The Cost of a Ski Slope Accident

Do you have any idea how much a medical intervention on the ski slopes can cost? Here are two examples.

Help!

Here's a cry for "help" found on an internet forum:

My 18-year-old son went skiing with his girlfriend. As she had paid for both their ski passes with her bank card, she thought this meant they'd both have medical cover. Unfortunately, my son had a fall and had to be evacuated by the mountain rescue services. The costs came to €5,967. I've now found out that my son actually wasn't covered. What can I do? Thank you!

Watch out for the high costs of an assistance intervention

The costs linked to medical interventions on ski slopes can be extremely high depending on the severity of the medical problem. Many winter sports enthusiasts don't seem to be aware of this, though, and head off skiing or snowboarding for a few days without proper or complete medical cover.

The costs of assistance on the slopes can vary considerably from case to case, depending on\

• the medical problem involved,
• the circumstances,
• the destination,
• any travelling companions who may also need care on site or repatriation,
• any family members who join the injured person at their hospital bedside on site,
• the resources deployed at the scene of the accident right through to the return to Belgium.

Two examples of assistance on the ski slopes

Below are two very telling examples of accidents on the slopes and the costs that can result from them (real assistance cases handled by Redion).

A fractured shoulder in the Alps.

Nathalie T. and her daughter travel by train to go skiing in the French Alps.

After fully enjoying two days of mountain skiing, Nathalie has an unfortunate fall and fractures her shoulder. She is taken from the ski slope to the nearest hospital. After receiving initial medical care there, the assistance company decides to repatriate Nathalie and her daughter to Belgium.

Cost of the intervention: €6,865 for the policyholder and her daughter.
The costs cover:

• the slope rescue services,
• the cost of repatriation by air,
• ambulance costs on site and on arrival in Belgium,
• fees for medical escort,
• the costs of the accompanying nurse's assignment, and the plane ticket for the policyholder's daughter,
• contribution to medical costs after reimbursement of the policyholder's health insurance share.

A fractured hip on the Italian slopes

Simon D. drives with his wife to northern Italy to go skiing for around ten days.
Unfortunately, Simon is involved in a serious skiing accident and fractures his hip. He is hospitalised for a few days, then repatriated by his assistance company to Belgium, where he continues his hospital treatment. His wife, deeply affected by the events, is also taken care of by the assistance company and repatriated at the same time as her husband.

Cost of the intervention: €16,270!
These costs cover:

• the cost of repatriation by air ambulance,
• the fees of the accompanying doctor and nurse,
• ambulance costs on site and on arrival in Belgium, and
• taxi costs for the wife and the medical escorts.

In addition, the assistance provider sends a driver on site to bring the policyholder's vehicle back to Belgium.

Setting off well covered for winter sports

The conclusion is simple: don't go on a winter sports holiday without assistance cover protecting both you and those travelling with you. It will only cost you a few dozen euros, and you'll be able to set off with complete peace of mind!

First published: 11/2014 - Updated 01/2020