Win $10k holiday! T&Cs apply
Win $10k holiday! T&Cs apply
Hitting the slopes on your holiday? Here's some fast facts about this popular winter sport:
Keep reading to find out what travel insurance can help you with if you’re planning to go snowboarding this holiday.
If you're taking part in any snow activities, you have to purchase our Winter Sports Pack to be covered.
The Winter Sports Pack covers you for emergency evaluation from the ski slopes, as well as cover for cancellations, piste closure, rental ski gear excess, and more.
If you purchase a Winter Sports Pack, we might be able to help with the following:
You won’t be covered for anything arising from your snowboarding if:
If you’re interested in snowboarding, then you know already about Whistler Blackcomb. This is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, a whopping combination of two mountains and an almost unbelievable amount of terrain, more than 8000 acres separated into 240 marked trails and five terrain parks, all serviced by 26 lifts and gondolas. There are 12 restaurants on the mountain. More than 10 metres of snow falls here each year.
It’s little wonder Whistler is such a popular destination for snowboarders. You could spend a whole season here and not get bored. You could spend your life in Whistler and never get sick of it. Plenty of people do. If you’re looking for the ultimate snowboarding destination, this is it.
Still, if you’re a snowboarder and have a working bucket list, there are other resorts you need to add to it.
One is Lake Tahoe, the ski area straddling the border of California and Nevada in the USA. Lake Tahoe has plenty of mountains that will appeal to those riding a single deck: check out Kirkwood for the best powder, Northstar for a killer terrain park (and a great snowboard academy), Heavenly for long, carve-friendly groomers, and Squaw Valley for all of the above.
Also in the US, don’t miss powder-packed Snowbird in Utah, and character-filled Telluride in Colorado. Elsewhere around the world, snowboarders will definitely want to hit up Hakuba in Japan for incredible powder, Verbier in Switzerland for hardcore alpine terrain, and Cervinia in Italy for sheer diversity of terrain.
But, if you’re seeking one, just one...then make sure it’s Whistler Blackcomb for the best of all worlds.
Some studies show that a quarter of all snowboarding injuries occur during the snowboarder's first ride. For the beginner and pro alike, protective gear will not only reduce the risk of injury, but it makes learning easier. That’s because you’re likely to fall when you first start out...and even when you’ve been going for a while.
Dressing warm for some people means three t-shirts, a hoodie, and a puffer jacket. But when you’re snowboarding, you’ll be working up a sweat. To avoid being weighed down, good quality thermal underwear, light/waterproof jackets, quality gloves, and those all important boots will keep you warm, without the bulk.
From fresh snow to powder, to packed powder...there’s a multitude of snow conditions that will suit different types of snowboarders. Stay informed about different types of snow conditions because this will help you to navigate the snow better - especially if you’re just starting out.
Hitting the slopes is always more fun with someone, but it’s also safer. If you have an accident, you’ll likely need help, and if you have someone with you, it’ll stop something minor turning into something major.
Basic etiquette is important on the slopes and also keeps you safe. Some key tips are:
> The rider in front or below has the right of way
> Don't enter closed trails
> You should never stop in the middle of a path. If you need to stop, move to the side you're out of the way of other snowboarders/skiiers
> Keep your gear secure so it doesn't get in anyone's way.
You would have a provision to claim if you have a Winter Sports Pack for unused travel arrangements if you have to cancel your trip or your trip is shortened due to claimable events such as your injury or illness and the fees cannot be recouped from the provider.
We would not be able to provide medical cover for you if you are going against medical advice.
Provided you have a Winter Sports Pack, and are within the parameters stated in the Policy Wording, and you don’t have a Domestic or Frequent Traveller Domestic policy, then the medical benefit we offer is unlimited. Terms and conditions apply. Please note that we do not cover for Search and Rescue.
In an emergency, get yourself to hospital. As soon as it is possible, we advise that you or a member of your travelling party call our medical assistance team who will be able to liaise with you or the hospital.
Yes, we provide cover for off-piste snowboarding as long as it is within a short distance from designated areas of ski resort boundaries on groomed terrain that is open and patrolled by the ski resort.
We don’t cover backcountry snowboarding/skiing due to the high risk of snowboarding/skiing in a sparsely inhabited rural region over unmarked slopes.
Yes, our Winter Sports Pack includes cover for Rental Ski Equipment Hire Excess. Limits and exclusions apply. Please refer to the Policy Wording for further information.
We do not directly provide cover for rental gear. However, we provide cover for Rental Ski Equipment Hire Excess. Terms and conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please refer to the Policy Wording for further information.
If you own your equipment, then there is a provision to claim if something happens to your snowboarding gear. This is under our standard Luggage and Personal Effects benefit. Please note that this cover does not extend to when the equipment is in use. Limits apply. Refer to the Policy Wording for further information.
Find out all information you need about what’s covered and what’s not before you go adventuring.
Award-winning travel writer Ben Groundwater reveals a secret place in Japan that you have to try if you want a truly authentic snow experience.
Have a pre-existing medical condition that might affect your trip? Pregnant? Or want to know about repatriation? Find out everything you need to know here.
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