WINTER INSURANCE

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

As the old saying goes, “the devil is in the detail” and it’s certainly true of insurance for winter sports holidays. The conditions and exclusions that lurk in the policy we buy can cost us dearly, but how many of us read the small print? Here are a few things to look out for:

What should I check first? The conditions governing cancellation and curtailment. If you’re ill, your costs should be covered but if you have to abandon your holiday because a dependent is ill, a claim could be refused.

Any conditions regarding cover for “ski pack”? This is the term for prepaid lessons, lift passes and equipment hire. If you are ill or injured and can’t use this, make sure you ask for a doctor’s certificate.

When does piste closure mean “piste closure”? If you can’t ski or snowboard due to lack of snow, too much snow, high winds or risk of avalanche, you should be able to claim. However, you may find that a high percentage or all of the ski lifts and schools have to be closed to qualify, or your tour operator may reserve the right to transfer you to an alternative resort which is miles away. What about cover for lost or damaged equipment? A range of get-outs may apply here. Cover could be waived while equipment is in the care of an airline or even when you’re actually skiing. Unlocked skis left outside a mountain bar, or skis left within view on a car roof rack are also unlikely to be covered.

Is off-piste included? Some policies exclude off-piste skiing and snowboarding; others require the policyholder to be with a companion; and some require the companion to be a qualified guide.

And the ski school slalom race? Most specialist insurers will cover these fun races, but not all.

Surely I can rely on cover if I injure myself? Generally yes. All policies, though, contain exclusions relating to use of alcohol.

And après-ski activities? Tobogganing and iceskating (on a public ice rink) are usually covered but snowmobiling, dogsledding and paragliding may not be. Watch out for high excess charges on claims arising from “high risk” activities, too. snow-sure slopes up to 3,020m on the linked glacier ski areas of Tiefenbach and Rettenbach.

From £2,360 for four nights through Ski Solutions (020 7471 7700; skisolutions.com).

Last-minute luck in Les Gets,

linked-in Portes du Soleil domaine.

From £645 for four nights through Ski Weekends (023 8020 6971; skiweekends.com).

Quiet cruising in Grossarl,

grossarlerhof.at) including a three-day lift pass. Flights and transfers extra.

Beat the queues in Argentière, France

The village of Argentière, a 90-minute drive from Geneva airport, is part of the Chamonix ski area. There’s access to the high-altitude Grands Montets slopes, and shuttles to Chamonix for more skiing plus intense après and nightlife if desired. Rent a onebedroom alcove apartment through Lagrange at Le Cristal d’Argentière for a good shot at the first lift.

From £166.50 for three nights through Lagrange (020 7371 6111; lagrangeholidays.co.uk), not including travel.

Das Central hotel in Solden, Austria, above, where skiers on an early flight to Innsbruck could arrive in time for lunch