Mother Nature is again acting as the ski industry’s marketing partner with early season snowfalls turning skiers’ and snowboarders’ thoughts towards winter sports. It’s also a time to think about safety, long a mantra for the ski industry and something that has resulted in new laws affecting skiers. One is a New Jersey law that requires children and teenagers under 17 to wear helmets. California has introduced, but not yet passed, a similar measure.

If you’re selling ski trips, Travel Insured has some reminders for you and your clients. Besides knowing helmet safety laws (and common sense dictates that everyone should wear a helmet when skiing), you should remind your clients that skiing off trail is at your own risk. Most travel insurance plans do not include coverage if you are injured or worse during extreme skiing. Remember that many ski area Search and Rescue (SAR) organizations require off-trail skiers to reimburse costs when they must be rescued due to extreme skiing, an uninsured service that can cost in the thousands of dollars. Your clients should always ski with a buddy and have a designated meeting spot.

And, you may want to consider sports coverage, because basic insurance may not cover your clients if they’re in a ski race or other winter sports speed event. Sports coverage will also reimburse your clients if they have to rent skis because an airline lost their own. Finally, travel insurance will reimburse your clients if they miss ski days because of weather delays.