How to plan a school ski trip
- Last reviewed
- 6 min read
- For schools
The short answer
A school ski trip needs more preparation than most residentials. OEAP guidance says it needs a high level of staff competence, supervision by either an accredited snowsport school or a qualified leader whenever pupils are on snow, helmets for everyone, and insurance that names winter sports. Choose the tour operator carefully, plan evening and down time as carefully as lessons, and check local rules, because Italy has required CE-certified helmets for all skiers since 1 November 2025.
Key takeaways
- OEAP says a residential snowsport visit requires a high level of competence in the staff team, and strongly recommends the visit leader has suitable training such as the Snowsport Course Organiser course.
- Whenever pupils are skiing or snowboarding, they should be supervised by an accredited snowsport school or by a leader who can show competence and is first-aid competent.
- In some countries only leaders with a locally recognised qualification may instruct. Anyone else doing so may be breaking the law.
- Standard travel insurance usually excludes winter sports, and the GHIC does not cover mountain rescue, so check the policy names the activity and covers rescue and repatriation.
- Down time needs a plan. OEAP records fatal accidents that happened when leaders assumed pupils were shopping or eating lunch.
What makes a school ski trip different from other residentials?
OEAP National Guidance 7.1v covers downhill skiing and snowboarding in marked areas. It excludes off-piste skiing, ski touring and snowshoeing, which need separate assessment. It says a residential snowsport visit requires a high level of competence among the staff team, and strongly recommends that the visit leader has done suitable training, such as the Snowsport Course Organiser course, or can clearly show equivalent competence.
Trips abroad also need the full risk assessment, consent, insurance and emergency planning set out in our school trip risk assessment guide. The ski-specific points below sit on top of that.
Who must supervise pupils on snow?
OEAP says that whenever participants are skiing or snowboarding, they should be under the supervision of either an accredited snowsport school or a leader who can show competence, through an appropriate qualification or assessment by a competent technical adviser, and who is competent in first aid. That applies to snowsport outside lessons as well as during them.
- Local law on instruction. In some countries only leaders holding a locally recognised qualification or licence may provide instruction. OEAP warns that anyone else found doing so may be breaking the law and be arrested. Snowsport England and other UK bodies have published guidance on what British citizens may do in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland, and OEAP links to it.
- Staff presence at lessons. When a snowsport school is used, it is good practice for a member of school staff to accompany each group in addition to the instructor, to monitor, support and help in an emergency. Staff may sometimes step back, for example to care for an injured pupil, but must stay contactable and able to reach pupils quickly.
- Free skiing. OEAP says this needs fully informed parental consent and effective supervision by competent leaders who know the area, the conditions and the pupils' ability.
- Staff breaks. Build leaders' down time into the programme and the staff numbers, so it does not reduce supervision.
Set the overall number of adults through your risk assessment, as explained in our guide to staff to pupil ratios on trips abroad.
How do you choose a resort and a tour operator?
OEAP notes that most group ski trips are booked as a package through a tour operator, and calls the choice of operator critical. It says to use its guidance on selecting and assessing providers. If you organise your own travel and accommodation, check whether the Package Travel Regulations apply, and take advice from your employer.
| Factor | What to check |
|---|---|
| Dates | Snow conditions, weather, price and crowds. |
| Resort | Reliability of snow, number and variety of runs, slopes in poor weather, accessibility, evening and bad-weather activities, and how the layout affects supervision. |
| Accommodation | Standard, disabled access, distance from the slopes and suitability for group supervision. |
| Lessons | Assurance from the operator that the snowsport school is accredited, with competent instruction and care of students. |
| Other activities | Evenings and bad-weather options must be planned and managed. A sprained ankle from ice skating could end someone's skiing. |
| Approval | Meet your school's and employer's approval rules before signing any contract. |
If possible, have first-hand knowledge of the resort. OEAP also advises that beginners take pre-course lessons on a dry slope or at a snow dome, and that a fitness programme is put in place, because injured pupils increase the strain on supervision.
What rules apply on helmets and equipment?
OEAP says all participants and leaders should wear properly fitted helmets for snowsports. Many resorts and snowsport schools make helmets mandatory for young people, and in some countries it is a legal requirement. Leaders should check equipment session by session and carry spare equipment in each sub-group.
OEAP also recommends that pupils, parents and staff watch Snowsport England's Ski Highway Code, and that leaders train pupils to carry skis or boards properly. Sunburn is a significant hazard even on cloudy days, so high-factor sun cream and goggles or sunglasses are essential.
What insurance and medical cover does a ski trip need?
- Name the activity. GOV.UK says standard travel insurance usually excludes winter sports. Ask the insurer to confirm in writing that your policy covers skiing or snowboarding, and any other activities on the programme.
- Rescue and repatriation. FCDO advice for Austria and Italy says policies should include mountain rescue, helicopter costs and repatriation. For France it advises checking cover for mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation.
- Off-piste. FCDO says off-piste skiing is very dangerous and, for Austria, can invalidate travel insurance. Keep pupils on marked pistes unless a qualified guide and your risk assessment say otherwise.
- GHIC. It gives access to state healthcare on the same terms as local residents, but does not cover mountain rescue in ski resorts. See our guide to school trip insurance.
- Transfer for treatment. FCDO notes that in the French departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie you may need to be transferred to Switzerland for treatment.
How do you plan evenings and down time?
OEAP says the terrain and weather around ski resorts mean any down time needs a considered safety plan. It records tragedies that happened in down time, including pupils falling into a gorge while leaders assumed they were shopping, sliding into a gorge during lunch, falling from a hotel balcony, and developing hypothermia after drinking alcohol. Agree boundaries, meeting points and check-in times for every free period, and have an alcohol policy that pupils and parents have signed up to. Our guide to alcohol policy for student trips is a starting point.
How Roamly can help
Roamly arranges group flights and ground transfers for schools, including routing and coach logistics. We can also supply the itinerary and transport details your risk assessment needs. Ski school accreditation, leader qualifications and insurance remain the school's checks. See our group flights and logistics services, or contact us.
Sources
- OEAP National Guidance 7.1v: Snowsport Visits
- FCDO: Italy travel advice, safety and security
- FCDO: Austria travel advice, safety and security
- FCDO: France travel advice, safety and security
- GOV.UK: Foreign travel insurance
- OEAP National Guidance 7.1r: Overseas Visits
General guidance only, checked against the sources above on 30 October 2026. Entry rules, airline policies and official advice change, so confirm the current position with the linked source before you travel.