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The Foreign Office has issued a warning to Brits who are planning on heading to a popular European winter holiday spot in the coming weeks, as they could be at risk of hospitalisation or even death

British holidaymakers planning their dream winter getaway in the coming weeks face potential hospitalisation or even death, according to Foreign Office warnings. More than 20 million people flock to the European destination each year, with over one million of those being UK travellers.

Renowned for its tranquil landscapes and stunning mountain views, Switzerland remains a favoured destination for those keen on winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and hiking. However, the Foreign Office has warned that some Brits may be engaging in ‘risky’ activities that might not be covered by their insurance policies.

Being inadequately prepared could result in serious consequences for both your well-being and your finances, particularly if you haven’t been careful about selecting the right insurance cover for your trip. In certain circumstances, you might find yourself liable for more than £3,000 if you lack proper travel insurance protection, and that’s excluding medical expenses and hospital bills.

Foreign Office guidance warns: “Adventure sports can be risky. British nationals in the Swiss Alps have been involved in accidents and have been hospitalised or died. Check the company you are using is well-established and that your travel insurance covers any specific activity.

“For sports activities like skiing, potholing and mountaineering, and for sports classed as particularly dangerous (for example, off-piste skiing, mountain biking, climbing, paragliding or BASE jumping), you could get into difficulty and need emergency rescue. Adventure sports can be risky. British nationals in the Swiss Alps have been involved in accidents and have been hospitalised or died.

“Check the company you are using is well-established and that your travel insurance covers any specific activity. For sports activities like skiing, potholing and mountaineering, and for sports classed as particularly dangerous (for example, off-piste skiing, mountain biking, climbing, paragliding or BASE jumping), you could get into difficulty and need emergency rescue.”

Making sure you’ve got the right cover for your winter holiday

If you’re planning a trip to a ski resort this winter, it’s crucial to make sure any activities you intend to participate in are covered by your travel insurance. When sorting out your policy, ensure you’re fully clued up on any exclusions included in the policy and when you won’t be protected.

It’s also vital to consider medical costs, and when your insurance policy will foot the bill for you, especially if you plan on using rental gear, as this likely won’t be covered. Moreover, those hitting the slopes off-piste without a guide may not typically be covered by their insurance.

According to SOS 144, a helicopter rescue in the Swiss Alps can cost as much as 3,500 CHF (£3,293).

It’s that time of year when many people think about booking a European winter getaway to hit the snowy slopes on their skis or boards, and there’s one picturesque location that comes with a discounted price tag

Taking to the snow-covered slopes for skiing or snowboarding is a notoriously expensive getaway for anyone, particularly when you factor in equipment hire, lessons, accommodation and flights. However, one savvy savings expert has revealed the European skiing hotspot that costs just £200 per person – and that’s with everything included!

Travel expert, Chelsea, who has accumulated more than 180K followers on TikTok thanks to her holiday-saving hacks, appeared on This Morning to reveal a nifty hack that helps save hundreds of pounds when booking a desirable skiing holiday. Speaking to Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Chelsea explained she had just booked a three-night ski getaway to Zakopane in Poland for a mere £200.

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During the ski season, Zakopane offers miles of powdery white snow within the Tatras Mountains for a truly magnificent backdrop. The town has often been described as a “hidden gem” with inviting thermal pools after a day on the slopes and a thriving food scene.

With a budget of £200 for the “whole thing”, Chelsea said this would include a three-night trip, with flights, transfers, lessons and ski hire. Sharing further details, she said travellers can fly into Kraków and “take a two-hour bus for £7.50” to get to the resort.

Chelsea added that this particular ski resort is “fantastic for beginners and perfect for learning”, as the ski lessons and ski hire cost around £30 each per day. At various ski resorts across Europe, some lessons can cost anything from £50 to £110 a day.

Revealing how she secured this nifty deal, Chelsea explained that there’s a relatively new website called Heidi, which allows travellers to search for their desired skiing package holiday with any dates or locations they prefer. She added that users can also select certain filters, such as beginners, advanced, families, big ski area, apres-ski or opt for a short transfer.

After making the preferred selections, a list of bargain holiday packages will appear, allowing travellers to book, with many offering an incredible saving. This discounted cost is in stark contrast to other European ski resorts, where visitors can spend anywhere from £2,000 to £5,000 per person for a week.

Following her appearance on This Morning, Chelsea shared the clip on her TikTok account (@cheapholidayexpert) and divulged that she had shared details of the bargain ski trip after a caller had rang into the show. Chelsea wrote in the video caption: “Here, Jayne had asked where I could recommend for a cheap solo ski trip for under £500.”

She then went on to outline further details to help other holidaymakers cut costs this winter. Chelsea revealed: “Have a look on @Heidi Holidays, they’re a new ski website that lets you search ‘anywhere’ which is great when you’re on a budget, as then you can just go where the price is right!

“They do let you search for solo travellers too, but I think if you’re on your own, the best deals can come from booking it yourself, as then you can piece together exactly what you need without paying any double occupancy fees.

“I’ve done a DIY cheap ski trip before – I went to Borovets in Bulgaria last year and managed to get my flights, hotel, car hire, petrol, ski hire, lift pass, ski lessons, food and drink for £410 in total for a 3-night trip. I’ve got a full breakdown on cheapholidayexpert.com – just search for ‘Borovets’ on there and it will come up!”

Chelsea continued: “And yeah, I may have revealed that I’m attempting cheap ski again as I want to see if I can do it for even cheaper this year by heading to Zakopane in Poland!“Both Zakopane and Borovets (Bankso too!) are great for beginner skiers who don’t want to spend a fortune, but want to get a few lessons under their belt to get them on their ski journey!”