Photo © Meghan Pinsonnault/Stocksy

Skiing and Snowboarding Travel Insurance Coverage

Canadian Residents Can Protect Against Skiing Injuries, Ski Resort Closures, Damaged Gear & More

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

At a glance:

  • World Nomads offers travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding to help cover medical emergencies, stolen gear and trip cancellations.
  • Our plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage if you get injured while skiing or snowboarding in remote areas.
  • We provide gear protection if your ski equipment is stolen or accidentally damaged by your common carrier during your trip.
  • If your trip is disrupted by illness or injuries (amongst other covered reasons), adventure travel insurance for skiing may help cover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

Are you dreaming of skiing down slopes in Italy, Austria, Switzerland or France? How about within Canada? No matter where you’re headed for wintry fun, it helps to always be prepared for the unexpected when skiing and snowboarding. Ski travel insurance for Europe, the US and within Canada all include a range of benefits that could help with everything from stolen ski gear to unexpected medical emergency expenses.

Why should I consider international ski insurance for my trip?

Unexpected issues can mess up even the most carefully planned ski trips. For example, those seeking fresh powder flock to Japan each winter to hit the slopes, but what happens if an injury puts a halt to your fun? Ski insurance for Japan may help you bounce back quickly with support for medical and travel emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your needs, it’s a smart way to travel confidently when you’re skiing outside of your home province.

Nomads tip: World Nomads Travel Insurance can also cover your travels within Canada! Your Government Health Plan is limited once you leave your province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels outside of your home province too.

Ski and Snowboard Travel Insurance: What may be covered?

Whether you’re in fresh powder or on the bunny hill, 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. If you’re heading south to the United States to hit the slopes in Breckenridge, Vail or Palisades, you may want to consider getting a quote for travel insurance for skiing in the US. We also offer coverage for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences.

  1. Emergency Medical Expenses
    For injuries when skiing that require emergency medical treatment

  2. 24/7 Emergency Assistance
    Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation, on or off the slopes

  3. Baggage & Gear Coverage
    Damaged or stolen ski gear

  4. Trip Cancellations, Trip Interruptions and Delays
    Travel protection for your unused, pre-paid, nonrefundable trip costs and unexpected expenses if your trip is interrupted.

Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you.

What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my ski trip?

World Nomads offers two plans for Canadian residents – the Standard and Explorer – each with different levels of coverage.

  • Standard Plan – This is the most basic plan but includes up to $5,000,000 CAD in emergency medical expenses and $2,500 CAD for trip cancellation.
  • Explorer Plan – This adventure travel insurance plan also covers skiing but has higher limits of coverage.

Even if your main goal is to go skiing, you’ll probably also be doing other things like snowmobiling or snow biking. That’s totally fine, because there are over 250+ sports, activities and experiences that could be covered when you purchase adventure travel insurance. When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list skiing, snowboarding and all of the other activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time.  Costs may vary depending on the activities you list. Most forms of Skiing are a Level 3 activity and require an additional premium to cover, so be sure to buy the proper coverage for your ski trip!

If you are planning to participate in an activity that isn’t listed in our policy wording, you will need to contact us to determine if you will be covered. 

Nomads tip: Get a quote and choose your plan first, then the system will prompt you to add the activities you plan to do. Make sure you list them all; you won’t be able to make changes once on your trip.

Get a travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Get a quote
A person skiing

What may not be covered when on a ski trip?

Save the cocktails for apres-ski. If you start taking shots off of the shot ski, and then get hurt, you may not be covered. Travel insurance for skiing won’t cover you if you are injured when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some other things that aren’t covered include:

  • Unattended baggage, ski gear or personal items
  • Damage to ski equipment while you’re using it
  • Not following government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisories issued by the Canadian government
  • Travelling or skiing in your home province
  • Search and rescue missions
  • Not following the International Ski Federation code or the ski resort’s regulations
  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your policy
  • Competitions, racing or national squad training, acrobatics, tricks, stunting, freestyle, aerials or jumps.
  • Ignoring your doctor if they have explicitly advised you not to go skiing or snowboarding

Top safety tips we recommend for skiing

From our own time on the slopes, we’ve discovered that you never know what might happen next. We’ve learned that it helps tremendously to be prepared in those situations – whether you’re skiing in Europe, Japan, the US, or even here in Canada. Here are a few of our personal tips that you may find helpful when planning your next ski vacation.

  • Always wear a helmet that fits you properly.
  • Dress in multiple layers and look for insulated clothing made of moisture-wicking material. You’ll also want to make sure your outerwear is waterproof.
  • Take a lesson from a reputable instructor.
  • Ski within your skill level. (If you’ve just taken your first lesson, you should probably avoid the black diamonds for a while.)
  • Control your speed and stay in control.
  • Stay on marked trails.
  • Check with the Public Health Agency of Canada to see if they have issued any travel health notices for the destination where you’ll be skiing.
  • Register with Canadians Abroad to stay updated on emergency situations.
  • Save a copy of your travel insurance for skiing documents in your phone. Have the phone number for the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team easily accessible as well.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for skiiing. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team

  • Are skiing and snowboarding covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?

    Yes, skiing and snowboarding may be covered under both plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but you’ll still need to list these activities when you purchase your travel insurance for skiing policy. Most skiing activities are considered Level 3; if you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.

  • What types of incidents are covered while on a ski trip?

    If your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted due to an unforeseen event, you may be able to recover your unused, non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses (up to the policy limits), and this could include unused, prepaid, non-refundable tours that you paid for in advance. If you get hurt while skiing and require medical assistance, emergency medical coverage could come in handy in the case of an unexpected injury. You could also be covered for unplanned situations such as lost bags or if the Canadian government issues a travel advisory telling travellers not to go to a destination on your itinerary.

Need destination inspiration for your next ski trip?

While there are great places to ski here in Canada (and you can get ski insurance for Canada as long as you’re skiing outside of your home province), there’s an abundance of great places around the world to ski and snowboard. Check out a couple of our favorite locations and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.

Five Great Ways to Experience Germany in Winter

Skiing in Japan: The Best Resorts to Check Out Now

Skiing in Italy’s Dolomites

Four Reasons to Visit Turkey in Winter

Bluebird Colorado: A Local’s Guide to Skiing in the Rockies

Austria Essential Skiing and Snow Tips

Four Winter Wilderness Adventures in Central and Eastern Canada

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
  • Work emergency?
  • Weather delay?
  • Travel companion sick?

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
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need a hospital?

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
  • Ambulance transfers
  • Medevac flights
  • Medical escort services

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
  • Stolen I.D.s
  • Checked-in sports equipment
  • Damaged luggage

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