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Off Piste Skiing and Snowboarding
Off Piste Travel Insurance
Almost all skiers and snowboarders, of whatever standard, dream of long runs off-piste in deep powder. It’s one of the long-lasting icons of winter sport: waist-deep champagne powder, face shots and stopping with your pals to get your breath after a long run.
DOGTAG 100% Proof Travel Insurance understands that all skiers and snowboarders have ambitions to get off piste whenever the conditions allow so we couldn’t see why it should be a separate level of cover; it should simply be included in our standard level of winter sports cover. So if you chose our Winter Sports Cover (of the appropriate duration) with your Annual Multi Trip, Single Trip or Gap Year insurance, you’ll automatically be covered for off piste skiing and boarding.
We often get asked by people looking for off-pist travel insurance what our definition of ‘Off-Piste’ is so we’ve given that below. It also appears in our FAQ’s. You should have a read at this because it’s important to understand the difference between standard off-piste travel insurance cover and other types of ‘out-of-resort’ skiing and boarding travel insurance.
Off-Piste - Standard Definitions:
Some people understand off piste (or backcountry) skiing or boarding to mean 'going out of bounds', i.e. outwith the resort. If you are going out of bounds or outwith marked areas of the resort, you must only do so with a fully qualified local guide. Even some areas within a resort may be considered out of bounds because they are hazardous. In some parts of North America, going out of bounds contravenes local law and you may, at best have your lift passs confiscated or worse, face arrest and have an overnight stay courtesy of the sherrif’s office.
It is your responsibility to ensure that on any particular day you are aware of and obey local advice, information and instructions given by the resort authorities and that you obey any signs and information you encounter on the mountain. If a section is marked 'closed' there will be a very good reason for it (e.g. high avalanche danger) and ignoring such signs or advice may invalidate your cover. You should be aware that under the terms of cover, needless self-exposure to peril except in an endeavour to save human life may invalidate your cover.
Other types of "off-piste" skiing.
There are several other types of skiing where you will venture off piste, out of the resort or 'out of bounds' but for which you require a higher level of cover, say, Sport+ or Extreme. This is because these specific types of off-piste are innately more risky that venturing off pist according to the above definition.
If, for instance you intend to venture off-piste by helicopter, most commonly known as ‘heliskiing’ or ‘heliboarding’ or its close relative, ‘Cat’-skiing and boarding or expect that you might be tempted to give it a try when you’re on holiday, then you will need a higher level of cover. Both of those types of ‘off-piste’ skiing require our Sport+ level of cover.
Similarly, Ski Mountaineering and Ski Touring are sports which can take you into the wild and untracked places of the mountains. Plainly, the risks of exposure to cold, fatigue and injury are greater here than in other commonly skied areas of the mountains. Consequently, both of these types of ‘off-piste’ activity require DOGTAG Extreme cover. If you chose the Extreme level of cover for say, Ski Mountaineering, it will automatically cover you for lower Sport+ and Sport grades of skiing too. If you want to know which category each sport falls into just check the Sports List.
Equipment and Safety:
Having adequate off-piste insurance is all very well but in order to get the maximum enjoyment and to minimize risk, you should take stock of a few issues: make sure your kit is in tip-top shape, that you are fit enough to undertake the physical exertion required when skiing or snowboarding off piste and that you have the correct safety equipment. For instance, a crash hat is considered de rigueur these days for all the right reasons. These days you hardly see a snowboarder without a helmet and skiers are taking their advice. If you think that you might be tempted to venture into a wooded area then it’s complete madness to go there without adequate head protection so get a proper branded ski/snowboarding helmet. You’ll also find that it’s easier to control your temperature with a helmet with adjustable vents than it is, say, with a wooly hat. And a woolly hat isn’t tree-proof.
The thin atmosphere of the mountain areas is very dry and this, physical exertion and sweating can cause you to de-hydrate rapidly. Make sure you take plenty of fluid. A first aid kit helps too.
Will I automatically get Helicopter Rescue?
Ski patrollers are generally very well trained and experienced at assessing injuries and managing the evacuation of the injured person off the mountain and to hospital in the manner most appropriate to the injured person's condition. They decide what is appropriate for the circumstances regardless of who insures you. Serious cases often involve helicopters but, more often, a combination of sled and ski lift is more immediate and appropriate. Other factors such as weather are also taken into account. Again, it is not uncommon to be asked for proof of insurance whilst on the mountain.
Back to the Sports List.