Winter Sports Holiday Insurance

It's that time of year again - winter sports travel season is fast approaching. So pack your skis, get your snowboard at the ready and prepare for some fast-paced, adrenaline-fuelled fun on the slopes this winter.

Accident and emergency

One thing many people don't think about when they're headed off on a winter sports break is taking out adequate travel insurance. It makes sense really - think about all the things that could (but hopefully won't) go wrong on your break? From a broken leg to stolen skiing equipment, there are plenty of things that could happen, so do you really want to take the risk of travelling without insurance?

Most single trip policies start from as little as £6.17 and adding specialist winter sports cover means your equipment is also protected, as well as gadget cover to make sure your MP3 player, camera and smartphone stay safe.

Choose wisely

If you're not sure where to head on your snowboarding break, check out some popular destinations online. You'll be able to find a wealth of information on the facilities, entertainment, night life and climate before you book your break, so there should be no nasty surprises when you turn up.

You'll find everything from buzzing ski resorts popular with an upmarket crowd to quieter, family resorts where the kids can have fun messing around on child-friendly slopes. So do your research and ensure you book the resort that's perfect for you.

Pack light

Try not to pack things you won't need for your holiday. Most resorts should have shops selling everything from toiletries to ski and snowboarding equipment and sun protection suitable for the slopes, so just take the essentials.

A first aid kit is always a great idea, particularly if you're travelling with kids, so make sure you take plenty of plasters, wound dressings and antiseptic cream, as well as basics such as pain relief tablets.

Popular resorts

Some of the most popular destinations to head to this year include Switzerland, the USA and France and those who have been on skiing holidays before will know the hot spots to head to.

Try to think outside the box when choosing a resort - there are plenty of family friendly ski resorts in the USA that offer something a bit different from a traditional chalet ski break in Switzerland.

So broaden your horizons, get online and start researching the best spots that the whole family will love. Likewise, if you're flying solo, there are ski resorts where there are plenty of organised activities for singles, so it will be easy to meet new people and have a great holiday - there's sure to be one to suit you.