| http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; | | | | 2. Check your equipment: Have your equipment and |
| charset=utf-8"> | | | | bindings checked by a ski shop before you go on |
| The winter sports policy provides cover for up to 22 | | | | holiday and, if you're hiring skis, make sure you use a |
| days across 14 different activities including popular | | | | reputable shop. |
| snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding, | | | | 3. Wear protection: It is advisable, especially for |
| through to more specialist sports such as curling, | | | | children, to wear a helmet. Skiers and snowboarders |
| bob-sleighing and tobogganing. | | | | should also consider wrist, back and knee protectors. |
| Rachel Cutler, Head of Tesco Travel Insurance | | | | 4. Remember your sun protection: Sun reflects off |
| commented: "With so many resorts offering | | | | the snow and can burn any exposed skin so wear a |
| attractive winter holiday packages, there are some | | | | high-SPF lotion. Make sure you wear adequate |
| real bargains out there. We're helping to reduce the | | | | sunglasses or goggles as you need to see where |
| cost of such trips further by throwing in our | | | | you're going to avoid collisions. |
| comprehensive winter sports cover with all annual | | | | 5. Keep covered: Don't be tempted to ski with |
| insurance policies. You never know what might | | | | exposed skin or without gloves or mittens if the |
| happen on holiday so it's best to be covered for the | | | | sun's out. Snow and ice can be very abrasive on the |
| unexpected." | | | | skin. |
| Winter sports cover | | | | 6. Don't drink and ski: Although it seems to be an |
| Amount of cover purchased in store/online/over | | | | accepted part of the skiing experience, particularly in |
| phone | | | | Europe, it is important not to over-indulge. Most |
| Sports and activities | | | | insurance policies will not cover you if you have been |
| Skiing and snowboarding on-piste (and off-piste with | | | | drinking alcohol. |
| a qualified instructor), cross-country skiing, ice skating | | | | 7. Take a lesson: if it's been a while since you last |
| and curling. | | | | skied, take it easy on your first day on the slopes |
| Piste closure | | | | and sign up for a refresher course. A bad fall on your |
| Up to £200 per person | | | | first day could ruin the rest of your holiday. |
| Loss of winter sports equipment | | | | 8. Stay safe off-piste: Even experts can get caught |
| Up to £500 per person | | | | out. Check the weather and avalanche forecasts, |
| Replacement winter sports equipment | | | | always let someone know where you're going and |
| Up to £300 per person | | | | consider new technology such as airbags, reflectors |
| Loss of ski passes or fees | | | | and GPS locators. |
| Up to £250 per person | | | | 9. Follow on-piste instructions and directions: They are |
| Tesco has put together some safe skiing tips for | | | | there for a reason. |
| anyone planning a holiday in the snow: | | | | 10. Remember that it can take time to acclimatise to |
| 1. Ensure you are fit for the holiday: Women over 25 | | | | higher altitudes: Keep hydrated and get plenty of |
| are 2.5 times more likely to suffer knee injuries | | | | sleep. When on the slopes, take regular breaks to |
| compared to other groups according to French | | | | prevent yourself from feeling fatigued and make sure |
| mountain medical association Medecins du Montagne, | | | | you have the energy to get safely down the slope. |
| which attributes this to poorer physical condition. | | | | |