Posted on Wednesday, 22 October 2014

While many of our customers may be lamenting summer's passing, there is one group among our annual travel insurance client base that will be happy about the coming colder months: winter sports lovers.

But most European ski resorts have yet to receive their first snowfall - which means a waiting game for many skiers and snowboarders.

That is, unless you live near the volcanic Mount Etna on the Italian island of Sicily. Here skiers have been taking advantage of the powdery grey ash that covers the mountain's sides - and if you watch the Italians enjoying the alien-looking piste of Etna, you might ask: who needs snow?

But this unique surface may lose its appeal after the first fall; cold lava ash does not simply evaporate like snow!

Ski instructor Marco Tomasello took the footage of him and several daredevil friends careering down the mountain. Tomasello works as a mountain guide on the 3,350m high Mount Etna in the summer months - but it seems he could not wait until the winter season begins to don his salopettes and skis once more.

The video, which has received more than 50,000 hits on video site Vimeo, demonstrates that volcano ash is just as good as snow for reaching high speeds.

However, for those among our customers who prefer good old-fashioned snow for their winter sports kicks, the real ski season is not far away.

Are You Covered for Your Winter Sports Activities?

You can add affordable Winter Sports Cover to our standard travel insurance policies quickly and easily, giving you up 40 days of cover for an annual policy. It also includes cover against damage of your own ski equipment for up to £750, and up to £500 for hired equipment.

Also included:

* £300 Piste Closure cover

* £300 cover disruption caused by avalanche

But be aware, this policy does not cover you for skiing on volcano ash!

Watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/108057019

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