Research shows extent of ‘drink-skiing’
Nearly 400,000, British skiers and snowboarders will take to the slopes under the influence of alcohol this winter season, says new research from Direct Line Travel Insurance.
Drinking is seen to be an integral part of a winter sports holiday for 31% of all British skiers, the research found.
Over the course of a week’s ski holiday, Brits who ‘drink-ski’ will consume 105 units of alcohol, the equivalent of 53 pints of beer or glasses of wine.
The research also found:
– 61% of those that drink and ski say consuming alcohol on the slopes is sociable and does not pose any threats or danger to safety
– 69% of drink-skiers justify drinking as they are not looking after a child and therefore don’t perceive themselves as putting others at risk
– 67% feel that their drinking behaviours are acceptable because other people are also embracing the apres-ski culture.
– 26% skiers claim a pint or two on the slopes helps their ability and increases their confidence
– 5.7 million British adults have witnessed or experienced first-hand an incident because of drink-skiing whilst on the slopes.~
"There is no doubt that apr-¨s-ski is a popular element of a winter sports holiday, but Brits who drink alcohol on the slopes should be extremely cautious and consider taking the ski lift or alternative route down," said Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line.
"Whilst alcohol may give them a new-found confidence, the slopes can be highly congested and with slower reaction times drink skiers could put both their own and other skiers’ safety at risk.
"With nearly six million Brits claiming to have witnessed – or worse, been involved in – a drink-skiing accident, we’re advising anyone enjoying a winter sports break to indulge in moderation to ensure that they do not wake up with more than just a sore head the next day."
~
The research was conducted by Opinium Research amongst 2,001 UK adults, of which 599 have been on a winter sports holiday.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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