Travel insurance warning for drinkers on the piste

Tue, 22 Nov 2005

High altitude alcohol consumption could be particularly dangerous for winter sports enthusiasts, new research shows.

One in three young Britons get into trouble while on skiing and snowboarding holidays abroad, because of a "lethal combination" of alcohol, altitude and adrenaline, says Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Almost half of young travellers are unaware that the beer they have at high altitude will affect them differently than the beer they have at their local UK pub, the FCO found.

Of the 36 per cent of high altitude drinkers, a third were injured under the influence of alcohol.

"If you injure yourself whilst under the influence of alcohol, it is very likely your insurance policy will be invalid," warns Dean Hurlock of the FCO.

"This could mean high costs - if you break a leg on the Alps, a trip in an air ambulance and treatment could set you back £10,000."

Almost a third of winter sports enthusiasts still fail to take out adequate travel insurance however, with 66 per cent of them neglecting to take copies of their passports, travel insurance policies and credit card details on holiday with them.

"Being aware of this and making some simple preparations, like ensuring your insurance policy covers you for everything you are likely to do, could mean the difference between a holiday to remember and one you'd give anything to forget," Mr Hurlock concludes.

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