Where can I ski or board?
In general, cover is available for recreational skiing or snowboarding on piste and in areas designated 'safe' by ski resort staff within the resort’s boundaries.
Some plans also cover off piste skiing and snowboarding, provided it is not done in restricted or unsafe areas. If you're thinking of more extreme skiing it's important to check with us and read the policy wording carefully because some of our insurers can't offer cover - they find it very difficult to verify the individual's ability and level of risk.
So what does safe mean?
Ski resorts are often held liable for all winter sports activities within their boundaries and so they take time to make sure the runs are groomed, the instructors are competent and any dangerous conditions like heavy snow, ice, and avalanche risks are properly managed or marked as closed or out of bounds. If you stay within these safe areas and keep within your ability, then we can help if you have an accident.
Even if you’re with a guide or you’re an experience backcountry skier, if you go into closed areas or outside the resort boundaries, our insurers may decide you’ve put yourself at needless risk and it’s likely you wont be covered. We offer general travel insurance for adventurous travellers, not search and rescue cover, so we wont be able to come look for you in the wilderness.
What is covered?
To be covered for snowsports, you must choose the correct plan or adventure sport upgrade at the time you buy your policy. Check our list of
covered adventure sports and activities to make sure you're choosing the correct plan
for your winter adventure.
Where you've bought a plan which includes the type of snowsports you'll be doing, there is cover for emergency medical treatment undertaken by qualified resort staff and any air evacuation or road ambulance transport to get you to
the nearest suitable medical facility, all subject to the Emergency Assistance team’s approval.
Your winter sports equipment isn’t covered while you’re using it, but it may be covered if stolen from an official resort storage (where you’ve checked it in, kept the receipt and have a police report within 24 hours of it being stolen). Your gear wont be covered if you simply forget it or leave it anywhere where the general public has constant access or where items can be taken without your knowledge, including ski racks or roof racks (secured or not), unattended while you get lunch or in resort lockers in public areas.
Again, our insurers have different terms of cover, dependent on which country you are from, so check out the policy conditions carefully to make sure that the cover is right for you and your particular winter sporting adventure. If you're not sure just call us or drop us an e-mail and we'll come straight back to you!
Be sensible guys. Skiing causes a lot of medical claims and as pretty as the white stuff looks, it can be dangerous so let's be careful out there.
You are not covered where you are:
- Willfully exposing yourself to a needless risk like cliff drops or taking on the double black diamond run after your first ever day on the slopes.
- Intoxicated or have taken illegal drugs where your ability and decision making is probably compromised.
- Backcountry or any areas out of bounds of the ski resort.
- Extreme skiing or snowboarding.
- If you choose one of our plans, which do not include cover for snowsports.
- If you’re in a race or competition.
- Injured while working where you should be covered by your employer.
World Nomads is supported by different insurers from around the world. Always read your policy wording to review your specific coverage and to make sure that the policy is right for you.
