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Skiing and Snowboarding Travel Insurance Coverage

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

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At a glance

  • Coverage for the slopes: World Nomads offers travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding to help cover medical emergencies, stolen gear and trip cancellations.
  • Emergency medical evacuation: Our plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage if you get injured while skiing or snowboarding in remote areas.
  • Gear protection on and off the mountain: We provide gear protection if your ski equipment is stolen or accidentally damaged by your common carrier during your trip.
  • Coverage if an injury cuts your trip short: 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 Europethe 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 travel insurance for my international ski 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 Insurance Plan may not meet your travel insurance coverage needs once you leave your province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels as long as you are traveling outside of your home province.

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.

  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.

Choosing the Right Skiing and Snowboarding Travel Insurance Plan

World Nomads offers four plans for Canadian residents – the Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip – each with different levels of coverage.

Standard PlanExplorer PlanEpic PlanAnnual Plan

Ideal for:
Budget Travelers

Coverage Includes:

  • Emergency medical – up to $1.5 million CAD 
  • Emergency Medical evacuation – up to $250,000 CAD 
  • Trip cancellation – up to $2,500 CAD 

Covering the basics for your skiing or snowboarding trip.

Get a quote

Ideal for:
Adventure Travelers

Coverage Includes:

  • Emergency medical – up to $5 million CAD 
  • Emergency Medical evacuation – up to $500,000 CAD 
  • Trip cancellation – up to $10,000 CAD 

Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.

Get a quote

Ideal for:
Bucket-list trips

Coverage Includes:

  • Emergency medical – up to $10 million CAD 
  • Emergency Medical evacuation – up to $750,000 CAD 
  • Trip cancellation – up to $15,000 CAD 

Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.

Get a quote

Ideal for:
Weekend warriors & avid travelers

Coverage Includes:

  • Emergency medical – up to $5 million CAD per trip 
  • Emergency Medical evacuation – up to $500,000 CAD per trip 
  • Trip cancellation – up to $2,500 CAD per trip 


Get a quote

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. 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. 

Coverage for 250 activities you love + more

Snow 31 activities
Water 74 activities
Air 15 activities
Land 65 activities
Sports 85 activities
Experiences 18 activities
Activities shown in blue are automatically included in the Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip Plans. Activities shown in orange require an optional upgrade for coverage to apply. Special conditions and exclusions may apply to certain activities, check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

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 skiing and snowboarding. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

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

    Yes, skiing and snowboarding may be covered under all four 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 cancelleddelayed, 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.

  • Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?

    Trip cancellation coverage is included in all four travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads. With this type of coverage, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your pre-paid, unused, non-refundable trip costs such as flights, tours and accommodations if your trip is cancelled due to one of the covered trip cancellation risks under the policy. World Nomads also offers a Cancel for Any Reason (“CFAR”) optional upgrade. This optional upgrade can only be purchased with our Explorer Plan and Epic Plan (up to 50% CFAR benefit. Maximum benefit limits apply). 

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 article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Help take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $1,500,000
  • Explorer Plan: $5,000,000
  • Epic Plan: $10,000,000
  • AMT Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $250,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $750,000
  • AMT Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Gear & Baggage Protection

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

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $5,000
  • AMT Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

Protect your health

  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Return of Remains
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children

Protect your trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
  • Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)

Protect your stuff

  • 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

  • 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Personal Security Assistance
  • Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
  • 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.