You've booked the accommodation, locked in the lift passes, ski gear and lessons, and purchased your resort entry pass. Before you pack the car, there's one more thing worth sorting: travel insurance.
Many people skip it when going on a domestic ski trip but snow holidays carry risks that a weekend away doesn't. Injuries are more likely, gear is expensive, and weather can change your plans with little warning. A few minutes checking your cover now can save a lot of stress and money later.
Don't assume snowsports are covered
This is the one that catches people out. Many standard travel insurance policies don't cover skiing and snowboarding automatically. Winter sports cover is often an optional add-on, and some policies only cover on-piste activity with marked, open runs and within the resort boundary.
Before you buy, check whether your policy covers:
- Skiing and snowboarding (and whether you need to add winters sports cover)
- Cross-country skiing and snow play, which are sometimes treated differently
- Off-piste or backcountry touring, which is often excluded or capped
- Guided snow tours and snowboarding, which usually need specific cover or may not be covered at all
- Lesson, which most policies cover but are worth confirming.
If your group is doing a mix of activities, check each one. A policy that covers your downhill days might not cover your cousin's backcountry tour.
What if there isn't enough snow?
It's the question every snow holiday maker eventually asks, and the answer surprises people.
Cover for a lack of snow is offered by very few insurance policies. Most insurers treat poor snow conditions as an ordinary risk of a snow holiday, so a cancellation or change of plans because the snow is thin, or the runs are limited, is typically not covered.
Where a policy does include some form of snow cover, it usually comes with strict conditions. These can include:
- a minimum number of days the resort must be closed, or the lifts or runs unavailable, before you can claim;
- limits on how much can be claimed, or only certain costs being covered (for example, unused lift passes or lessons);
- a requirement that cover was bought well before the conditions became a problem;
- exclusions for weather events that were already forecast or known when you bought the policy.
The takeaway: don't assume a policy has snow cover just because it mentions winter sports. Read the full Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and look specifically for how the policy treats lack of snow, lift closures and resort closures. If it isn't clearly stated, ask the insurer before you buy.
Is your credit card travel insurance enough?
Many credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance, and it's tempting to rely on it. For a snow holiday, especially a domestic one, it often won't do the job. Cover provided through a credit card does not always include snow holidays, and domestic trips are a common gap.
Things to check before you rely on it:
- Domestic trips. Some card policies only apply to overseas travel, or only to domestic trips of a minimum length, or where you've travelled a minimum distance from home.
- Winter sports exclusions. Skiing, snowboarding and other snow activities are commonly excluded or limited unless you add cover.
- How you paid. Cover often only applies if you paid for some or all of the trip, such as flights or accommodation, on that card.
- Who is covered. Check whether travelling companions, children and partners are included, and whether there are age limits.
- Limits and excesses. Medical, cancellation and gear limits on card policies can be lower than a standalone policy.
- What's still on offer. Card benefits change over time and some issuers have reduced or removed them, so check your card's current terms rather than relying on what you remember.
The simplest approach is to read your card's PDS or call the card provider and ask directly: "Does this cover a domestic snow holiday, including skiing or snowboarding?" If the answer is no, or unclear, consider a standalone policy.
What to look for in a policy
Medical costs and transport. Snow injuries can mean specialist treatment, ambulance transport and a long recovery. Check whether your policy covers ambulance and rescue costs, including transport off the mountain.
Cancellation and changes. If illness, injury or a family emergency forces you to cancel, will you get your money back? Cover usually applies only to listed reasons, so read the conditions carefully.
Gear. Check whether your own equipment is covered against loss, theft or damage, and what the limits are. If you hire gear, find out whether the rental shop's damage waiver is enough or whether your policy fills the gap.
Alcohol and risk. Most policies exclude claims where alcohol played a part in an accident. Après is part of the fun, but know your limits on and off the mountain.
Pre-existing conditions. Health conditions usually need to be declared, and some are excluded. Check this before you travel, especially for older family members.
What about Medicare?
Medicare helps with some medical costs for people living in Australia, but it doesn't cover everything. It may not cover some ambulance and transport costs, and it doesn't cover cancelled bookings or lost gear. International visitors generally have different arrangements and should check their own cover before arriving.
What about Ambulance Cover?
Falls Creek is very fortunate that it does have paramedics based at the village during the winter months. Ambulance cover is very affordable and is worth the peace of mind, especially a medical evacuation that can cost several thousand dollars as the nearest hospital for serious injuries or illnesses may be Albury or Melbourne. Some medical insurance does cover ambulance, so it is always best to check your policy, and that it covers interstate if you are not from Victoria.
Six tips for choosing
- Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). It's the only reliable source for what's actually covered.
- Match the policy to your activities, not just your destination.
- Check excesses and limits. A low premium with a high excess might not suit you.
- Buy it early. Cancellation cover usually starts when you buy the policy, so don't wait until the week before.
- Tell your whole group. Everyone travelling should have the right cover, including children.
- Keep your documents handy. Save your policy number and emergency contact details to your phone.
Booking with us
When you book through Falls Creek Central Reservations, we'll explain the cancellation and modification terms of your accommodation so you know exactly what to expect. If your plans might change, ask us about your options when you book.
We're not insurers, and we can't recommend a particular policy or give financial advice. This article is general information only, so compare products and check the details with your insurer.
Questions about your booking?
Call us on 1800 033 079 or email us
General information only. It does not take into account your personal circumstances and is not financial or insurance advice. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying a policy.