holiday cover.
With Rise & Shield, eligible activities classified as Winter Sports require Optional Winter Sports Cover to be selected and shown on your policy documents.
Do I need to add Winter Sports Cover?
Yes. If an activity is classified as Winter Sports, the optional cover must be selected, the relevant premium paid and the cover shown on your Validation Certificate or Invoice.
Which winter sports can Rise & Shield cover?
The current activity list includes activities such as on-piste and off-piste skiing and snowboarding, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, alpine ski touring, cross-country and Nordic skiing, cat skiing, snowblading, terrain parks, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow biking, sledding, tobogganing, snow rafting and tubing. Individual conditions and exclusions can differ.
Does every activity on snow or ice require Winter Sports Cover?
No. Activities are classified individually, so an activity taking place in winter or on snow or ice does not automatically mean it uses the Winter Sports add-on.
Check the current Rise & Shield Activity Checker for each activity rather than assuming the same cover applies to everything on your itinerary.
Is on-piste skiing and snowboarding covered?
Yes. Eligible conventional on-piste skiing and snowboarding are listed under Winter Sports Cover, subject to the applicable policy and activity conditions.
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 observed.
Is backcountry skiing and snowboarding covered?
Yes. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding are listed as Winter Sports activities.
You should take appropriate local advice before entering backcountry areas and carry appropriate rescue equipment.
Can I ski or snowboard outside resort boundaries?
Potentially, yes. The current activity table specifically includes eligible backcountry and outside-resort-boundary skiing and snowboarding, subject to the relevant conditions and exclusions.
Do I always need a guide for skiing or snowboarding?
No. A guide is not automatically a condition of conventional skiing or snowboarding cover.
You must follow resort regulations or the International Ski Federation code, take local advice before entering backcountry areas and use a guide wherever the activity or local rules require one.
What if I am inexperienced at off-piste skiing or snowboarding?
The Winter Sports conditions say inexperienced participants should not go off-piste except under the supervision of a guide. You must also follow sensible local practices and the rules of the resort or area.
Is alpine ski touring covered?
Yes. Alpine ski touring is listed under Winter Sports Cover and requires a professional, qualified and licensed guide or operator under the applicable activity condition.
Is cat skiing covered?
Yes. Cat skiing is included within the Winter Sports section. The detailed Winter Sports wording states that it must be undertaken with a qualified local guide, together with the applicable safety requirements.
Is cross-country skiing covered?
Yes. Cross-country skiing can be covered with Winter Sports Cover when undertaken on a designated cross-country ski route and the applicable activity conditions are met.
Is Nordic skiing covered?
Yes. Nordic skiing is included within the current Winter Sports wording, subject to the general policy and applicable activity conditions.
Is snowblading covered?
Yes. Snowblading is currently listed as a Winter Sports activity and is subject to the conventional skiing/snowboarding condition and relevant exclusions.
Is dry-slope skiing or snowboarding covered?
Yes. Conventional skiing and snowboarding on a dry slope are currently listed under Winter Sports Cover, subject to the applicable conditions and exclusions.
Is snowshoeing covered?
Yes. Snowshoeing is listed within the current Winter Sports activities. The normal safety requirements and other policy terms still apply.
Is snowmobiling covered?
Eligible snowmobiling can be covered with Winter Sports Cover when undertaken within the permitted area.
The current activity wording excludes remote areas, racing, time trials and endurance events. Applicable licence and safety requirements must also be followed.
Is snow biking covered?
Yes. Snow biking on or off-piste within resort boundaries is listed within Winter Sports Cover. Remote-area, racing, time-trial and 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 activity conditions and exclusions are met.
Are snow rafting and snow tubing covered?
Yes. Snow rafting and tubing on snow are currently listed as Winter Sports activities. The activity carries additional guide and activity conditions, so the exact requirements should be checked before taking part.
Are ski and snowboard terrain parks covered?
Terrain-park skiing and snowboarding within a resort are listed under Winter Sports Cover.
However, freestyle skiing or snowboarding, jumping, acrobatics, stunting and racing are separately excluded, so being inside a terrain park does not mean every feature or manoeuvre is covered.
Is freestyle skiing or snowboarding covered?
No. Freestyle skiing and snowboarding are specifically excluded under the current activity exclusions.
Are ski or snowboard jumps, tricks and stunts covered?
No. Ski or snowboard jumping, ski-flying, acrobatics and stunting are specifically excluded.
Is winter sports racing or competition covered?
No. Ski and snowboard racing, competition and national-squad training are specifically excluded. Activities are also generally covered on an amateur basis rather than for professional or semi-professional competition.
Can professional winter sports athletes use this cover?
Not for professional or semi-professional competition or tournaments. The activities section provides cover on an amateur basis and specifically excludes professional or semi-professional competitive participation.
Do I need to use safety equipment?
Yes. The activities conditions require you to follow applicable safety procedures and rules and use recommended safety equipment and protective clothing.
Individual winter sports can have additional requirements concerning helmets, rescue equipment, guides, routes or licences.
What rescue equipment do I need in the backcountry?
The policy does not prescribe one universal backcountry kit. It requires you to take appropriate local advice and carry appropriate rescue equipment before entering backcountry areas.
The equipment required therefore depends on the terrain, conditions and local guidance.
