Getting cover is pretty straightforward for skiers and boarders wanting to stay on-piste, but it gets more complex if you’re going to ride the backcountry or off-piste even within resort boundaries. Read on for backcountry insurance tips and traps, and hear from Australian backcountry legend Doug Chatten on his love of the great (white) outdoors.
What is backcountry and off-piste skiing and boarding?
Off-piste skiing is all about getting out into the unspoiled backcountry, to explore the unmarked and unpatrolled natural terrain either inside or outside ski resort boundaries.
Getting off-piste allows you to access remote areas with untouched snow and incredible views. Backcountry skiing offers a level of adventure, freedom and challenge many skiers and boarders crave.
We asked Doug Chatten of Snowy Mountains Backcountry what attracted him to the backcountry more than 30 years ago. ‘As a resort skier, I always stood at the resort area boundary looking over at the unsurpassed vistas thinking how do I get out there because it looks amazing,’ he says. ‘I just wanted to access that beautiful country and get away from the ski lifts.’
What are some of the world’s best backcountry and off-piste skiing destinations?
There is no shortage of bucket list backcountry destinations around the world. Here are Doug Chatten’s top three:
- Off-piste skiing in Japan is famous for its deep and dry powder snow, diverse and scenic terrain and rich and vibrant culture. ‘Japan's a really memorable experience because it's a cultural experience, not just beautiful snow, though the snow is fantastic,’ Doug says.
- Canada is a paradise for backcountry and off-piste skiers and boarders, offering vast and varied landscapes, abundant and reliable snow and world-class facilities and services. ‘I love Canada because we’re on the same wavelength,’ says Doug. ‘Communication is easy. If something goes wrong, the rescue services are much more reliable and easier to access.’
- Australia is a stunning destination for backcountry and off-piste skiers and boarders, boasting challenging and rewarding terrain. ‘I've had some of my best backcountry skiing here in Australia, and I've skied a lot of places around the world,’ Doug shares. ‘Australia's a great place for people to get their skills together because we have no crevasse hazard and while we do have avalanches in Australia, we have a maritime snowpack which is generally more stable. Hazards like steep icy surfaces, poor visibility and hypothermic conditions are more commonly experienced. It’s important to be capable of dealing with all of the hazards you might face.’
Tips for tackling backcountry skiing.
Backcountry skiing requires a different set of skills than resort skiing including a higher fitness level, specialised equipment, and knowledge about the weather, snow conditions and how to manage the hazards. It also comes with a risk of injury. That’s why it’s essential to be prepared before venturing into the backcountry. Here’s some advice from Doug:
- Do a tour or course before you go it alone: If you're brand new, you should start small and build up, or else do a tour to learn how to do it safely. There are hazards in the mountains 24/7. At Snowy Mountains Backcountry, we provide backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and splitboarding experiences that teach you how to be safe and have a good time in the backcountry. So it's a day of learning, but it's a day of fun as well, which is really what it’s all about.
- Know the weather conditions: You always need to look at the weather. In Australia, we need to prepare for hypothermic conditions, especially from temperatures on the cusp of zero when it rains. Steep, icy surfaces are abundant in our climate and can be very dangerous.
- Operate within the group’s capabilities: Be realistic about what your capabilities are but also what the capabilities of the whole group are and operate within them.
- Make and stick to an achievable plan: Get yourself a route plan and have a safety buffer in that route plan. Prepare for getting lost because whiteouts are common in Australia.
Why do you need special insurance for backcountry and off-piste snow sports?
If you plan to ski or snowboard in the backcountry or off-piste, you need to ensure you have adequate insurance to cover you in case something goes wrong. Many standard travel insurance policies won’t cover you for any accidents or injuries that happen while you’re participating in snow sports off-piste or backcountry, and domestic travel insurance won’t cover medical expenses. If you get hurt, therefore, you may have to pay big bills out of your own pocket. It can get expensive and stressful, especially if you’re overseas.
Some travel insurance policies may offer some cover for off-piste skiing, but you might have to pay extra, and they may have other conditions. For example, they may only cover you if you are skiing with a qualified guide, within a certain distance from the resort or on a marked route. They may also exclude certain types of terrain, such as glaciers, or certain modes of transport, such as helicopters or snowmobiles. They may also have lower limits or higher excesses for off-piste skiing claims.
How to choose the best insurance for your backcountry and off-piste skiing trip.
Before you book your backcountry and off-piste skiing trip, do some research and compare your insurance options. Here are some tips to help you find the best insurance for your needs:
- Read the product disclosure statement (PDS) carefully and understand what is covered and not covered by your insurance policy. Look for any terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations that may affect your claim.
- Check the destinations, activities, and modes of transport that are covered by your insurance policy. Make sure that they match your itinerary and plans. For example, if you are going to ski in Japan, make sure that Japan is a covered destination. If you will use a helicopter or a snowmobile, make sure they are covered modes of transport.
- Check the benefits, limits, and excesses that apply to your insurance policy. Make sure that they are sufficient and reasonable for your situation and expectations.
- Compare the price and value of your insurance policy with other options. Make sure that you’re getting the best value and that you’re not paying for unnecessary features. For example, if you already have travel insurance, you would not need to pay for another policy that covers the same things. But if your travel insurance doesn’t cover everything you need, something like Flip Active or Flip Roaming might fill the gaps. And if you only need cover for a few days, don’t pay for a whole trip, or a whole season.
- Choose an insurance provider with a good reputation and a proven track record of delivering quality service and support. Look at reviews and testimonials from other customers.
- Look for an insurance provider with a clear and easy claims process, a responsive and helpful customer service team and simple policy documents.
Flip covers off-piste and backcountry adventurers.
Flip provides cover to people for accidental injuries they get while skiing or snowboarding on or off-piste. Flip is different from other insurance providers because it applies very fewrestrictions based on what you can do or where you can go. As long as you're following the local laws and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you’re generally good to go.
Explore our website and read the Product Disclosure Statements to learn about our three different products to see if Flip Insurance might be right for you.
