Clear information, comprehensive cover and an easy purchasing process.
Off-Piste Ski Insurance
Protect every powder-packed turn with off-piste ski insurance that covers medical emergencies, equipment damage, trip interruptions, and more
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.
Off-piste
Skiing & snowboarding
Helicopter
Approved evacuation
24/7
Emergency assistance
Is this cover right for your off-piste ski trip?
Rise & Shield can cover eligible off-piste skiing and snowboarding, including selected backcountry, outside-resort and alpine touring activities, when Optional Winter Sports Cover is included in your policy.
You must follow local safety advice, resort or FIS rules and any applicable guide or rescue-equipment requirements. A guide is not automatically required for every off-piste run, but you must use one where local rules require it.
Some popular off-piste and backcountry activities we can cover are shown below.
Off-piste skiing
Off-piste snowboarding
Backcountry skiing
Backcountry snowboarding
Skiing outside resort boundaries
Snowboarding outside resort boundaries
Alpine ski touring
Cat skiing
This is not a complete list. Optional Winter Sports Cover must be included in your policy. Off-piste and backcountry activities can have specific local-safety, rescue-equipment, guide or protective-equipment requirements. Always check your exact planned activity before travelling. Terms, limits, conditions, exclusions and excesses apply.
What can our off-piste ski insurance cover?
Depending on your chosen plan, Rise & Shield can provide cover for some of the most important risks surrounding off-piste 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 off-piste 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 Winter Sports Cover for off-piste skiing?
Yes. Eligible off-piste skiing and snowboarding requires Optional Winter Sports Cover.
Make sure the add-on appears on your policy documents before taking part in any off-piste or backcountry activity.
Do I need a guide to ski off-piste?
Not automatically. You must observe the rules of the resort or area and follow appropriate local safety advice.
Where off-piste skiing is only permitted with a guide, their instructions must be followed. Inexperienced skiers should not go off-piste without guide supervision.
Can I ski or snowboard outside resort boundaries?
Potentially, yes. The current activity wording includes eligible backcountry and outside-resort-boundary skiing and snowboarding under Winter Sports Cover.
Additional safety conditions apply, so check your exact activity and arrangements before travelling.
What safety equipment do I need in the backcountry?
Before entering backcountry areas, you should take local advice and carry appropriate rescue equipment.
You must also use recommended protective equipment and appropriate safety gear for the activity and conditions. The exact equipment needed can depend on where and how you are skiing.
Are freestyle skiing, jumps or racing covered?
No. The policy covers conventional skiing and snowboarding rather than every type of snow sport.
Freestyle skiing or snowboarding, jumping, acrobatics, stunting, racing and national-squad training are among the activities specifically excluded.
Is off-piste 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.
Winter sports trips outside those periods are excluded from the Optional Winter Sports Cover.
Is helicopter rescue covered if I am injured off-piste?
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. A separate medical helicopter-rescue excess applies.
How do I buy off-piste ski insurance?
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.
Off-piste ski insurance FAQs
What is off-piste ski insurance?
Off-piste ski insurance is travel insurance that includes eligible skiing or snowboarding away from marked pistes.
With Rise & Shield, off-piste skiing and snowboarding sit within Optional Winter Sports Cover, subject to the policy's activity, safety and seasonal conditions.
Does travel insurance cover off-piste skiing?
It can. Rise & Shield can cover eligible off-piste skiing when Optional Winter Sports Cover is selected and you follow the applicable local safety guidance, resort rules and policy conditions.
Do I need Winter Sports Cover for off-piste skiing?
Yes. Optional Winter Sports Cover must be selected for eligible off-piste skiing, snowboarding, backcountry skiing and other listed winter sports. Make sure the add-on appears on your policy documents before taking part.
Is off-piste snowboarding covered?
Yes. Eligible off-piste snowboarding can be covered under Optional Winter Sports Cover, subject to the same local safety, resort and activity conditions that apply to off-piste skiing.
Does off-piste ski insurance cover backcountry skiing?
Yes. Eligible backcountry skiing is listed within Rise & Shield's Winter Sports activities. You must follow local advice, use appropriate rescue equipment and meet the applicable safety conditions.
Is backcountry snowboarding covered?
Yes. Eligible backcountry snowboarding can be covered with Optional Winter Sports Cover, subject to the applicable local advice, rescue-equipment, safety and policy conditions.
Can I ski or snowboard outside resort boundaries?
Potentially, yes. The current activity wording specifically includes eligible skiing and snowboarding outside resort boundaries under Winter Sports Cover.
Additional safety conditions apply, including taking local advice and using appropriate rescue equipment.
