ABTA issues warning to winter sports lovers
ABTA is urging skiers and snowboarders to stay safe on the slopes this half-term, one of the busiest weeks of the season, and reminding them of the importance of wearing a helmet.
It said research revealed that a third of people still ski without helmets, despite recent increased interest in ski safety.
Almost a third of those doing winter sports don’t bother taking out the right travel insurance either, said ABTA, exposing themselves to the risk of high medical bills if they get injured.
"If you are planning to go off-piste or to undertake activities such as heli-skiing remember that many insurance policies won’t cover you for risk activities, skiing at certain altitudes, for damage to rental equipment or skiing off-piste without a guide," it said.
It also urged skiers and snowboards to check weather forecasts and avalanche warnings as there has been a higher than average number of fatalities in the Alps this season, mainly due to off-piste avalanches, it said.
"Recent heavy snowfalls in European resorts have created fantastic conditions, however they have built an unstable snow base and the perfect environment for the creation of an avalanche. Many European resorts are displaying high avalanche warnings," it said.
ABTA has an advice section with winter sports tips on its website and has worked with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to produce a winter sports checklist.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025