Snowboarding Travel Insurance

How do I buy snowboarding travel insurance online?

Getting covered with Rise & Shield is easy. Follow these simple steps to secure your trip:

Snowboarding travel insurance FAQs

Does travel insurance cover snowboarding?

It can. With Rise & Shield, eligible conventional snowboarding can be covered when you add Optional Winter Sports Cover to your policy. On-piste, qualifying off-piste and several other forms of snowboarding are listed within the current activity wording.

Do I need Winter Sports Cover for a snowboarding holiday?

Yes. Snowboarding is classified as a Winter Sports activity, so Optional Winter Sports Cover must be selected and shown on your policy documents before you take part.

Is on-piste snowboarding covered?

Yes. Conventional on-piste snowboarding is listed under Winter Sports Cover, subject to the policy terms, activity conditions and exclusions.

Is off-piste snowboarding covered?

Yes. Eligible off-piste snowboarding can be covered when Winter Sports Cover is included and you observe local safety guidance, warnings and the rules applying to the resort or area.

Do I need a guide for off-piste snowboarding?

Not automatically. The policy does not make riding with a guide a general condition of conventional snowboarding cover.

You must still follow resort regulations or the International Ski Federation code, use a guide where local rules require one and take appropriate local advice before entering backcountry areas.

Can I snowboard off-piste without a guide?

Potentially, yes, where local rules allow it and the other policy conditions are satisfied.

Where off-piste riding is only permitted with a guide, their advice must be followed. Inexperienced riders should not go off-piste without guide supervision.

Is backcountry snowboarding covered?

Eligible backcountry snowboarding is specifically listed within the Winter Sports activities. Additional conditions apply, including taking appropriate local advice and carrying appropriate rescue equipment.

Can I snowboard outside resort boundaries?

Potentially, yes. The current activity table specifically lists snowboarding outside resort boundaries within Winter Sports Cover.

You must still meet the applicable safety conditions, follow local advice and use recommended protective and rescue equipment.

Is snowboarding in a terrain park covered?

Terrain park snowboarding within a resort is listed as a Winter Sports activity.

However, this does not mean every terrain-park feature or manoeuvre is covered. Freestyle snowboarding, jumping, acrobatics and stunting are separately excluded.

Can I ride a terrain park if I am not doing tricks or jumps?

Potentially, yes. Terrain park snowboarding within a resort is listed as an eligible activity, subject to the normal policy conditions.

The important distinction is that freestyle riding, snowboard jumping, acrobatics and stunting remain excluded.

Is freestyle snowboarding covered?

No. Freestyle snowboarding is specifically excluded under the current activity exclusions.

Are snowboard jumps, tricks or stunts covered?

No. Snowboard jumping, acrobatics and stunting are specifically excluded.

That exclusion still applies even where the terrain park itself is listed as an eligible location for conventional snowboarding.

Is dry-slope snowboarding covered?

Yes. Conventional skiing and snowboarding on a dry slope are listed under Winter Sports Cover, subject to the applicable activity conditions and exclusions.

Can beginners snowboard off-piste?

The policy says inexperienced participants should not go off-piste except under the supervision of a guide.

If you are unsure whether your experience is appropriate for the terrain, use a qualified local guide and follow their advice.

Can I snowboard off-piste on my own?

The policy does not impose a blanket requirement for a guide on every conventional off-piste run.

However, you must obey resort and local rules, take appropriate local advice and use a guide where required. Inexperienced riders should not go off-piste without guide supervision.

What happens if there is an avalanche warning?

You must follow the rules of the resort or area and observe applicable local safety advice and warnings.

You should not assume cover continues if you deliberately ignore closures, warnings or other safety requirements affecting the terrain you intend to ride.

What rescue equipment do I need for backcountry snowboarding?

The policy requires you to take appropriate local advice and carry appropriate rescue equipment before venturing into backcountry areas.

It does not prescribe one universal kit for every location, so the equipment required depends on the terrain, conditions and local advice.

Do I need an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe?

The policy does not prescribe one fixed avalanche kit for every snowboarding trip. Instead, it requires appropriate rescue equipment based on local advice.

If equipment such as a transceiver, shovel or probe is recommended or required for the terrain you plan to enter, you should follow that guidance.

Do I need to wear a helmet while snowboarding?

You must use recommended safety equipment and protective clothing and comply with the requirements applying to your activity and location.

Backcountry and outside-resort-boundary snowboarding also carries additional safety-equipment conditions.

Does Rise & Shield only cover conventional snowboarding?

Yes. The applicable activity condition limits cover to conventional skiing and snowboarding.

