Backcountry Explained

Slackcountry and Backcountry are OK but “Out of Bounds” or “Closed” is simply off limits.

The biggest question these days with travel insurance is whether backcountry skiing and snowboarding is covered. With TuGo insurance, the Adventure Sports Rider will cover you for both Slackcountry and Backcountry but never for “Out of Bounds” usually marked by “Temporary or Permanently Closed” signs due to unsafe conditions such as avalanche danger and cliffs.

Slackcountry is defined as easy to reach, off-piste riding within the Ski Area Boundary or slightly beyond but may have ropes and warnings for expert riders only and is not closed or “Out of Bounds”

Backcountry is defined as intently touring outside the “Ski Area Boundary” and requires avalanche training, safety and survival equipment such as a beacon, probe, shovel and ideally a partner. Backcountry is further defined as a “mountain area that is not marked, not patrolled and/or not cleared for avalanche dangers, but where public access is permitted.”

“Out of Bounds” or “Closed” areas on the other hand are NOT covered and can further be defined as: “any mountain area that:  Has been closed off to public access; or, has been identified as “Out-of-bounds” and/or can typically only be accessed by crossing a fenced, gated or roped-off area that has been marked as “Closed” according to recommendations of safety authorities in the area”  Usually these area are clearly marked in red signage with the attached risk of losing your pass privileges.

Whether your planning to slack million-dollar ridge or go well beyond the “Ski Area Boundary” and tour Decker Lake, you’re safest best is to READ the signs, be prepared and play safe!

Courtesy of Jody Wright, Owner of BC & Whistler Travel Insurance

A Guide to Purchasing Travel Insurance for Skiing & Snowboarding

With panoramic views and captivating ski scenes, who doesn’t love to hit the slopes every year to enjoy winter sports in Canada? Whether you’re a powder-hound or a family on an annual snow vacation, if you plan to ski or snowboard, it’s important to make sure that you have the right travel insurance coverage for your trip.

Did you know that skiing and snowboarding accounts for most winter sports injuries? And while most snow enthusiasts understand the risks of injury, there isn’t enough information on travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding. So before you start prepping to hit the slopes, arm yourself with the facts to help you select travel insurance that suits your needs.

Emergency Medical is a Must

This one’s a no-brainer, but you need to make sure that you’re covered for treatment at the nearest medical facility, in case anything goes awry when skiing or snowboarding outside of your province.

Besides covering any accidents on the hill, our travel medical insurance covers mishaps on the trip to the resort too. We also cover rental of essential medical equipment including crutches, air casts, boot casts, etc.  Here are two top reasons to invest in medical insurance and what you should look out for:

Your Provincial Healthcare will cover only part of the expenses

If you’re outside of your home province, provincial health care doesn’t cover ambulance or return of vehicle, among other expenses! If you’re skiing or snowboarding outside of Canada, remember that provincial health care covers less than 10% of your medical costs.

Air Ambulance and Emergency Air Evacuation

Skiing and snowboarding are both all about the thrill, but what would be your biggest concern in case of a medical emergency on the slopes? Getting immediate medical care, of course. Our Emergency Medical plan covers your expenses if you need to see the local or resort medical practitioner or if ground or air ambulance and paramedics have to transfer you from the accident to the nearest hospital.

Search and Rescue volunteers can help you get to the nearest medical facility, but subsequent expenses can be covered with travel insurance.

Our Emergency Air Transportation benefit can help you with medical evacuation at the time of hospitalization for return to Canada or transfer to a different hospital. This benefit doesn’t just include air evacuation, but will also cover you for the cost of an airline seat upgrade, if medically necessary. It’s important to note that the emergency air transportation benefit is only payable when it’s pre-approved and arranged by Claims at TuGo.

Extreme Skiing

If you’ve always dreamed of taking your skiing to the next level, there are many ways travel insurance can protect you on your amped-up skiing or snowboarding adventures:

Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding

Aspiring to venture off-piste is common for seasoned skiers; and it’s easy to do in Canada, with access to many remote slopes that are still within the ski boundaries. If you’re skiing backcountry away from your home province, travel insurance becomes a must to avoid any out-of-pocket expenses.

TuGo covers backcountry, slackcountry and off-piste skiing and snowboarding when you add the Adventure Optional Sports Coverage to your Emergency Medical Plan. However, we don’t cover out-of-bound skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. Learn more about how we define out-of-bounds and details on coverage for backcountry skiers.

Heli-skiing

Many ski aficionados are now adding cat-skiing, heli-skiing and heli-boarding to their winter activities wish lists. Unlike backcountry skiing, helicopter ski tours allow skiers to access the remote terrains without the physical effort of hiking. But inaccessible slopes also require skiers to have the right back up in case of a medical emergency.

If heli-skiing is on your bucket list, make the adventure both memorable and safe by ensuring that the activity is covered by your winter sports insurance.

While many insurance companies don’t offer travel insurance coverage for heli-skiing, we do! TuGo’s Emergency Medical Insurance will cover you for medical expenses in case you need an air ambulance to be transported to the nearest medical facility and also reimburse for hospital and treatment expenses. Although, it’s important to know that we’ll cover you for heli-skiing only when you book through a tour operator and not if you’re doing it on your own.

Baggage Insurance for Your Ski Equipment

If you’re flying with your skis, purchasing additional Baggage Insurance is a good idea. Our Baggage Insurance covers the loss, damage or theft of your ski gear while in transit or when you’re in your hotel or resort. This is provided you’ve notified police and relevant authorities at your accommodation or mode of transport. Read the policy wording carefully to learn about the exact amount of coverage for your ski or snowboard gear.

Here’s another thing that comes in handy with our policy; if you’re air ambulanced back home under our Emergency Air Transportation benefit, and there’s no room on the aircraft, we cover the return of excess baggage when pre-approved by Claims at TuGo. Skis and boards usually fall in this category on a full flight!

Travel Insurance for Freestyle Skiing Contests

Planning to master aerial, moguls and half-pipes for a freestyle ski contest? TuGo’s Adventure Sports Coverage protect both amateur and professional freestylers and snowboarders when you participate in, coach, teach, train or practice for Downhill Freestyle Skiing/Snowboarding in Organized Contests.

Freestyle skiers can now be covered by travel insurance

Note that for speed contests and motorized X Game sports, you’ll have to buy additional Extreme Sports Coverage. Check in with TuGo’s Customer Service team on our toll-free number 1-855-929-8846 in case you’re not sure about travel insurance coverage for the snow sport that you’re participating in. We’ll be more than happy to clarify specific questions related to the event/activity.

Comprehensive Winter Sports Travel Insurance

Looking for new ways to get adrenaline on ice? Apart from travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding, TuGo offers comprehensive protection for your winter sports activities when you purchase the Optional Sports Coverages.  This includes everything from recreational activities like snowshoeing and snowmobiling to adventure sports like Snow Kiting and Ice Climbing.

Whether you’re a basic ski bunny or a daredevil powder-hound, check out our guide to winter sports travel insurance to find the plan that’ll best match your winter adventure itinerary. Be extra prepared by understanding what’s covered in your policy and ski responsibly; and don’t forget…your snow sports travel insurance could be denied if you sustain injuries under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Have any travel insurance related questions for an upcoming winter trip? Share with us in the comments below.

Happy skiing and happy travels,