Winter sports enthusiasts are being urged to get fit and check their travel insurance before hurling themselves down the slopes this year.

The warning comes as research from Halifax shows more than a third of Britain’s 1.2 million annual winter sports holidaymakers are woefully out of shape.

And their lack of conditioning sees 10% suffer an injury on the pistes, while a further 19% say they have been lucky to escape serious damage after falling over.

Paul Birkhead, senior manager of pricing and underwriting for Halifax Travel Insurance, said: "We process a significant number of claims each year from skiers and boarders that have been forced to cut their winter holiday short as a result of an injury.

"Of course in the event of an accident anyone with Halifax’s Winter Sports cover can make a claim for up to £200 per week (for a maximum of two weeks) on any un-used ski-pass.

"But clearly prevention is better than the cure, and a few months of pre-holiday training can help you to cope with the strain of winter sports, as well as to build up your stamina."

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