What is the difference between off-piste and backcountry skiing for insurance?
The terms can overlap in everyday use, but the policy contains separate activity wording for off-piste skiing or snowboarding and for backcountry or outside-resort-boundary skiing and snowboarding.
The exact activity matters because additional safety conditions can apply once you enter backcountry or outside-resort terrain.
Is sidecountry or slackcountry skiing covered?
Potentially. If the activity is conventional skiing or snowboarding and falls within the policy's off-piste, backcountry or outside-resort-boundary categories, it may be eligible.
Local rules, warnings, rescue-equipment requirements and all other policy conditions still apply.
Is tree skiing covered?
Potentially. Tree skiing is not separately named in the activity table, so it should not be assumed to be covered automatically.
If it forms part of conventional off-piste or backcountry skiing, the exact location, resort rules, local safety advice and activity conditions must be followed.
Is powder skiing covered?
Powder skiing is not a separate policy category. Eligible conventional skiing on powder may fall within on-piste, off-piste or backcountry skiing depending on where it takes place.
The conditions for that activity classification must be met.
Is alpine ski touring covered?
Yes. Alpine ski touring is listed under Winter Sports Cover. The current Winter Sports wording requires alpine ski touring to be undertaken with a qualified local guide, together with the other applicable safety and activity conditions.
Is cat skiing covered?
Yes. Cat skiing is listed within Winter Sports Cover. The current Winter Sports wording describes cat skiing as being undertaken with a qualified local guide, and applicable safety-equipment requirements must also be followed.
Does off-piste ski insurance cover heli-skiing?
Heli-skiing is not specifically listed as a covered Winter Sports activity in the current Rise & Shield activity table or policy wording.
Do not assume that a heli-skiing itinerary is covered; check the exact activity with Rise & Shield before buying or taking part.
Do I need a guide for off-piste skiing?
Not automatically. The policy specifically states that skiing or snowboarding with a guide is not a general condition of cover.
You must still follow resort or International Ski Federation rules, use a guide where local rules require one, and follow local safety advice.
Can I ski off-piste without a guide?
Potentially, yes, where local rules permit it and you satisfy the policy conditions.
If off-piste skiing is only allowed with a guide, you must follow that requirement. Inexperienced skiers should not go off-piste without guide supervision.
Can I ski off-piste alone?
The policy does not list solo conventional skiing or snowboarding as an automatic exclusion in the way it does for some other activities.
However, you must follow resort rules, local safety advice and sensible local practices, and inexperienced skiers should not go off-piste without a guide.
Can inexperienced skiers go off-piste?
The policy says inexperienced skiers should not go off-piste except under the supervision of a guide.
If you are unsure whether your experience level or planned terrain is suitable, use a qualified local guide.
Am I covered if I ski in a closed or prohibited area?
You must observe the rules of the resort or area and follow local safety warnings.
Entering terrain that has been closed or prohibited by the resort or local authorities may breach the conditions of your cover, so you should not assume a claim would be covered.
What happens if there is an avalanche warning?
You must observe local safety guidelines and warnings. If local authorities, the resort or guides advise against entering an area because of avalanche danger, you should follow that advice.
Ignoring applicable warnings may mean your activity no longer meets the policy conditions.
What rescue equipment do I need for backcountry skiing?
The policy requires you to take local advice and carry appropriate rescue equipment before venturing into backcountry areas.
It does not prescribe one universal equipment list, so the appropriate kit depends on the location, conditions and local guidance.
Do I need an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe?
The policy does not name a fixed avalanche-safety kit for every off-piste trip. It requires appropriate rescue equipment based on local advice.
In terrain where a transceiver, shovel, probe or other equipment is recommended or required, you should follow that guidance.
Do I need to wear a helmet off-piste?
You must use recommended safety equipment and protective clothing.
The backcountry, outside-resort-boundary and alpine ski touring activity entry also carries the policy's helmet and appropriate-safety-gear condition.
Does the policy only cover conventional skiing and snowboarding?
Yes. The skiing and snowboarding condition states that the policy covers conventional skiing and snowboarding only.
Specialist activities that fall outside conventional skiing should be checked separately.
Is ski mountaineering covered by off-piste ski insurance?
Not automatically. Alpine ski touring is listed within Winter Sports Cover, but an itinerary involving ropes, ice axes, crampons or other specialist climbing techniques may fall into a different activity classification.
Check the exact itinerary before relying on off-piste ski cover.
Are freestyle skiing, jumps and tricks covered off-piste?
No. The policy specifically excludes freestyle skiing or snowboarding, ski or snowboard jumping, ski-flying, acrobatics and stunting.
Being off-piste does not override those exclusions.
