Every SLUSH trip should be a safe one, and good preparation is the biggest part of that. Below is our key travel-safety guidance, drawing on advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It is a general guide and does not replace the FCDO's own country-by-country advice — always check the latest guidance for your destination before you book and again before you travel.
The FCDO publishes up-to-date travel advice for every country, covering safety and security, entry requirements, local laws and customs, health, and natural risks such as severe weather and avalanches. Check the advice for your destination before booking and again before you leave, and sign up for email alerts on the country's page so you are notified of any changes before or during your trip. You can read it at Foreign travel advice — GOV.UK.
Make sure everyone in your group has comprehensive travel insurance that is valid for the whole trip. For a ski or snowboard holiday it must include winter sports cover. Cheaper policies often provide less protection, so check the details carefully — the FCDO cannot pay your medical bills or the cost of getting you home. Your policy should cover:
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you access state-provided healthcare in the EU on the same basis as a local resident. It is free to apply for, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance — it will not cover mountain rescue, repatriation, or private treatment, so you need both. Check whether any vaccinations are recommended for your destination before you travel. Apply for a free UK GHIC on the NHS website.
Passport rules for travel to the EU and the wider Schengen area changed after the UK left the EU. As a general rule your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Stays are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check the entry requirements for your destination on its FCDO country page, and carry a copy of your passport separately from the original.
Mountains are a beautiful but genuinely hazardous environment. Ski and snowboard within your ability, respect all signage and closures, and check the weather and avalanche forecast every day. Off-piste and backcountry terrain is far more dangerous and is often excluded by insurance unless you are with a qualified guide.
The emergency number across the EU is 112. On a SLUSH trip, contact your trip reps as soon as it is safe to do so. For consular help you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate, or call the FCDO in London at any time, 24 hours a day, on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
This page is a general guide only and does not replace official advice. Please base your decisions on the latest FCDO travel advice and other trusted sources for your specific destination.