Ski Holiday Checklist

• The first thing to remember is to bring your ticket with you. You’ll need the real thing rather than your email confirmation so that it can be read by our ticket machines. When you book you can choose to print your ticket at home, have it sent to you by post or pick it up from your departure station yourself.
• You’ll also need your passport. It may strike you as obvious but you’d be surprised how many people forget, and we can’t let you on the train without it.
• We recommend you arrive to check in an hour before your train is due to depart. That way you’ll be able to avoid any queues and breeze straight through to the departure lounge.
• Especially for people travelling to the Alps we also allow an extra item of luggage per passenger, such as a pair of skis or a snowboard. That’s on top of the usual maximum of 2 medium-sized cases (85cm at their longest length), plus one item of hand luggage. Once on board, we’ve reserved an area in each carriage specifically for your large luggage, so you won’t have to struggle to make everything fit.
  

Know Before You Snow - Winter Sports Checklist

Planning a winter ski or snowboarding holiday? Don’t miss out on the fun – avoid injury and expensive medical costs by following our checklist.

Travel insurance
Many insurers offer specific winter sports cover – standard insurance policies may not cover you for these activities so make sure you’re fully covered for what you want to do. Medical costs can be very expensive if you get injured – for example, it could cost £4,120 to be treated for a broken leg in Italy, or £28,000 to treat a broken leg in Canada*. So it’s worth checking your policy!

*Figures include medical fees and repatriation. Source: Europ Assistance.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Travelling in Europe? It’s essential that you take a valid EHIC with you. If you have an accident or suddenly become ill you’ll receive the necessary state-provided medical healthcare for at reduced cost, or sometimes free. The EHIC is valid in the European Economic Area and Switzerland. But you still need to take out travel insurance as an EHIC won’t cover all your medical costs, private treatment or repatriation to the UK. Apply now at: www.ehic.org.uk.

Know your limits
Alcohol invalidates some insurance policies, and can affect you more quickly at high altitudes and affect your awareness of the cold, putting you in danger.

Be at your peak
Get fit so you can enjoy your holiday more; if you’re not physically prepared you’re more likely to be at risk of injury.

Check www.fco.gov.uk/travel before you go
For the latest country travel advice, tips and winter sports information, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or call 0845 850 2829.