Is off-piste ski racing covered?
No. Ski and snowboard racing, competitions and national-squad training are excluded.
Activities are also covered on an amateur basis rather than for professional or semi-professional competition.
When does off-piste 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.
Winter sports trips outside those periods are excluded from the optional cover.
Can I ski off-piste outside the recognised winter season?
Not under Optional Winter Sports Cover.
Trips outside 1 November–30 April in the Northern Hemisphere or 1 May–30 September in the Southern Hemisphere are excluded from Winter Sports Cover.
Does off-piste ski insurance cover emergency medical treatment?
Eligible emergency medical expenses following a sudden and unforeseen illness or injury may be covered when your off-piste activity meets the policy conditions, subject to your selected plan's limits, exclusions and applicable excesses.
Is helicopter rescue covered if I am injured off-piste?
An eligible medical helicopter evacuation may be covered when 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 medical helicopter-rescue excess of £1,000 / $1,250 / €1,200 applies.
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 evacuation requires pre-approval and the assistance team decides the medically appropriate method and provider.
Does the policy cover avalanche rescue or search-and-rescue costs?
There is no standalone promise that every avalanche or search-and-rescue operation will be paid.
Eligible medical evacuation may be covered where it is medically necessary and approved through the Emergency Assistance Centre. The circumstances and policy terms determine what costs are eligible.
Are my own off-piste skis covered if they are lost, stolen or damaged?
Eligible owned skis and ski equipment can be covered through Winter Sports Cover, subject to the applicable benefit limits, depreciation, security conditions and excess.
Is hired or rented off-piste ski equipment covered?
Yes. Winter Sports Cover can extend to eligible skis and ski equipment hired to you, subject to the policy limits, depreciation and other conditions.
Is ski equipment covered while I am using it off-piste?
Yes. The current Winter Sports wording specifically extends eligible cover to skis and ski equipment against damage or loss while in use, subject to the remaining policy terms and benefit limits.
Does off-piste ski insurance cover my ski pass?
Winter Sports Cover extends the Personal Luggage section to include your ski pass, subject to the relevant limits and policy conditions.
What happens if I am injured and cannot ski for the rest of the trip?
Winter Sports Cover includes an Inability to Ski benefit.
If a medical practitioner at the ski resort certifies that you cannot ski because of an eligible bodily injury or sudden and unforeseen illness, a proportionate refund of qualifying unused ski-pack costs may be available.
Does off-piste ski insurance cover piste closure because there is no snow?
Potentially. If lack of snow causes the entire lift system at your pre-booked resort to close and skiing is impossible for more than 12 hours, the Piste Closure benefit may apply, subject to its limits and evidence requirements.
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 under a separate benefit.
What does the Avalanche or Landslide benefit cover?
The Winter Sports section may reimburse eligible reasonable additional accommodation and travel expenses if scheduled public transport is cancelled or curtailed following an avalanche or landslide, subject to the applicable limit.
Can I cancel my off-piste ski holiday because snow or avalanche conditions look poor?
Not simply because conditions are disappointing or adverse weather is forecast. Cancellation and Curtailment requires an insured event.
You should also follow local safety warnings and avoid entering terrain that authorities or the resort advise against.
Does off-piste ski insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Claims arising from conditions defined by the policy as pre-existing are excluded.
Medical fitness to ski does not by itself override the travel insurance policy's medical exclusions.
Can I add off-piste Winter Sports Cover to an Annual Multi-Trip policy?
Optional Winter Sports Cover can be selected with an eligible Annual Multi-Trip policy.
Each trip must still meet the relevant trip-duration, destination, seasonal and activity conditions.
What should I look for in the best off-piste ski insurance?
Check that the policy expressly accommodates off-piste and backcountry skiing rather than simply saying winter sports are covered.
Look at guide requirements, outside-resort-boundary rules, rescue-equipment conditions, emergency medical and evacuation cover, helicopter approval rules, ski-equipment protection, seasonal limits and exclusions for racing or freestyle activities.
When should I buy off-piste ski travel insurance?
It is generally sensible to arrange your insurance after booking your trip so that any eligible pre-departure cancellation protection can begin.
Before buying, check your planned terrain and activities and make sure Optional Winter Sports Cover is shown on the policy.
How do I check whether my exact off-piste activity is covered?
Check the exact activity in the Rise & Shield activity list or Trip Activity Checker.
Off-piste skiing, backcountry skiing, alpine ski touring, cat skiing and other snow activities can carry different conditions, so your completed quote and policy documents remain the final basis of cover.
Other useful off-piste skiing resources
FIS Code of Conduct for Skiers & Snowboarders
You might also need
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.