Ski Mountaineering Travel Insurance Quote

Cover for ski mountaineering up to 4,000 metres — climbing under your own power with the equipment the route needs, and skiing down.

What is covered

• Ski mountaineering to 4,000 metres
• Use of crampons, ice axe and ropes on the ascent
• Glacier travel and glacier skiing
• Ski touring, off piste with a guide and without, and your ordinary skiing — all included

Emergency medical and repatriation is £10,000,000, with mountain rescue and search and rescue up to £50,000.

Everything below it is included

Ski mountaineering sits above the other winter sports activities, so they come with it.

You do not need to add ski touring or off piste separately.

Touring or mountaineering? It depends how you got up

People describe it the same way — we skinned up and dropped in — and that sentence covers both activities.

The classification turns on how you reached the top, not what you skied down.

Skins and skis the whole way, with a bit of boot-packing — that is ski touring.

Crampons, an ice axe or a rope to get up — that is ski mountaineering.

The aim of ski touring is to traverse the mountains.

The aim of ski mountaineering is to climb them, and ski down from the top.

If the route needs technical equipment at any point, it is ski mountaineering, even if most of the day was on skins.

The altitude limits

The ceiling matters here more than on any other winter activity, so it is worth being exact.

• Ski mountaineering — up to 4,000 metres
• Mountaineering — up to 4,500 metres, a separate activity at a higher level

Above 4,000 metres on skis you are into mountaineering rather than ski mountaineering, and it needs to be on your policy as such.

Mont Blanc is 4,808 metres, so it is above both limits.

If that is the objective, call us on 0800 043 0020 before you buy.

Tell us the summit and the route when you quote and we will put you on the right activity.

Three conditions

Not on your own

At least one other insured adult, or a guide.

Carry avalanche safety equipment

Transceiver, shovel and probe. All three, and know how to use them.

This is a condition of the cover.

Not against local advice

If the guides bureau, the hut warden or the avalanche service say the route is not on, it is not on.

Ice climbing is a different activity

Ice climbing sits on the main activity schedule rather than the winter sports one, and it has its own altitude bands.

If your trip includes ice climbing as well as skiing, it needs adding separately.

Call us and we will set both up.

Common questions

Is ski mountaineering covered?

Yes, up to 4,000 metres, with ski mountaineering on your policy.

What is the altitude limit?

4,000 metres for ski mountaineering.

Mountaineering is a separate activity and goes to 4,500 metres.

Can I go higher than 4,000 metres?

Not on ski mountaineering.

Above that it is mountaineering, which reaches 4,500 metres.

Call us with the objective and we will tell you what is available.

Am I covered on Mont Blanc?

Mont Blanc is 4,808 metres, above both limits.

Call us before you buy.

Does using crampons change the classification?

Yes.

Crampons, an ice axe or a rope on the ascent make it ski mountaineering rather than ski touring.

We skinned up and skied down. Which is it?

Skins and skis with some boot-packing is ski touring.

If you needed technical equipment to get up, it is ski mountaineering.

What is the difference between ski touring and ski mountaineering?

Touring traverses the mountains.

Ski mountaineering climbs them and skis down from the top, using the equipment the route requires.

Does ski mountaineering include ski touring?

Yes, and off piste and your ordinary skiing.

Is glacier travel covered?

Yes, including roped glacier travel and glacier skiing.

Do I need a guide?

You need to be with at least one other insured adult, or a guide.

Is ice climbing covered on this?

No.

Ice climbing is a separate activity on the main schedule with its own altitude bands, and it needs adding to your policy.

Is personal liability covered?

No, not for ski mountaineering.

Does an annual policy cover ski mountaineering?

Yes, with the activity added.

Is my equipment covered?

Yes.

Own equipment up to £2,000 with a £1,000 single item limit, hired equipment up to £750.

Can I get cover with a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, where the condition is on our accepted list.

See medical conditions.

Get a quote

Ski mountaineering cover is on the quote on this page.

Tell us the summit and the route if you are near 4,000 metres, so the activity on your policy matches what you are doing.

Full terms, conditions and exclusions are in the policy wording.

Personal liability

Personal liability does not apply to ski mountaineering.

You are covered for injury to yourself.

You are not covered for claims made against you.