Redion's 2025 "Snow Plane"

During the 2025 Carnival holidays, Redion opened more cases on the ski slopes in the Alps compared to 2024.

• From February 21 to March 6, 2025, 277 "ski" medical cases were opened, a rise of 10% compared to the equivalent holiday periods in 2024. This rise is partly explained by the large number of people (French- and Dutch-speaking) who went to ski resorts this year.
• 11% of "ski" medical cases resulted in hospital admission (the same % as in 2024).
• The ski destinations that recorded the highest number of medical cases are France (52%), Austria (22%), Switzerland (14%), and Italy (12%).
• The number of technical interventions on the way to ski resorts fell (-19% vs. 2024).
• Note: In 2024, the holiday periods for French- and Dutch-speaking regions were separate. In 2025, the second week of French speakers' "Carnival holidays" coincided with the Dutch speakers' Carnival week (Krokusvakantie), which made comparing the two years less straightforward.

"Ski" medical cases at Redion

From Friday, February 21 to Thursday, March 6, 2025, Redion opened a total of 277 "ski" medical cases in the Alps, a rise of 10% compared to the same holiday period for French- and Dutch-speaking travelers in 2024. This increase in the number of cases is explained by the high number of skiers on the slopes, by ski conditions, and by certain factors or attitudes among skiers, which we cover further in this article. During the 2025 holidays, 11% of injured skiers were hospitalized (the same figure as in 2024).

Ski accidents occurred mainly in France (52%), Austria (22%), Switzerland (14%), and Italy (12%).

The frequency of ski injuries (all ages combined)

Winter sports accidents are generally not only related to the amount and quality of snow. Various other factors can play a role, such as:
• how busy the slopes are;
• the weather;
• careless or reckless behavior, the pursuit of thrills (sometimes encouraged by increasingly high-performance ski equipment);
• wanting to achieve a personal feat (and film oneself doing it);
• failure to follow safety rules;
• off-piste skiing;
• muscle fatigue and lack of experience or physical preparation;
• faster ski lifts allowing more runs in a single day;
• longer or steeper slopes;
• general fatigue of the skier, or a midday break accompanied by alcohol consumption.
• …

The "Snow Plane": an annual tradition at Redion

As (almost) every year since the 1980s, Redion has offered injured travelers who did not need urgent repatriation, or who wished to stay with their family on site, the option of being flown home at the end of the holidays aboard its "Snow Plane".
In 2025, a total of 18 unlucky holidaymakers, including 15 injured, boarded Redion's Snow Plane bound for Brussels from Grenoble airport. Repatriation from French and Swiss ski resorts is carried out in partnership with Brussels Airlines.

Assistance professionals

The "Snow Plane" operation is carried out by a team of Redion professionals, including doctors, nurses, stretcher-bearers, and assistants... The plane is specially fitted out to accommodate passengers according to the requirements linked to their injuries. The most seriously injured lie on stretchers. Those with lighter injuries have an extra seat to comfortably rest their leg or arm. Lightly injured passengers occupy a standard seat. Family members are not left behind either; they too can take a seat on Redion's Snow Plane.

Support from Grenoble airport

For this large-scale operation, Redion can count on the support and logistical help of Grenoble airport. On this subject, Mr. Pierre Marnotte, director of Grenoble Alpes Isère airport, states: "As part of the public service mission entrusted to our platform, the airport's teams are mobilized to welcome Redion Belgium's 'Snow Plane' and its passengers. The airport's proximity to the Alpine ski areas is a real asset that shortens the evacuation chain between the winter sports resorts of Isère and the place of residence of the repatriated passengers."

Fewer "technical" cases to and from the Alps

On the way to ski resorts, Redion recorded a 20% drop in technical interventions on vehicles heading to or coming from ski resorts. This drop is mainly explained by mild weather and good traffic conditions during this period.