 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
I know there have been lots of discussions about travel insurance for ski trips over the years on this board, and they've been helpful at informing me about a few things in the past when I've gone on 5 week trips. But I was hoping to pick peoples' brains about any recommendations they would have for my particular situation this upcoming winter.
- I'll be going for 12 weeks to Canada
- There will be lots of off piste stuff both with and without a guide - but I'm assuming this doesn't matter for Canada as it will all be within resort boundaries and so doesn't have the same distinction between on/off piste as in Europe
- I will be going on at least 2 cat skiing days in the backcountry
- Maybe a couple of guided touring days in the backcountry
- I *might* (probably won't) go on one heliskiing day
- No park riding
Any help is appreciated. I've already looked around at a few places but they seem either very expensive or not covering my requirements as above, so wondering if anyone else has any insight/options I might have overlooked.
Many thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Have you tried snow card?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I use BMC Insurance which gives coverage of off-piste activities, and also decent options for longer trips. However, I think your main problem is that Canada is normally considered the same geographical areas as the USA, and insurance premiums are generally high for travel to the USA, I assume because of medical costs.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Mountain Surfer, Amex platinum might cover everything you need- unusual for a bundled policy, it covers trips up to 90 days duration. Not sure about whether heli and cat are still there, they used to be.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It depends what you're insuring for, really.
The cat/ heli company I used to work with would sell you "insurance" on a daily basis, for about $75CDN. It depends a bit what risks you're concerned about. Many operators will have links to insurance companies on their sites.
BC is a bit like the UK in respect of general back country rescue (that is, not performed specifically by your cat/ heli operator or a resort):
https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-news/who-pays-for-search-and-rescue-costs-bc-6743525
The ER doesn't care if you were injured walking around the village, at the resort, or across the way in the cat terrain.
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@Mountain Surfer, carte neige or e.g. Vieux Campeur (€30 annual)?
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BMC (discount if you get a membership) and MPI both worth a look.
North America drives the price up, because of USA - don't know if anyone does a Canada but not USA poliicy.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thanks a lot for suggestions so far!
I looked at Snowcard. Interestingly they quoted £850 for just a three month single trip, but £350 for an annual multi-trip... Will have to look into that more closely
I do have Amex Gold and Platinum, didn't know they may provide coverage so will definitely enquire with them.
Thanks for other suggestions - will need to spend a lot of time researching BMC, MPI, others as well.
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If using Amex check that off piste includes “without a guide or instructor”.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Where’s @boarder2020 when we need him? 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Join an alpine club, get their anuual insurance. I am with CAF (Club alpin Francais). €87 a year about another €80 if I want worldwide/high altitude (over 5000m) coverage.
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You know it makes sense.
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Good, I see you now started your own thread
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| abc wrote: |
| Where’s @boarder2020 when we need him? |
I haven't been to Canada since COVID so not really up to date on best insurance. To be honest I mainly just used true traveller as I had a friend get in a pretty nasty accident in Canada and he was with true traveller and I was very impressed with how they handled it. They probably weren't the cheapest, but was nice to have a bit of confidence in them.
Just plugged in 3 months including Canada/USA and with unlimited skiing into their website and the lowest quote is £338. Includes all off-piste, backcountry, cat etc. Of course lowest means bare bones cover with higher excess but that's usually what I go for. £338 doesn't seem unreasonable, if you do end up in hospital in Canada it's a small fortune.
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FAQ
Have been doing all the fun research and calls to get some season insurance for France where the hubby and I will be heading in a few weeks woop woop
