| Accessibility to the slopes seems to be less | | | | |
| of an issue nowadays with holiday makers | | | | Medical and legal costs are usually |
| flying to destinations ranging from Canada to | | | | adequately provided for but skiers should |
| South America, while more exotic locations | | | | make sure that if they are travelling to |
| such as China and India are also becoming | | | | Canada or the US that their limit is higher |
| more and more popular amongst the skiing | | | | as medical and personal injury claims tend to |
| fraternity. And of course the traditional | | | | cost more in these countries. |
| European favourites France, Switzerland, | | | | |
| Italy and Austria remain as popular as ever. | | | | Plan Well In Advance |
| | | | |
| But whilst the glorious slopes beckon, | | | | If you have your holiday planned thoroughly |
| inexperienced first timers and experienced | | | | it will make you less likely to take chances |
| skiers alike should be acutely aware that | | | | and "wing it" when you land on the slopes. It |
| goggles may not be the most important item on | | | | will also mean you can use your time getting |
| their list. More important is a good | | | | in some real skiing. |
| insurance policy and the correct medical | | | | |
| documents. | | | | Take Lessons |
| | | | |
| With the increase of avalanches and rising | | | | Despite the recent reduction in airfares, |
| popularity of skiing it's not surprising that | | | | your holiday is still likely to cost a pound |
| ski related accidents are on the increase. | | | | or two. The best way to make full use of your |
| Without the proper insurance cover, holiday | | | | time on the snow and reduce your chances of |
| makers could be faced with hefty medical and | | | | an accident is to either take a few lessons |
| legal fees as well as an uncomfortable end to | | | | before you leave or make sure you seek out a |
| their holiday. | | | | qualified instructor when you are there. |
| | | | |
| Top five tips before you hit the piste | | | | Don't Drink and Ski |
| | | | |
| Get Insurance | | | | Turning up drunk to the slopes is not a great |
| | | | idea; firstly you're increasing your chances |
| Obviously the most important thing to arrange | | | | of causing either yourself or someone else a |
| before you leave is your insurance. Not every | | | | serious injury, and secondly in most cases it |
| country has a Reciprocal Health Care | | | | will invalidate your insurance. This applies |
| Agreement with the UK; therefore it is | | | | to illegal substances as well. |
| extremely important that you arrange a policy | | | | |
| which covers you for your trip and covers the | | | | Heed Weather and Avalanche Warnings |
| type of activity you are planning to | | | | |
| undertake. | | | | Avalanches can cause very serious ski related |
| | | | injuries and often lead to death. Make sure |
| Before you leave you should arrange to get a | | | | you avail yourself of any weather/avalanche |
| European Health Insurance Card. This can be | | | | information available to you. |
| obtained quickly and free of charge through | | | | |
| the Department of Health, by filling in a | | | | With more than a million Brits taking to the |
| simple form on the Department of Health | | | | slopes each year, its increasingly important |
| Website. The card may entitle you free | | | | that they have adequate insurance cover. If |
| medical care or discounted medical care and | | | | you follow these tips and prepare well in |
| replaces the old E111 and E112 forms which | | | | advance, there is no reason not to relax and |
| are no longer valid. | | | | enjoy your holiday. |