Winter sports and accidents: well prepared on the slopes

During a winter sports holiday, accidents are more likely to occur than during other holidays. Winter sports are intensive: you are very active and use muscles that you normally use less. Fatigue often plays a role in this, but an accident can also be caused by someone else. In both cases, it is a serious matter and you want to be able to count on good help.

Good preparation prevents problems
Good preparation can help prevent injuries and accidents. Train your muscles in advance and work on your fitness. A few skiing lessons can also make a difference: they ensure that you can hit the slopes with more confidence and control. In addition, wearing a helmet is essential. When skiing, speeds can be reached that are comparable to, or even higher than, those of a moped.

Help on the slopes
Have you fallen yourself or is a travel companion involved in an accident and you can no longer continue skiing? Then call the piste service immediately. They will provide first aid and ensure safe transport down the slopes. In the event of serious injury or if the location is difficult to reach, a helicopter may be deployed. In other cases, you will be brought down by banana boat or snowmobile, where an ambulance is often waiting to transport you to hospital.

At the hospital
You must be able to show your personal details at the hospital. Therefore, make sure you always carry proof of identity, your health insurance card and, if applicable, your EHIC card with you when skiing. The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is a free European health insurance card and is usually found on the back of your health insurance card. If this is not the case, you can request one free of charge from your health insurer. Once the nature of the injury and the treatment plan are clear, it is advisable to contact your insurance company or advisor. They can inform you about the reimbursements and advise you on the next steps.

Winter sports cover: not an unnecessary luxury
Winter sports are not automatically covered by travel insurance. Separate winter sports cover is required for this. Without this cover, you are often not insured for costs such as ski lift transport, rescue operations and (extensive) hospital treatment, especially when these are more expensive than comparable care in the United Kingdom. It is therefore crucial to take out good winter sports cover before departure.

Off-piste skiing
Are you going off-piste skiing without an experienced guide or instructor? Then bear in mind that in most cases you are not insured. Virtually no winter sports insurance covers the costs of accidents under these circumstances.