Japan’s historic snowfall over the past two weeks has claimed at least 30 lives including ski fatalities involving two Australians, prompting a warning over getting proper insurance coverage and being aware of safety issues ahead of travelling.
While heavy snow and ski tourism traditionally draw travellers to Japan each winter, the back-to-back deaths underline the heightened risks in extreme conditions and are expected to prompt renewed focus for agents to advise Australian travellers on insurance coverage and safety guidance ahead of leaving for Japan’s winter destinations.
More than 120,000 Australian visitors flocked to the country in December alone, coinciding with school holidays, festive breaks and the start of the ski season.
The deaths of the two Australians on the ski slopes in Japan, following the surge in ski season fatalities, are a tragic reminder that winter sports carry inherent risks, even in destinations known for their safety and high-quality infrastructure.
“Japan is an extremely popular ski destination for Australians but skiing and snowboarding are high-risk activities. Even experienced skiers can be caught out by weather conditions, terrain or a simple lapse in judgement,” Comparetravelinsurance.com.au director Natalie Ball said.
With high levels of snowfall and record numbers of Aussies flocking to Japan’s ski fields this year, travellers should understand exactly what cover they have in place before departure.
“One of the biggest issues we see is travellers assuming ski cover is automatic. In fact, snow sports are often excluded unless they’re specifically included, and off-piste skiing may not be covered at all unless it’s within resort boundaries,” Ball said.
Additionally, while medical treatment in Japan is of a very high standard, costs can escalate rapidly, particularly when injuries occur in regional or mountainous areas.
“Serious ski injuries can require surgery, extended hospital stays, or evacuation from remote resorts. Medical evacuation or repatriation to Australia can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances,” she said.
Ball also notes that comprehensive policies typically include cover for the repatriation of remains, an aspect of travel insurance many travellers don’t consider until it’s too late.
“It’s a highly sensitive topic, but in the most serious cases, the cost of returning someone home can place enormous financial and emotional strain on families if insurance isn’t in place. Travellers should ensure they have an appropriate level of cover before they head to the slopes and be mindful of any relevant restrictions and exclusions.”
Ski travel tragedies
Queensland-born Brooke Day, 22, died on 30 January at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Nagano after a freak ski-lift accident. While boarding a chairlift, her backpack buckle caught on the mechanism, leaving her suspended mid-air before she was rushed to hospital where she suffered a cardiac arrest and later died. Day was on a leisure trip with friends when the accident occurred. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed consular support is being provided to her family.
Just days later, on 2 February, a 27-year-old Australian man from Melbourne died while skiing in Japan’s famed Hokkaido region, between the Niseko Moiwa and Niseko Annupuri ski areas. According to reports, the skier separated from his group while navigating back-country terrain, was later found unconscious and received CPR on the slope before being transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Local police indicated there were no visible injuries, and DFAT is again assisting the family.
More than 1 million Australian visitors hit Japan’s shores in 2025
These incidents come amid extraordinary weather that has seen some prefectures, including Niigata and Aomori, receive snow depths far above seasonal norms, prompting warnings from authorities and emergency responses including deployment of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to assist with snow clearing.
A record 1,058,300 Australian travellers visited Japan during the 2025 calendar year, according to data released by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). It is the first year that Australian visitors to Japan have broken the one million mark, a 15 per cent increase on 2024.
Smartraveller advice
Smartraveller offers the following advice on snow sport safety for Australians:
- Back-country skiing (off-piste) and snowboarding is dangerous. You should stay within the boundaries of the ski resort.
- Take an emergency locator beacon with you if you plan to explore other areas of the mountains.
- Many travellers have suffered serious injuries that could’ve been prevented by wearing the right equipment.
- Check your insurance policy covers you for snow sports.
- Local ski resorts govern rules in each ski region. You can be arrested and detained for unruly behaviour.
If you’re skiing in Japan:
- Use a helmet and protective gear.
- Learn local rules and get weather updates from your hotel, a local tourism centre or the local ski resort.
- Obey local ski region rules.
- Only visit areas that local authorities mark as safe.
- Know what your travel insurance policy covers you for.
