As Christmas approaches, it’s the time of the year when people start heading off on their winter vacations. For many, the thrill of a winter holiday is no longer limited to traditional activities such as skiing, sledging and skating. Racing across magical icy landscapes on a skidoo, ice fishing in Scandinavia, snow rafting and ziplining in Norway, and night sledding with huskies and reindeer are just some of the adventure activities included in an ever-increasing offering from specialist UK tour operators such as Crystal Ski, TUI, and Exodus.
The possibilities for activities to do whilst on your winter vacation are now seemingly endless and, whilst keen to make new memories, you may be more inclined to throw caution to the wind and try something adventurous and new! However, before you do, it is important to ensure you know exactly what is involved before signing up to an activity out of your usual comfort zone.
Ensuring you have a safe winter adventure
Whatever the activity, keep the following top tips in mind to minimise the risk of your dream holiday turning into a nightmare:
- Travel insurance – Check your policy is in date and that it covers the whole family. It is also important to check your policy for a list of excluded activities. You may need a specialist winter activities policy, but even then, some activities may be excluded.
- Listen to the instructors – Are you satisfied they are competent to safely guide you through the activity? Have they answered any questions you raised? Have you been provided with all the safety equipment needed, and does it all fit correctly? Are you physically fit enough to undertake the activity?
- Avoid alcohol – A couple of drinks on the ski slopes or a long lunch in the winter sun has long been the norm and most enjoy this with sensible caution. However, accidents are frequent and if you are unfortunate to be involved in one and you need to rely on your travel insurance, alcohol consumption may void your policy and you could be left with expensive medical bills, particularly in the US.
- Signing waivers – You may be required to sign a waiver before taking part in a winter sports or adventure activity. Make sure the waiver is in your language and don’t sign anything you don’t understand. Many waivers do not stand up in law, however this will be determined by the law of the country where the activity is taking place. Sign with caution!
What to do if something goes wrong
Being prepared for if something was to go wrong will not dampen the thrill and fun of your adventure, but it will put you in a better position both practically and legally if it does.
- Request help – Make sure you know the number for the emergency services in the country where you are on vacation and make sure your phones are fully charged before setting off.
- Take photos – This is not often thought about until it is too late. Keep calm and make sure another person in your group takes photographs of the scene.
- Gather witnesses – Take names, addresses and contact numbers of potential witnesses or third parties involved in any accident. Be wary of only taking a phone number as this could be purposely falsified.
- Keep records and receipts – Document any expenditure you incur.
- Report the incident – Get hold of a copy of an accident report from the local police or the organisers of the activity.
Have fun on your winter adventure holiday but make sure staying safe is your number one priority. If something doesn’t feel right, then take a step back and question it until you are satisfied. Remember to prepare before you go and double check your insurance policy!
Happy winter adventuring!
