Insurance at Swiss Ski Resorts

Insurance at Swiss Ski Resorts The insurance products most commonly associated directly with a ski pass in Switzerland are often categorised as PassProtect (reimbursement only) and SkiCare /…

Insurance at Swiss Ski Resorts

The insurance products most commonly associated directly with a ski pass in Switzerland are often categorised as

PassProtect (reimbursement only) and

SkiCare / SnowAssist (reimbursement plus assistance/rescue).

1. Reimbursement Coverage

This coverage compensates you for the value of your unused lift-related purchases on a pro-rata basis if you cannot ski due to a covered event.

Feature	Detailed Application in Swiss Resorts
Reimbursement of Unused Ski Pass	Covered events : accident, illness, or death of the insured person or a close relative. A valid medical certificate is always required.
Linked Costs	This coverage explicitly includes reimbursement for unused pre-booked ski/snowboard lessons and rental equipment costs that are associated with the unused pass duration.
Example (Nendaz/Veysonnaz):	Products like "PassProtect" specifically offer this basic reimbursement cover for the pass, lessons, and equipment.

2. Assistance & Rescue Coverage (Comprehensive Plans like SkiCare/SnowAssist)

This is the more robust level of coverage, crucial for mountain emergencies, and is often offered as a separate or premium option (e.g., "Assist" option by Europ Assistance)

Feature	Detailed Application in Swiss Resorts
Mountain Rescue and Transport	Covers the high cost of search, rescue, and emergency assistance on the open slopes, executed by the resort's patrol team (often with a maximum limit, e.g., CHF 350 for search/rescue).
Ambulance/Helicopter	Covers transport by ambulance or helicopter from the bottom of the slopes to the nearest hospital, typically within Switzerland, and often up to a high limit (e.g., CHF 10,000).
Medical Expenses	Reimbursement for emergency medical costs incurred in Switzerland following the accident, up to a set maximum (e.g., CHF 10,000).
Repatriation	Covers medical repatriation to your usual place of residence (requires prior agreement from the insurer).
Driver Service	Some comprehensive plans include the cost of providing a driver to take your vehicle home if you are unable to drive following an insured event.
Example (Europ Assistance 'Assist'):	This option explicitly includes rescue, ambulance/helicopter transport, emergency medical costs in Switzerland, and driver services.

3. Weather-Related ski insurance

This is a specific benefit that is often subject to strict conditions and may not apply to season/annual passes.

Feature

Detailed Application in Swiss Resorts

Adverse Weather/Closure

Reimbursement (pro-rata) if the ski domain must close due to conditions like stormy wind, avalanche risk, or excess snow.

Specific Conditions

Conditions are resort-specific. For example:<ul><li>Nendaz/Veysonnaz (4 Vallées): Compensation if fewer than 5 lifts are operating.

Saas-Fee: Reimbursement if five or fewer lifts are open in the ski area after 12:00 noon due to extreme weather.

Saas-Grund (Hohsaas): 100% refund if the entire area is closed, or 50% if the main route is closed before 1 p.m.

Purchasing and Activation Details

Method	Details and Examples
Automatic Inclusion (Day/Multi-day)	Some resorts, like Saas-Fee, automatically include a basic level of ski pass insurance (often from Europ Assistance) in the price of day and multi-day passes.
Supplementary Cover (Ticket Counter/Online)	You can often upgrade or add a more comprehensive plan (like SnowAssist Light or SkiCare) when you purchase your pass either at the ticket office or via the resort's webshop.
Independent Purchase	Insurances like those from Europ Assistance can be purchased entirely online up to one day before your ski pass's validity begins. This is an alternative if you buy your pass elsewhere.
Proof of Insurance	Your insured ski pass or the purchase receipt for the supplementary insurance usually serves as your proof of cover.

Cost

Pass Protect 4 CHF a day or CHF 69 for the season

Snow Assist 6 CHF a day or CHF 104 for the season

REGA Patronage (The Backcountry Safety Net)

Rega (Swiss Air-Rescue) is the non-profit foundation that handles most helicopter rescue missions in Switzerland.

This is a good Add on

Feature	Details
Annual Cost (Adult)	CHF 40.00 (Swiss Francs) per adul

Coverage Type	Not insurance. It is a patronage (donation) that grants a discretionary benefit.
Key Benefit (Waiver)	As a patron, Rega can waive or reduce the costs of a rescue mission (which can be CHF 3,000–5,000+) if your existing health or accident insurance does not fully cover them.
Waiver Guarantee	The waiver is NOT guaranteed. Rega is a charitable foundation, and the cost waiver is a "thank you" for your support, granted on a case-by-case basis. However, in practice, they waive the costs for patrons for missions they carry out or organize if no insurance pays.
Scope	Covers all of Switzerland, including search and rescue missions.
Repatriation	Also advises and organizes medical repatriation from abroad (though the waiver for the cost of repatriation is also discretionary).
Recommended for:	Essential for anyone doing any alpine activity in Switzerland (skiing, hiking, climbing), especially off-piste.