Those heading off on skiing holidays cannot make claim on their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should they be involved in an accident, they have been warned.

Making this known to skiers, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s technical and corporate affairs executive, Graeme Trudgill said that skiers would instead be treated for any injuries at the private medical centres within ski slopes.

This would result in the skiers being issued private bills, necessitating the use of a travel insurance policy to cover this cost.

Ski slopes, the official who quoted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said, were among the five top locations for injury while on holiday and there’s a very high chance for one to get hurt.

Even very experienced skiers sometimes get involved in incidents that could result in injuries, he added.

His warning comes as a survey revealed that many skiers fail to buy travel insurance in order to save cost on winter sports holiday.

But Mr Trudgill urged them to shop around for the best deals before travelling.