Specialist forms of riding should therefore be checked individually rather than assumed to fall within ordinary snowboarding cover.

Is snowboard racing covered?

No. Snowboard racing, competitions and national-squad training are specifically excluded.

Can professional snowboarders use this cover?

Not for professional or semi-professional competition. Activities are covered on an amateur basis, and professional or semi-professional competitions and tournaments are excluded.

Is splitboarding covered?

Splitboarding is not specifically named in the current activity table.

Because an itinerary could involve backcountry riding, touring or terrain with additional technical requirements, you should check the exact planned activity with Rise & Shield rather than assume ordinary snowboarding cover applies.

When does Rise & Shield's snowboarding season run?

Winter Sports Cover applies in the Northern Hemisphere from 1 November to 30 April and in the Southern Hemisphere from 1 May to 30 September.

Can I snowboard outside the recognised winter season?

Not under Optional Winter Sports Cover. Winter sports trips outside the recognised Northern or Southern Hemisphere seasonal periods are excluded from the Winter Sports section.

Does snowboarding travel insurance cover emergency medical treatment?

Eligible emergency medical expenses following a sudden and unforeseen illness or injury may be covered, subject to the selected plan limits, policy terms, exclusions and excesses.

Your snowboarding activity must also satisfy the relevant Winter Sports and activity conditions.

Is helicopter rescue covered after a snowboarding accident?

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 team determines the appropriate evacuation method and provider.

Is there an excess for helicopter rescue?

Yes. Under the current policy, the separate medical helicopter-rescue excess is £1,000 / $1,250 / €1,200.

Can I arrange my own helicopter rescue and claim it back?

You should contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre before arranging a helicopter evacuation whenever circumstances allow.

Helicopter evacuations require pre-approval, and the assistance team decides the medically appropriate evacuation method and provider.

Does snowboarding insurance include cancellation and curtailment cover?

Eligible unrecoverable trip costs may be covered where an insured event forces you to cancel your snowboarding holiday before departure or return home earlier than planned, subject to your selected plan and the policy conditions and exclusions.

Does snowboarding travel insurance cover travel delays or missed departures?

Depending on your selected plan and the circumstances, the policy includes benefits for outward delay, missed departure or connection and abandonment, subject to the relevant conditions, limits and excesses.

Does snowboarding 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 it is impossible to ski for more than 12 hours, the Piste Closure benefit may apply.

A written confirmation 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.

Are lift closures caused by dangerously high winds covered?

Not under the Piste Closure benefit. Lift-system closures caused by 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 if scheduled public transport is cancelled or curtailed following an avalanche or landslide, subject to the applicable benefit limit.

Can I cancel my snowboarding holiday because snow conditions are poor?

Not simply because the snow is disappointing or the weather forecast is poor. Cancellation and Curtailment must result from an insured event.

The Winter Sports section has a separate Piste Closure benefit with specific requirements where lack of snow closes the entire lift system at your pre-booked resort.

Does snowboarding travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Claims arising from conditions that meet the policy definition of a pre-existing condition are excluded.

Being medically fit to snowboard 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 added alongside an Annual Multi-Trip policy.

The maximum duration of each trip depends on the plan selected, so the trip-length and other policy conditions must still be observed.

Can one policy cover snowboarding and other adventure activities?

Potentially, yes. Winter Sports Cover can be selected for eligible snowboarding and other winter activities, while separate activity add-ons can be chosen where required for other parts of your itinerary.

Check each planned activity individually because conditions and exclusions can differ.

What should I look for in the best snowboarding travel insurance?

Look beyond a policy simply saying that “winter sports” are included. Check whether it expressly covers the type of snowboarding you intend to do, including on-piste, off-piste or backcountry riding.

Also check guide and rescue-equipment requirements, emergency medical and evacuation provisions, helicopter approval rules, terrain-park exclusions, piste-closure terms, seasonal restrictions and exclusions for freestyle riding, jumps and racing.

When should I buy snowboarding travel insurance?

It is generally sensible to arrange your policy once you have booked your snowboarding trip so that any eligible pre-departure cancellation protection can begin.

Before buying, make sure Optional Winter Sports Cover is selected and check every snowboarding activity you intend to undertake.

How do I check whether my exact snowboarding activity is covered?

Use the Rise & Shield activity list to check the exact type of riding you plan to do.

On-piste, off-piste, backcountry, outside-resort-boundary, terrain-park and dry-slope snowboarding can carry different conditions, so your completed quote and policy documents remain the final basis of cover. 

Other useful snowboarding resources

FIS Code of Conduct for Skiers & Snowboarders

Apply for a UK GHIC (or EHIC) card

Winter-sports travel advice