PROMOTION Stay safe on the slopes As a physically demanding and fast-paced sport, sking accidents can cause life-changing or fatal injuries. Mark Lee from law firm Penningtons Manches offers safety advice Ithe 300millionpeoplewho covered. For example, off-piste skiing PREVENTION. Follow the code enjoy winter sports, many skidooing and heliskiing may all be of conduct will be involved inor witness excluded. Ifin doubk, call your insuers The FIS(Lnternational Ski Federation) -they will usually agree to cover speciie has developed rules for the conduct of Like most risky ventures, the three Ps activities provided you pay a peemi skiers and snowboarders. Ifyou have an ospeotection preparation and prevention Also beware of the booey mountain accident in Europe, the issae ofliability can helpskiers to manage the potential lunch. The Insurance Ombadsman will be determined with reference to outcomes of an accldent on the slopes ually sides with the insurerifcover is these rules. The key provision is that declinedbecause an insuredwas heavily the upslope skier should be in control intoxicated at the time of the accidens. and avoid a collision with askierwhois a skiaccident. Below is a quick guide to the basics PROTECTION. Do you have the right insurance cover? PREPARATION.Be fit and use Alwaystakeout travelinsurance with the right equipment a reputable provider. The medical bills To reduce the chances of ski injury, for breaking a leg can easily beeak the you should be fitenough to cope withthe Mark Lee heads the Pennington bank, especially if you are involved in physicalrigours oskiing You need good Manches srasel lasy cea and is fised an accident in North America technical skills, stamina and coetol so as a Teading inalieidnal' in travet law Read the small print carefully kepyourselfout of trouble on the slopes. by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 Never assume that your existing ve Use or hire suitable equipment (skis Based in the JGuildfond ofice, he insurance policy will cover you as snowboard, booes es) suited to your level represents individiuals in coepeesation skiing and snowboardinR are of ality and dont borrow equipment claims arising from acciulents abroad considered to be"hazardousactivities" from friends-statistics suggest this esedbyderesioneofobrskitrs, and may be exckuded from standard can increase the risk of a ski accident aty equipment, skidoo colfsions and by up to 800%. Ahways wear a helmet as it can reduce the risk of sustaining a head injury by as much as 56%. negdgent ski school instruction, both imag Even if you take out a winter sports policy, don't assume all activities are clamant and defendant copacity. PENNINGTONS MANCHES Contact Mark Lee at Penningtons Manches: 01483 411402 or mark.lec@penningtons.co.uk