Stay Safe On Slopes This Christmas

THURSDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2009
Submitted By: Mariangela Silvestre

As the festive season approaches, the ski holiday is perhaps the most obvious choice for those looking to book a winter break.

Yet the economic crash appears to have caused a significant reduction in the number of holiday-goers opting for ski excursions: according to the Guardian newspaper, ski trip bookings fell 13% just last year, with empty beds being cheaply sold off last minute, and companies failing to make profit.

With the ski industry now struggling to break even, this year has seen a sharp rise in the cost of ski holidays. Those budget and last minute deals have become harder to find, with ski companies adopting a supply-and-demand approach to save money.(1)

But the holiday-maker can look to the new resorts to find cheaper alternatives away from the more obvious destinations in the French and Swiss Alps. The �piste� found in the Abruzzo Mountains in Italy offer a similar experience to the more renowned ski-spots, and without a glamorous reputation of the more established resorts, it is a more realistic option for the budget conscious.(2)

Add this to the money-saving options of mid-week excursions and the enormous range of budget flight tickets available across the internet, and a festive holiday spent skiing or snowboarding remains a possibility. Even over Christmas, when expenditure hits a seasonal high.

With the recession still a very real concern, cutting back on essentials like travel insurance may be a tempting prospect, with those splashing out on their ski holiday simply hoping the worst never happens.

Tellingly, a survey commissioned by AA Travel Insurance exposes the need for an insurance package covering winter sports-based holidays. The fact that 57%(3) of holiday goers are taking more adventurous trips, signals a need for people to make sure they are adequately covered when they travel.. A sizeable 19% of those surveyed had required medical attention when abroad. 1 With the cost of treatment abroad potentially far outweighing the cost of the holiday, getting adequate cover for a winter sports holiday is a must. AA Travel Insurance offers a policy which includes medical expenses cover of up to �10 million and 24 hour medical emergency support which could prove vital in a medical emergency.

A spokesperson for AA Travel Insurance said, �Accidents can happen on a small or a large scale. Being equipped with the right insurance isn�t tempting fate; an insurance policy on a winter sports holiday is imperative in any kind of emergency.�

Source: www.businesswire.com