Do I need an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe?
The policy does not name one fixed avalanche kit for every winter-sports trip. It requires appropriate rescue equipment based on local advice.
Where equipment such as a transceiver, shovel, probe or other avalanche-safety equipment is recommended or required, you should follow that guidance.
When does Rise & Shield's Winter Sports Cover apply?
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.
Can I take part in winter sports outside the recognised season?
Not under Optional Winter Sports Cover. Winter Sports trips outside 1 November–30 April in the Northern Hemisphere or 1 May–30 September in the Southern Hemisphere are excluded from that cover.
Does winter sports insurance cover emergency medical treatment?
Eligible emergency medical expenses following a sudden and unforeseen illness or injury may be covered, subject to the limits of your selected plan, policy terms, exclusions and excesses.
Your activity must also satisfy the applicable Winter Sports and activity conditions.
Is helicopter rescue covered during winter sports?
An eligible medical helicopter evacuation may be covered where it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.
The assistance centre determines the appropriate evacuation method and provider.
Is there an excess for medical helicopter rescue?
Yes. The current separate helicopter-rescue excess is £1,000 / $1,250 / €1,200 where helicopter rescue is required for medical reasons.
Can I arrange my own helicopter rescue and claim it back?
Helicopter evacuations must be pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre. Contact the assistance centre before arranging an evacuation whenever circumstances allow.
The appropriate method and provider are determined by the assistance centre's medical team.
Is 24/7 emergency assistance included?
Yes. Rise & Shield's emergency medical assistance service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Hospitalisation, inpatient treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation should be referred to the Emergency Assistance Centre as required by the policy.
Does winter sports insurance include cancellation and curtailment cover?
Eligible unrecoverable costs may be covered if an insured event forces you to cancel your trip before departure or cut your insured trip short, subject to your selected plan, policy terms and exclusions.
Does winter sports insurance cover travel delay or a missed departure?
Depending on the selected plan and circumstances, the policy includes benefits for outward delay, missed departure or connection and abandonment, subject to the relevant conditions, limits and excesses.
Does Winter Sports Cover include ski equipment and ski-pass cover?
The current Winter Sports section specifically extends protection to eligible owned or hired skis, bindings and ski equipment, including qualifying damage or loss while in use. It also extends cover to a ski pass, subject to benefit limits, depreciation and other policy conditions.
Does winter sports insurance cover piste closure because there is no snow?
Potentially, yes. If lack of snow causes 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 apply.
A written report from a resort official is required.
Is lift closure caused by an avalanche covered under Piste Closure?
No. Claims arising from closure of the Winter Sports lift system because of an avalanche are specifically excluded from the Piste Closure benefit.
Avalanche or landslide disruption to scheduled public transport is dealt with separately.
Are lift closures caused by dangerously 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 from that section.
What does the Avalanche or Landslide benefit cover?
The Winter Sports section may reimburse eligible reasonable additional accommodation and travel expenses where scheduled public transport is cancelled or curtailed following an avalanche or landslide, subject to the applicable benefit limit.
Can I cancel my winter sports holiday because snow conditions are poor?
Not simply because snow conditions are disappointing.
Cancellation and Curtailment must result from an insured event. Lack of snow at your pre-booked resort is dealt with separately under the Piste Closure benefit when its specific requirements are met.
Does winter sports insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Claims arising from conditions that meet the policy definition of a pre-existing medical condition are excluded.
Being medically fit to take part in a winter sport does not itself override the policy's medical exclusions.
Can I add Winter Sports Cover to an Annual Multi-Trip policy?
Yes. Optional Winter Sports Cover can be selected with an eligible Annual Multi-Trip policy.
Each individual trip must still meet the applicable policy duration, destination, seasonal and activity conditions.
How long can each trip be on an Annual Multi-Trip policy?
Under the current wording, an individual Annual Multi-Trip journey can last up to 30 days with Travel Essentials and up to 45 days with Travel Classic or Travel Elite.
The old winter-sports page's blanket statement that every annual trip can last 45 days is therefore no longer accurate.
Can one policy cover winter sports and other adventure activities?
Potentially, yes. You can select Winter Sports Cover for eligible winter-sports activities and add other activity levels where required for other parts of your itinerary.
Each planned activity should be checked individually because its classification, conditions and exclusions may differ.
What should I look for in the best winter sports travel insurance?
Look beyond a policy simply saying “winter sports included”. Check which exact activities are covered, whether you intend to go off-piste or into the backcountry, applicable guide and safety-equipment requirements, emergency medical and evacuation cover, helicopter-rescue rules, piste-closure provisions, seasonal limits and exclusions for racing, freestyle or specialist activities.
When should I buy winter sports travel insurance?
It is generally sensible to arrange travel insurance once your trip is booked so that any eligible pre-departure cancellation protection can begin.
Before taking part, make sure Optional Winter Sports Cover is shown on your policy and check each activity you intend to undertake.
How do I check whether my exact winter sport is covered?
Use the current Rise & Shield Activity Checker to search for each planned activity individually.
Similar-looking winter activities can have different add-ons, guide requirements, location restrictions or exclusions, so your completed quote and policy documents remain the final basis of cover.
Other useful resources about winter sports
Preparing for Winter Sports Abroad
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