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Travel insurance when skiing or participating in winter sports

Simple and flexible travel insurance for skiers and snowboarders. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

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Why consider travel insurance when skiing or snowboarding?

Big dumps, fresh tracks and bluebird days will make for an epic trip, yet accidents on and off the hill do happen, even to the most experienced sliders. If you’re just learning on your first trip or you’re a ski bum chasing seasons, World Nomads travel insurance may be able to help you and your family when the unexpected hits your next winter adventure.

Do I need ski insurance?

Thousands of sports enthusiasts tackle the slopes every season, usually without any major incident. But adventure sports can be risky, especially when frosty temperatures and spine-rattling runs are part of the picture.

If your next vacation includes time on the slopes, you could find yourself needing help for anything from emergency medical care to an emergency evacuation or repatriation back home. Here are a few case scenarios where travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding could be a real asset. Just remember these are example scenarios only. All claims require documentation and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

You could get into an accident

Whether you’re on- or off-piste, navigating steep (and even not so steep terrain) can be tricky. It only takes one bad fall or collision to end up with a broken ankle, a dislocated shoulder, or a wrist fracture. Emergency medical bills can be just as painful as a crash. This is where travel insurance can soften the blow. Also note that you must be covered under your province’s GHIP, otherwise your emergency medical benefits will be limited to $40,000 for the duration of your trip.

You need to get to a hospital

When you get hurt on a mountain, getting transportation to a hospital can be critical. Our plans cover local licensed ground ambulance service to transport you to the hospital. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help you every step of the way. If your treating physician recommends you return to your home province because of your medical condition, you may be eligible for the cost of a one-way economy airfare or, when medically necessary, medical air evacuation to your home province. Be sure to contact our emergency assistance team before seeking medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation. Our emergency assistance coordination team can provide guidance, and in some cases, be able to arrange direct payment to providers.

Your equipment could get lost or stolen

If your skis or snowboard have been lost or damaged by your common carrier, or stolen after your arrival, you could get reimbursed for the current value (which factors in depreciation) of your equipment. If your bags are delayed for 12 hours or more in transit to your destination, your plan may also cover  the cost of rental equipment for your use while you’re waiting for a resolution from your carrier. Note that damage to sporting equipment while in use is not covered. 

Bad weather can cause delays (and destruction)

 If your regularly scheduled common carrier is delayed for three hours or is cancelled due to inclement weather, you may be eligible for coverage for trip interruption. 

You wouldn’t forget to pack your ski jacket and gloves – so why would you leave home without travel insurance? 

What's covered for ski and snowboard with World Nomads travel insurance?

World Nomads travel insurance is designed to help your explore your boundaries. We automatically provide coverage for more than 150 activities, sports, work and volunteer experiences on and off the slopes. Level 1 activities are automatically covered when you buy your policy. You’ll need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like skiing and snowboarding. You’ll need to list the all of the activities you plan to participate in when you buy your policy.

As passionate ski bums, we’ve designed our plans to cover the style of skiing and snowboarding our Nomads love the most:

  • Skiing and snowboarding, including terrain parks, within resorts
  • Cross country skiing on marked trails
  • Skiing (by helicopter/snow cat)
  • Snowboarding (by helicopter/snow cat)
  • Snowmobiling (on land), ice skating, snow rafting, and more

Please contact us if you have any questions around coverage for any activities you plan to do. 

What's not covered for ski and snowboard travel insurance? 

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Here are a few of our exclusions:

  • Participation in a race or competition as a professional athlete
  • Search and rescue costs
  • Sporting equipment damaged from use
  • Delayed baggage and sporting equipment on the way home from your trip.

Get a quote

Ready to hit the slopes? When you get a quote you can compare our Standard and Explorer plans and decide which one might best suit your needs. If you have any questions, get in touch and we can help you decide which travel insurance is best for your next snow adventure. Coverage is available for international trips or for domestic trips outside of your home province. 

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Ski buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Slipped on ice?
  • Tore your ACL or MCL?
  • Popped a shoulder?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Road or air ambulance?
  • Flight assistance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • GoPro stolen?
  • Bags lost in transit?
  • Luggage delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

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FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team. If you’re looking for general travel advice, you can ask our community at Ask a Nomad.

  • Are search and rescue missions covered?
    Unfortunately, no. They are excluded from the plan, although there are provisions for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation and medical expenses.
  • Does my travel insurance cover medical costs upfront?
    Except for emergency medical evacuations, you’ll need to pay most medical bills upfront and make a claim for reimbursement later. Make sure you contact our emergency assistance team before seeking medical or emergency evacuation assistance.