Glacier walking, heli-skiing, tobogganing and curling are just some of the more unusual winter travel activities that are increasing in popularity as adrenaline junkie holiday-makers among us take to the mountainside in search of new thrills -- without travel insurance (http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1catId=63300708's38;mediaId=19300208).
Exciting as these sports may (or may not!) sound, the number of novices trying them out mean that ski slopes are fast becoming saturated with hoards of less experienced holidaymakers
trying out potentially dangerous winter sports for the very first time. However, for many, it seems that taking out adequate travel insurance (http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1catId=63300708's38;mediaId=19300208) cover for these new
activities doesn'st even make it onto the holiday checklist.
According to Post Office Travel Insurance (http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1catId=63300708's38;mediaId=19300208), almost a quarter of
UK holidaymakers would consider going on holiday this year without travel insurance in a bid to save money. Very alarming when considering that medical expenses typically make up an
estimated 72 per cent of ski travel insurance claim costs.
Medical costs in popular eurozone winter holiday destinations such as France, Italy and Austria could be around 18 per cent higher than this time last year, and those departing for Aspen
or Vail in the USA could face a 29 per cent increase in medical costs. Those without insurance could face air ambulance fees of up to 's163;12,000 (from Italy) or 's163;50,000 from the
USA if they are injured.
Activities covered with Post Office'ss Travel Insurance Winter Sports Cover, include:
* cross-country skiing
* skiing on- or off-piste
* curling (off-piste only with a qualified guide or instructor)
* dog sledding
* snowboarding on- or off-piste
* downhill skiing (off-piste only with a qualified guide or instructor)
* glacier walking
* heli-skiing
* snowmobiling
* ice skating
* speed skating
* mogul skiing
* tobogganing
* mono skiing