Skiers affected by drunks on the slopes

New research from Confused.com has revealed the true extent of skiers' drinking habits on the slopes and the risks they face by incorrectly believing they are covered for accidents, when drinking.

Twenty four per cent of skiers admitted to drinking more than four units before skiing down the side of a mountain. This has led to one in four being affected by drunken skiers.  These people either admitted to falling over in the resort after participating in apres ski, falling on the slopes or being hit by a skier who had been drinking.

Alarmingly, an incredible 41% of the over 30's believe to be covered for an accident, regardless of the fact it happened due to drinking alcohol.

The research also reveals its two core groups most likely to slurp and ski; men and those aged between 31-35. Thirty five per cent of males drink heavily and regularly on ski holidays, whereas over one in four 31 - 35 year olds admitted to the same thing.

Steve Williams, head of travel insurance at Confused.com said: ‘The amount of people in our research who admit to drinking on the slopes is cause for concern. All travel insurance contracts include an exclusion regarding claims made as a result of alcohol consumption. Skiers must be made aware of the risk they take if drinking when on holiday; insurance providers are fully within their rights to decline claims involving alcohol, as it is reasonable to assume adequate care was not taken.'

Behaviours on the slopes are also cause for concern. One in ten people have noticed an increase in aggression between slope users and intoxicated people using the slopes. In addition to these behaviours, the amount of people on the pistes is increasing. Twenty per cent have noticed more skiers on the slopes, suggesting the long empty runs have been replaced with skiers (potentially) behaving badly.