Ski insurance for UK skiers in Samoëns: GHIC, travel cover and resort policies

What the GHIC does and does not do

The UK Global Health Insurance Card gives access to medically necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area on the same basis as a resident, which may be free or may involve the same payment a local would make. It is free, lasts up to five years and should be applied for through the NHS website, not through unofficial sites that charge a fee.

The NHS is explicit that the GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance and advises private travel and medical insurance for the whole trip. The UK government’s travel advice for France adds that you should have appropriate insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation. In an emergency, call 112.

• GHIC: free, valid up to 5 years, covers necessary state healthcare
• Emergency number in France: 112
• Grand Massif resort insurance: Mon Assurance Ski: rescue on and off-piste, medical costs, unused services
• Carré Neige: €3.50 per person per day
• Carré Neige ceiling: €50,000, single €50 excess per claim

Resort ski insurance with your lift pass

Grand Massif Domaines Skiables offers Mon Assurance Ski when you buy a pass. According to its page, it covers rescue costs on and off-piste within the ski area, medical costs, broken equipment and unused services such as lessons, lift passes and equipment rental. For passes whose reference resort is Flaine, Morillon, Samoëns or Sixt, the GMDS terms apply; Les Carroz passes use separate SOREMAC terms. Read the policy document before buying.

Carré Neige: an example of daily cover

Carré Neige is another widely sold resort insurance in France, at €3.50 per person per day, with the price capped for stays of 8 to 21 days. Its standard product covers ski and snow-sports accidents on the ski area, including off-piste reachable from the lifts, sledging accidents, illness during the stay and repatriation, with a €50,000 ceiling and a single €50 excess per claim. No advance payment for rescue is needed if you show proof of cover. It is sold through partner resorts, not online, so check what your point of sale offers.

• Check your travel policy explicitly includes winter sports
• Carry your GHIC and policy details on the slopes
• Keep lift pass and lesson receipts for unused-day claims

Choosing your cover

The resort policies described above mainly protect you on the ski area: rescue, first transport, medical costs and unused days. The NHS and the UK government both point UK visitors towards private travel insurance for the trip as a whole, so check that your policy explicitly includes winter sports. Keep the policy number and assistance phone number to hand: Carré Neige, for instance, waives advance payment for rescue only if proof of cover is shown at the time.

Quick answers

Does the GHIC cover mountain rescue in France? No. The GHIC only covers necessary state healthcare; the NHS advises private travel and medical insurance as well.

What does the Grand Massif ski insurance cover? Mon Assurance Ski covers rescue on and off-piste in the ski area, medical costs, broken equipment and unused lessons, passes and rental.

How much does Carré Neige cost? €3.50 per person per day for the standard product, capped for stays of 8 to 21 days.