Aussie ski-related mishaps in Japan account for more than half of all ski- and snowboard-related claims paid during this year’s Northern Hemisphere winter season so far, according to new data.
The renowned ski destination accounted for more 55 per cent of all claims paid to date in 2026, Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) data revealed.
This surge has seen the Land of the Rising Sun overtake traditional heavyweights like USA, Canada and the combined European circuit including Austria, Italy and Sweden.
Key insights from the international insurance provider found that claims have increased by 125 per cent from 2024, with claims from Japan increasing by 33 per cent compared to the 2025 ski season.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance chief customer officer Jess Strange said that Japan’s favourable ski conditions are often the cause of injury and disruption insurance claims.
“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,” she said.
