Piste or unpatrolled powder
- An open piste is the baseline
- Report off-piste in advance
- Following the avalanche bulletin
No bindings · powder snow · a runaway board
Snowboarding and your insurance
Snow surfing means descending on a board without bindings. On the piste that is often included on winter sports cover; in unpatrolled powder it is a different matter.
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Deze pagina in het Nederlands: Sneeuwsurfen en uw verzekering.
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- We compare the offerings of several insurers
- An adviser checks whether the cover suits your situation
- We arrange the switch, including cancellation
A premium indication, not personal advice. Prefer to talk it through? Call 072 - 509 24 56.
In brief
In snow surfing you stand on a board without bindings, as on a surfboard. On an open piste most insurers see this as a variant of snowboarding and it is included under the winter sports cover. The sport is mainly practised, however, in deep powder off the piste , and there the exclusion for mountaineering away from marked routes applies.
There is another difference from ordinary snowboarding that counts in insurance terms: your board is not attached to your feet. A runaway board shooting down a slope can hit another piste user. Many ski areas therefore require a leash; riding without one can cost you your cover.
What is covered in snow surfing?
Three things determine your position: the terrain, the leash and your liability.
Leash and safety
Without bindings a leash is often compulsory.
- Use a leash
- Read the slope rules
- Wear a helmet
Liability
A board sliding away quickly hits someone else.
- Check your AVP
- The sport not excluded
- Have a report drawn up
What is covered
| Situation | Standard | With extension |
|---|---|---|
| A descent on an open, prepared piste | Yes | Yes |
| A descent in unpatrolled powder off the piste | No | Provided that |
| Injury to a third party caused by a runaway board | Provided that | Yes |
| Riding without a leash where one is compulsory | No | No |
| A descent during an avalanche warning or in a closed area | No | No |
| Taking part in a race or time trial | No | Provided that |
What is actually covered is set out in the policy conditions and the insurance card (verzekeringskaart) that you receive in advance.
Where things go wrong in practice
Two points that determine whether your policy pays after an accident.
The powder off the piste is the critical boundary
Policies generally exclude off-piste mountain sports, air sports, diving below a stated depth and speed contests . Snow surfing on the piste stays outside that, but as soon as you ride in unpatrolled terrain the first exclusion applies — including the search and rescue costs that go with it.
A runaway board makes you liable
If your board hits another piste user, you are liable under Article 6:162 of the Dutch Civil Code; the absence of a compulsory leash weighs heavily there. Riding when an avalanche warning has been issued, or in a closed area, may also come under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code . Report a claim straight away (Article 7:941 of the Dutch Civil Code).
What does your premium depend on?
- On-piste or off-piste — this determines the risk class
- Guidance — a guide or your own group
- Destination — the Alps, Japan or further afield
- Duration of the trip — a single week or a whole season
- Recreational or competitive — competitions are more expensive
- Sums insured — mainly for mountain rescue
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is why comparing pays off.
How we arrange it
- You request a quoteWe take stock of your situation, risk and wishes.
- We compareseveral insurers, on premium as well as conditions.
- You receive a proposalWith an explanation of the differences and the exclusions.
- We arrange the switchIncluding cancellation, so there is no gap in cover.
9.5New policy
9.8Claims handling
Customers rate our service on four aspects: personal service, service delivery, availability and the outcome. The reviews are collected and published by NH1816 and come from customers who have actually taken out a policy with Finass Advies B.V. or reported a claim.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked most often about this.
Does snow surfing count as snowboarding?
On the piste most insurers treat it that way. If the term does not appear in the conditions, report that you use a board without bindings and ask for written confirmation.
Am I insured in powder snow off the piste?
Rarely without an extension. Unpatrolled terrain falls under the exclusion for mountaineering away from marked routes, including the search and rescue costs. Off-piste cover is then essential.
Do I have to use a leash?
On many pistes it is compulsory, because a board without bindings can slide away. Riding without one may be regarded as blameworthy if a third party is injured and can cost you your cover.
What if my board hits someone?
Report it to the piste service immediately and have a report drawn up. Your liability insurance handles the injured party’s claim, provided winter sports and this variant do not appear in the exclusions.
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Similar pages
Are you going snow surfing?
Have it recorded before you leave whether powder off the piste is included; we find the cover that fits.
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About our service
Finass Verzekert is a trading name of Finass Advies B.V. We advise on and arrange non-life insurance on the basis of an objective analysis of several insurers, and receive commission for this from the insurer, which is included in the premium. You pay no separate advice fee. Before you take out cover, we establish your wishes and needs.
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This page was written and checked by an adviser at Finass Verzekert. Last updated on .
The information on this page is general in nature and is not personal advice.