Ski season: an emergency can cost hundreds of thousands if we don’t prepare consciously

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 02. 11. 11:12

🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Nyelv: Sebesség: 1.05×

Winter and the ski season are in full swing, and many Hungarians are targeting the ski resorts of neighboring countries: the more than half a millionactive domestic skiers are nearly90 percentof people enjoy their favorite winter sport abroad. However, snowy slopes and mountain roads are not only exciting experiences, but also pose serious risks. A skiing accident or a car breakdown on the road can result in unexpected expenses of hundreds of thousands of forints. According to a survey conducted by Europ Assistance last year, nearly two-thirds of Hungarians who suffered an unexpected event while traveling abroad had to pay between 100,000 and 500,000 forints to resolve such an emergency.

Although more and more people are preparing ahead of time, protection is still not universal: research conducted by Europ Assistance last year showed that four out of ten of those who travel abroad at least every two years always take out travel insurance, while a third (31%) only take it out for special trips – such as skiing.

Common injuries on ski slopes: from sprains to femur fractures

According to official statistics from Alpine countries, approximately 250,000 skiing accidents occur in European ski resorts every year, a significant proportion of which are anterior cruciate ligament ruptures and medial collateral ligament damage. In addition, cartilage injuries, sprained wrists or shoulders, and wrist and elbow fractures are common. The latter can mostly occur when falling with an outstretched hand. A femur fracture can also occur in a strong impact or a high-speed fall, and ankle injuries, bruises, and sprains are common, especially among beginner skiers. Athletes should pay attention to each other and their surroundings, as accidents can result from collisions between skiers or snowboarders, from slipping off the slope, or from hitting an obstacle. It is also essential that everyone wears a helmet of appropriate quality, as head and neck injuries can have permanent consequences.

These injuries are not only painful, but they can also put a strain on the traveler’s wallet. An unexpected rescue, hospital treatment, or even repatriation can be a serious expense. According to a previous representative survey by Europ Assistance, the majority of Hungarians who encountered unexpected situations while traveling abroad had to count on expenses of at least one hundred thousand forints. Nearly half of those affected paid an amount between 100 and 250 thousand forints, while in every tenth case the costs exceeded 350 thousand forints, and in some cases the expenses reached 500 thousand forints.

In addition, half of Hungarians traveling abroad believe that it would be very problematic to transport a patient home.

Risks even during the trip

Skiing often involves a long car journey: according to previous surveys, the majority of the approximately half a million active Hungarian skiers, more than 90 percent visits foreign ski slopes. Among Hungarian skiers, Austria is still the most popular destination, Slovakia holds a stable second place, and Slovenia and Italy are also present on the top list.

According to a survey by Europ Assistance, one fifth (19 percent) of Hungarians travel abroad by car at least every six months, while more than a third (37 percent) make such a trip annually.

If you are approaching the ski paradise by car, you should make sure that the vehicle is in technically perfect condition, that you have winter tires, and if necessary, snow chains. Before setting off, it is worth finding out about the road conditions, the condition of the mountain roads, and the expected weather. It is also very important to be aware of the laws of the given country, especially where it is mandatory to have