What should you do if someone falls ill or is injured whilst staying at Sälen?

Getting injured on the ski slopes in Sälen is rare, but it’s the scenario that causes the most concern ahead of a week in the mountains with children – and the only risk of the trip that’s worth preparing for in advance. Not because it’s likely to happen, but because having a clear plan makes a stressful situation considerably easier to deal with. Five minutes before setting off can save you half an hour of panic on the slopes.

This article describes the sequence of events: what happens when the ski patrol is called out, what to do if someone falls ill whilst staying here, what the insurance usually covers, and how an injury might affect the rest of your stay. We do not provide medical advice – in the event of an emergency, always call 112, and for advice on symptoms, call 1177. We have described where healthcare is available and how it works for visitors separately in our guide to the health centre and healthcare services in Sälen. Do you live in a house? close to the slope It also makes things a lot easier if someone needs to go home and rest in the middle of the day.

Short answer: this is how it works, in that order

In the event of an accident on the slopes: secure the area, alert the ski patrol, and stay with the injured person. In the event of immediate danger: call 112 straight away. In the event of illness or a minor injury: call 1177 for an assessment, and visit a health centre if necessary. Please let us know if the incident affects your stay – we can often provide practical assistance. Contact your insurance company on the same day that something happens, not a week later.

Make sure you have three things saved on your mobile before you set off: the number for your insurance company’s emergency helpline, 1177, and the contact details in your booking confirmation.

An accident on the slopes: the ski patrol and what happens next

The resorts in Sälen have a piste patrol on duty during opening hours, and they are trained specifically for this. Contact them first – via the nearest lift attendant, via the resort’s app, or via the number printed on your lift pass and on signs on the slopes. State the name of the run and the nearest piste marker; this information will enable the rescue team to find you quickly.

In the meantime: mark the spot by crossing a pair of skis in the snow above the injured person so that other skiers are warned; do not move the person who has fallen if there is any suspicion of back or neck injury; and keep the person warm – hypothermia sets in quickly when lying on the snow. The ski patrol will carry out an initial assessment and, if necessary, transport the person down the slope for further medical attention. If the situation is serious, an emergency call will be made to 112 at the same time.

Illness at the holiday cottage: healthcare, 1177 and when to call 112

Common winter stomach bugs, fever and ear infections are considerably more common on a week’s holiday in the mountains than skiing injuries. Call 1177 for advice – they can assess whether self-care is sufficient, whether you should visit a health centre, or whether it is a medical emergency. In the event of breathing difficulties, chest pain, heavy bleeding, altered consciousness or suspected serious injury, call 112 without hesitation.

In practical terms, this is where the value of living in a house really comes into its own: your own kitchen, your own bedrooms and the ability to isolate someone who is ill from the rest of the group. When someone in a large group comes down with a stomach bug, washing your hands, using hand sanitiser and having separate towels are what make the difference between one person falling ill or twelve.

Children who fall ill – what is reasonable to do in such situations

When travelling with children, the threshold for calling 1177 is lower, and quite rightly so. Bring along the items you’d normally have at home, such as a clinical thermometer and over-the-counter medicines, as the range of products available at pharmacies in the mountains is limited and opening hours are shorter than in the city. If your child has a chronic condition or takes prescription medication: take more than you think you’ll need, and keep the prescription details to hand.

A day spent feeling unwell in a mountain cabin doesn’t have to ruin the week for the rest of the group. Split up, let one adult stay at home and take turns throughout the day – that’s one of the reasons why holiday cottages work better than hotels for families with children.

Insurance: what travel insurance and home insurance usually cover

Within Sweden, emergency medical care is covered by the standard healthcare system, and you pay the same patient charge as you would at home. The insurance provides additional cover: repatriation if someone is unable to travel home unaided, compensation for a disrupted journey, costs incurred if a travelling companion has to stay behind, and compensation for damaged equipment.

Check three things before you set off: that the travel cover under your home insurance policy is valid, whether there are any exclusions relating to certain types of skiing, and what the emergency call centre’s number is. Call your insurance company as soon as anything happens – many claims require you to contact the company before any costs are incurred. We’ve summarised the insurance issues for those renting accommodation in insurance when you rent a holiday cottage.

If anyone has to go home early

Should you need to cut short your stay, there are two separate procedures, and it is important to keep them distinct. The first concerns the booking: the terms and conditions of the booking and your booking confirmation set out what applies in the event of a curtailed stay. The other is the insurance: this is where compensation for a curtailed trip is normally handled, subject to proof of cancellation.

Please get in touch with us as soon as you know. We are rarely able to change the terms and conditions, but we can often offer practical help – with transport, arranging for the rest of your group to stay on, or providing the documentation the insurance company needs. It’s always better for us to know than not to know.

Preparations that make a difference before you set off

A short list covering most things:

• Everyone should wear a helmet at all times – it’s the single most effective way to reduce risk.
• Save 1177, 112 and the insurance company’s emergency number in your phone.
• Please bring any over-the-counter medicines, a clinical thermometer and any other medicines you take from home.
• Check that the travel cover included in your home insurance policy is valid for everyone in your party.
• Agree on a meeting point on the slopes and make sure the children know what to do if they lose sight of you.
• Never ski alone at the end of the day, and do not ski off-piste without the necessary knowledge and equipment.

Summary – a straightforward plan for what you’re hoping to avoid

If anyone is injured on the ski slope at Sälen, the procedure is simple: secure the area, alert the ski patrol, and call 112 in the event of an emergency. If someone falls ill at the chalet, call 1177 for an assessment. Contact your insurance company on the same day, and let us know if your stay is affected. Most things get sorted out quicker than you might think in an area that welcomes hundreds of thousands of skiers every season and has procedures in place for exactly this sort of situation. Spend five minutes getting organised before you set off, and you won’t have to give it a second thought during the week.