What snow sports injuries cost – and who absorbs the gap
Within this context, snow sports represent a concentrated, seasonal, and geographically predictable source of claim volume. ACC paid 73,630 days of weekly compensation for snow sports injuries in 2024 at a cost of $10.6 million. The gross maximum weekly compensation payable rose to $2,466.20 from July 1, 2026 – a 1.97% increase derived from movements in the March 2026 Labour Cost Index, according to ACC. Anyone earning above the compensation threshold absorbs the residual income shortfall through private cover or savings. Injury patterns from 2025 show regional concentration: Otago recorded 7,168 claims, followed by Canterbury with 2,384, Auckland with 1,429, and Manawatu/Wanganui with 1,070, according to ACC. Soft-tissue injuries accounted for 74% of snow sports claims and fractures and dislocations made up 16%. The leading age groups were 20-24 for skiing and 25-29 for snowboarding.