Ambitious skiers warned of medical costs

With poor snow conditions in many European resorts, skiers are jetting off to distant, high-altitude destinations in search of powder, according to American Express Travel Insurance.

However the company warned winter sports enthusiasts that some far-flung skiing hotspots charge high amounts for medical care.

The USA, Canada, Chile, Japan and Russia are expected to be among the top locations in the 2007-08 skiing season but medical costs at these resorts are some of the highest in the world, according to American Express.

Broken limbs are among the top five injuries for skiers and snowboarders and in the USA it can reportedly cost up to £25,000 to have a broken leg treated.

American Express emphasised the importance of having travel insurance and clarifying exactly what is covered by certain policies.

Marketing manager Joanne Field said: "We are seeing more and more skiers and snowboarders travelling further afield to higher resorts to ensure good snow conditions.

"With more than a million Britons skiing each year and with one in ten suffering an injury on the slopes, good quality insurance will be vital for destinations like the USA and Japan where a hospital room can cost over $10,000 (£4,830) per day."