'Ski rage' plagues one in five piste off Brits

An estimated one in five Britons has experienced 'ski rage', with many skiers left counting the cost of injuries and accidents on the piste, a new report reveals.

Research for Lloyds TSB Insurance found that one in ten Brits heading off on skiing breaks this winter are not covered by winter sports insurance.

Around a million people from the UK will be heading off this winter to ski and snowboard and the study found that many experience 'ski rage' as a result of the lack of 'piste etiquette' shown by fellow skiers.

A fifth of those quizzed by the insurer said they had had an accident while skiing, with awkward landings, collisions with other skiers, falling of a ski lift and hitting a building or a tree, named as some of the causes.

Respondents claimed that the most common cause of ski rage was being cut up by another skier (60 per cent), followed by queue jumping (40 per cent), having someone bump into them (28 per cent) and people sitting on the slopes or blocking their path (20 per cent).

Of those polled, 29 per cent said ski rage destroyed their concentration and 21 per cent admitted their anger affected their mood for an entire day. Of greater concern was that one in five skiers admitted they had exchanged obscenities and the three per cent had resorted to physical violence.

Phil Loney, managing director, Lloyds TSB Insurance, said: "A winter sports holiday may mean ice cold temperatures, but in many cases, tempers are anything but cool. The stress of the slopes, with 'ski-schoolers' practicing snow ploughs and the pros hurtling down the black runs is bound to test even the most mild-mannered skier."

Lloyds TSB Insurance reports that the most common claims submitted by customers are for injuries, medical expenses and lost property. The company advises people to try and control their 'ski rage' and to ensure that the adequately covered for injuries or lost property before setting off for the slopes.