Winter sports cover is designed to pay for the extra medical expenses you might need if you injure yourself on the slopes or fall ill while abroad, which a standard travel insurance policy might not offer. Some winter sports policies could even help fund rehabilitation physiotherapy when you return home.

Go.Compare’s research also shows that many Brits aren’t checking whether they are covered before they take to the slopes. The comparison site of those who have been on a winter sports holiday just 13% bought a specialist winter sports insurance policy, while 11% relied on an annual policy they thought covered them, but hadn’t checked.**

The analysis also revealed that over a third of travel insurance policies don’t replace hired ski equipment if it’s lost or damaged (41% of single-trip and 38% of annual policies).

Cover for piste closures also varies widely – 4% of single trip policies provide no compensation if ski areas close, while four in 10 (39%) cover £400 or more.

Rhys Jones, spokesperson at Go.Compare Travel Insurance said: “It’s easy to assume your travel insurance will protect you on a ski trip, and if you’ve got an annual policy in place, you might forget to check the conditions before you go. But as our analysis shows, this could be costly.

“It isn’t just about whether you’re covered if the piste is closed due to too little or too much snow, or if you lose your ski pass, having a specialist insurance policy in place means you’ll be protected if you injure yourself on the slopes. While standard travel insurance does cover some medical expenses, getting medical aid to someone injured on a mountain and recovering them is a more complex situation, often involving mountain rescue, and therefore costing more.

Rhys adds though, that there are limits: “Extreme winter sports like heli-skiing or competitive sports won’t be covered, though, and if you take to the piste after some pints at apres-ski or stray from the piste and get injured, your insurer could refuse your claim. So, remember to be responsible and stay sober on the slopes!”