As the Northern Hemisphere snow season comes to an end, one popular wintersports hotspot has emerged as the number-one destination for ski travel claims among Australian travellers, outpacing both European and North American incidents.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) data found that more than half (55%) of all ski- and snowboard-related claims paid out in the 2025-26 peak winter season were associated with travel to Japan.
This flurry of ski travel claims saw Japan overtake traditional wintersports heavyweights, such as the US and Canada and the combined European circuit, including Austria, Italy and Sweden.
It also reaffirms Japan’s ongoing post-pandemic popularity among Aussies. Ski travel claims are up 125 per cent from 2024, a significant two-year surge that highlights how rapidly Japan has dominated the market.
In 2025-26, ski travel claims from Japan have increased by a third (33%) compared to the same period last year.
A single $16,000-plus claim resulted from a broken arm while snowboarding, requiring immediate medical attention and a costly, last-minute overhaul of their itinerary.
SCTI also noted that it’s not just broken bones on the slopes stopping travellers in their tracks, but the extreme weather that makes the nation’s powder so famous.
Heavy snowfall in Sapporo led to widespread train closures, resulting in a spike of claims for missed flights and transport re-bookings.
SCTI Chief Customer Officer Jess Strange said: “Australia’s love affair with Japan’s snow conditions is stronger than ever, but our data shows that the very conditions that draw skiers to Japan – the heavy, consistent snow – are also the primary cause of travel disruptions.”
“We’ve seen everything from broken limbs requiring stints in hospital to entire itineraries being upended by train cancellations.
“With Japan now significantly outranking Europe and North America in our claims data, it’s a timely reminder that travel insurance isn’t just for the high-speed accidents; it’s for the logistical challenges that extreme winter weather can cause.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: The rise in Japan ski travel claims reinforces the importance of client education around winter travel risks, insurance coverage and contingency planning for weather-related disruptions, ensuring clients are equipped with suitable policies before departure.
