Health and safety advice and recommended warm-up exercises are being highlighted in a Get Fit for Ski campaign being run by Abta.
The association has teamed up with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Ski Club Great Britain to develop an eight-point winter sports checklist with advice and tips for skiers.
The twin initiatives, aimed at the more than one million winter sports holidaymakers expected this season, come as Abta research found that that only 41% of people check their insurance covers activities such as skiing, paragliding or water sports before participating in them.
This goes down to just 34% of 15-24 year olds and 37% of men, supporting beliefs that these groups are more willing to take risks, according to Abta.
The figures suggest that holidaymakers are putting themselves at risk of expensive medical costs. For example, it could cost up to £40,000 to be treated for a fractured leg in the US, or £8,000 to treat a knee injury in Austria.
Abta head of destinations and sustainability Nikki White said: “A little preparation can help ensure your skiing holiday goes without a hitch.
“It’s not unusual to be out on the slopes for 4-6 hours at a time, yet many people go straight into a ski or snowboarding holiday without doing any training or preparation first. Preparing before you go can help prevent injury and ensure you don’t miss out on the fun.
“Additionally, having the right equipment, knowing your limits when it comes to après ski and buying appropriate insurance, will all help your holiday go smoothly.”
FCO spokeswoman Lynda St Cooke said: “We strongly advise anyone hitting the slopes this winter to take out comprehensive travel insurance and make sure you have an up to date EHIC card.
“Don’t forget to check the small print – most insurance policies will not cover you if you’re under the influence of alcohol or venture off-piste. If you’re unlucky enough to have an accident and you’re not covered, you could find yourself thousands of pounds out of pocket.”
Ski Club GB PR manager Vicky Norman added: “Skiing is a holiday but also a sport so it’s always a good idea to prepare on the run up to the season in preparation – we advise you start at least eight weeks prior to your holiday.
“Being fit will not only improve endurance on the slopes but helps to prevent injury. Strong muscles help to protect joints and also enhance your performance so the fitter you are, the more you can achieve on the slopes and the more you’ll enjoy yourself.”