If you're off to the slopes this winter, you're probably expecting a week or two of exhilarating fun with the odd hot cocoa by the fire and a few nights out with friends or family. You're probably not counting on spending an afternoon getting your arm or leg plastered in a hospital or clinic emergency room - but it's certainly something you should plan for.

Unfortunately, one in every four Brits hit the slopes with no travel insurance, and even more of them - a full 27% - believe that their basic travel policy will pay out if they have a skiing injury. This could prove disastrous for the 25% of us who fly down the slopes with no travel cover at all - because the statistics say that one in every seven Brits does end up requiring medical care while on a skiing holiday.

Making sure that you have the right travel cover if you engage in skiing and other more extreme winter sports is vital. Here are a few pointers to help ensure that you're adequately covered for your next ski holiday.

Free Travel Insurance Medical Cover!

That's right, free. As a citizen resident of the UK, you're entitled to carry a European Health Insurance Card that will entitle you to free or subsidised medical costs as long as you're in any European Economic Area country. Keep in mind that it will only cover medical costs, and it may not cover the full cost of all treatments, but it is a vital part of your travel cover if you're overseas.

How to Get Your EHIC

Apply online at ehic.org.uk, at your local Post Office or over the telephone (0845 606 2030).

Why You Need More than EHIC

An accident on the ski slopes or frozen lakes tend to carry more than just medical expenses. Some of the unexpected expenses that won't be covered by EHIC include upgrading your seat to allow room for your cast - or worse, air ambulance home for further care. Repatriation can cost anywhere from £5,000-35,000 depending on where you are, and EHIC won't pay for that. Private medical travel insurance covers many extras that you'll find either necessary or extremely handy.

Standard Travel Cover Is Not Enough!

If you have standard travel insurance, be sure to check the fine print. You may think that you're covered by a policy that comes with your credit card, bank account or your standard annual insurance, but few of them include winter or extreme sports cover. Even if the fine print doesn't specifically rule out winter sports claims, your cover level may not be sufficient.

Minimum commonly recommended coverage if you're planning on hitting the ski slopes or winter snowboarding or tubing includes:

• Medical Cover: £2,000,000
• Personal Liability: £1,000,000
• Cancellation: £3,000
• Baggage: £1,500
• Cash: £250

Even then, be sure to check the fine print or talk with your insurer if you're planning on including activities like para-skiing, bob sleighing or ski-jumping, and find out if your ski equipment will be covered for damage and loss.

Other Considerations for Winter Sports Cover:

• Will you be covered for personal injury and liability if you participate in extreme sports? Many policies exclude serious injury or harm to others under those conditions.
• Will you be covered for no-snow or piste closure conditions? While you may have trip cancellation cover, it may not specifically cover no-snow or piste closure.
• Make sure you take your insurance documents with you and contact your insurer immediately if you are injured in an accident. Both of those steps will make getting appropriate medical treatment far easier.