Drunk Skiing Invalidates Insurance

British skiers who have one too many drinks before taking to the slopes could find themselves out in the cold if they need to claim off their travel insurance.

Snow enthusiasts drink on average three and a half times the UK recommended weekly intake of alcohol whilst on a winter holiday, according to research from Halifax.

Men consume around 100 units of alcohol during their week-long break whilst women generally drink around 71. This means 86 per cent of skiers or snowboarders hit the slopes the next day feeling "worse for wear".

Around eight per cent consequently injure themselves and lose a further two days on the piste. Nearly half of those with alcohol-related injuries require hospital treatment with a further five per cent injuring someone else in the process.

But over half of skiers maintain that après-ski is an important part of their holiday. Skiers in Austrian resorts drink the most with an average of 114 units consumed per week. This is followed by France with 87 units and Andorra with 84 units.

Despite the greater risk of accidents whilst skiing under the influence, 84 per cent disagree with the random breathalyser tests being introduced in Austrian, Italian and French resorts.

The social side of a ski holiday also means that Brits are losing out on sleep with many getting just six hours a night whilst the cost of lift passes means that few will take a day's break from the slopes to recharge their batteries.

Vicky Emmott, senior underwriter at Halifax Travel Insurance, commented: "It’s important that people remember to limit their drinking to sensible levels while enjoying their winter sports holidays – especially as the majority of travel insurance policies will exclude accidents which occur whilst the policyholder is under the influence."