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| issue nowadays with holiday makers flying to | | | | forms which are no longer valid.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