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The snow is here and we Britons just can't resist heading off to the mountains to escape the post Christmas winter blues! You may have booked the hotel, hired your skis and packed your Moon Boots but have you got your travel insurance sorted?

Thousands of winter sports thrill seekers are dusting off their kit in preparation for an adrenalin-fuelled holiday of hurtling down the mountains as the lure of these excellent snow conditions beckon our winter sports enthusiasts to the slopes. Although the task of checking to see if you have adequate winter sports insurance is probably the last thing on your mind, it is vital that you do this before setting off. Accidents, injuries and theft are all common perils of a winter sports holiday and those who hit the slopes without travel insurance risk facing hefty bills in the event of an emergency. A tumble on the slopes and a mountain rescue in Europe could cost you a whopping £5,000 or more whilst a broken leg in the U.S can cost £25,000. Skiing and winter sports holidays don't come cheap but if you don't have the right Travel insurance policy, your little winter getaway could easily turn into an expensive nightmare. Don't take the risk!

A standard travel insurance policy can include cover for winter sports but it is important to check what your policy covers because more often than not policyholders find out that they are actually underinsured. In order to be sure that you are covered for everything you plan to do on the holiday, either call your insurer or read through your policy document thoroughly! If you are looking to buy a winter sports travel insurance policy, assess what kind of cover you will need, taking into consideration things like piste closure, ski equipment and medical costs including rescue and repatriation, before buying just any old policy. Winter sports holidays are pricey enough as it is so shop around using insurance comparison sites to find competitively priced policies which best meet your winter sports insurance needs.

Things you should know before hitting the slopes:

• Annual travel insurance: Be aware that not all annual policies include winter sports cover and those that do often only provide very limited insurance.

• Activities: Winter sports policies tend to include skiing and snow boarding as standard cover but they may have restrictions on the more extreme forms of skiing and mountain activities such as Heli-skiing, glacier skiing, Para-skiing, off-piste skiing, tobogganing, skidoos, ski racing, bobsleighs and mountain climbing. Most insurers will also exclude competitive skiing racing.

• Cancellation costs: Skiing holidays can be very expensive so make sure that the standard cancellation cover, usually around £3,000, will covers the cost of your holiday should you have to cancel.

• Piste closure: Some insurers only pay out if all the pistes are closed whereas other insurers will include the cost of transport to another resort if the runs at your resort are closed. Always check what the policy definition is regarding piste closure and how many pistes have to be shut before you can claim benefits.

• Baggage & equipment: Remember that your skiing kit often increases the value of your luggage so check the cover limits your insurer offers. If you have selected the personal possessions option, your home insurer may cover some of your belongings as well.

• Ski pack: If you are unable to ski due to illness or injury, any lessons, your ski equipment and ski pass should be covered on your policy. Some insurers will include the loss of your ski pass as well.

• Unattended skis: Each year it is estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 skis are declared stolen in France. At least 10% of these claims are fraudulent and as a result, very few insurers are prepared to offer insurance for unattended skis. This applies particularly to skis left outside restaurants, which are considered to be prime targets for thieves. Insurers insist that you have taken reasonable care of your skis.

• Cover limits: Your policy should include a minimum of £2 million for medical expenses and £1 million for personal liability. Check the limits for cancellation and baggage cover are sufficient. If you are travelling to Europe remember your European Health Insurance Card, this entitles you to emergency treatment on the same terms as a national in all EU countries.

General tips when looking at travel insurance:

Always check for potential policy exclusions. These tend to vary from policy to policy so always remember to read the small print; failure to do so could result in you having inadequate insurance for all or part of your trip. Most policies will not cover you for pre-existing medical conditions or any claim as result of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you intend to go on more than one holiday this year, look into buying annual travel insurance as this is likely to work out more cost effective but make sure you check what kind of winter sports cover you are getting before you sign any documents. The cost of winter sports travel insurance varies widely so make sure you shop around using insurance comparison sites online. By using the internet you can compare an unlimited amount of insurers, which will quickly help you find the most competitively priced policies which best meet your insurance needs.