December’s Skiing Snippets – See What Catches our Eye in the World of Snowsports…
1st December 2021
Last modified on December 29th, 2021
– For When We Can Get to Ski in France
– Colorado Orders Compulsory Masks as Omicron Surges
– Ice Cathedral in the Swiss Alps
– Jackson Hole Tram Opens.. LIVE & UPDATED
PlanetSKI’s ‘Skiing Snippets’
Here we cover anything that takes our fancy.
Short news stories, eye catching videos, amusing cartoons, coronavirus updates, things that make us smile/things that make us shout at the screen… in fact anything that catches our eye in the world of snowsports.
Check out all the ‘snippets’ from the last few months:
- July’s Skiing Snippets
- August’s Skiing Snippets
- September’s Skiing Snippets
- October’s Skiing Snippets
- November’s Skiing Snippets
We’re mixing it up.
__________________________________________________
For When We Can Get to Ski in France
10 New Activities This Winter In Francehttps://t.co/wvVWlMRpFZ pic.twitter.com/ytSAd007Pp
— French Mountains (@FrenchMountains) December 27, 2021
Fingers crossed it’s soon…
__________________________________________________
Colorado Orders Compulsory Masks as Omicron Surges
The authorities in the US state have ordered people to wear masks indoors, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.
“The decision was made in response to alarming news about the rise of COVID-19 cases,” according to a statement issued by the local government authorities in Eagle County.
“During the course of a week, medical providers reported a dramatic spike in the number of sick individuals.”
Skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI.
__________________________________________________
Ice Cathedral in the Swiss Alps
__________________________________________________
Jackson Hole Tram Opens
We know them in Europe as ‘cable cars’ but in the USA they are ‘trams’.
“We are pleased to open the Aerial Tram just in time for a celebratory holiday break. The Bridger Gondola, Casper lift, Marmot lift, Thunder lift and Sublette lift opened this weekend, after 48 inches of snow fell from the most recent storm,” said JHMR President Mary Kate Buckley.
“The Aerial Tram is an essential part of our mountain, and it’s always a special moment when we see Big Red carrying skiers and riders to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain.”
Photo courtesy: Amy Jimmerson
The opening marks the first time the Aerial Tram will run at full capacity since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and masks are required while riding the tram.
Jackson Hole remains one of our favourite resorts in the USA – here’s why:
We are hoping to get there later in the season…. fingers crossed…
__________________________________________________
Davos World Economic Forum Postponed
The meeting in the Swiss ski resort has been delayed due the uncertainty over the spread of Omicron.
It was due to have taken place 17th – 21st January 2022.
It sees senior political and economic leaders from around the world gather.
It is now planned for early summer.
There will be a winter online version with details to follow.
Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI.
__________________________________________________
Absolutely Snow To Offer Extra Covid-19 Insurance
The ski operator that specialises in skiing in the Pyrenees is offering it to all its clients heading to Andorra or Baqueira Beret in Spain.
It is a specific illness insurance which covers anyone should they test positive for covid while they are on holiday.
It covers the cost of isolation and also repatriation as well as any medical costs.
“It is a specific illness insurance which covers anyone should they test positive for covid while they are on holiday,” said Duncan Gilroy from Absolutely Snow.
He goes on to advise that “it is not a replacement to holiday insurance but a back up or a supplement to it.”
We have explained the Covid-19 restrictions in Andorra here:
Plus see here for an earlier PlanetSKI story about holidays with Absolutely Snow to the Pyrenees:
Duncan Gilroy is currently in Andorra where he says conditions are “fabulous”.
Grandvalira, Andorra. Image c/o Absolutely Snow
Arcalis, Andorra. Image c/o Absolutely Snow
__________________________________________________
We’re Dreaming of Jackson Hole
Check out our earlier report on PlanetSKI looking forward to the season of 2021/22.
__________________________________________________
Scotland’s Avalanche Forecasting Service Begins
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) assesses snow and avalanche conditions in six mountain areas from early or mid-December to mid-April.
The areas and forecasts on 11th December are:
- Lochaber – considerate (Level 3)
- Glencoe – considerate (Level 3)
- Creag Meagaidh – considerate (Level 3)
- Southern Cairngorms – moderate (Level 2)
- Northern Cairngorms – moderate (Level 2) – moderate (Level 2)Torridon.
Last winter there were 212 avalanches recorded.
10 of them involved people but there were no fatalities.
Avalanches can occur naturally, can be triggered accidentally by people, or caused deliberately to remove an avalanche risk in ski areas.
Hillwalkers, climbers and skiers use SAIS information alongside weather forecasts to help them plan trips.
Cairngorm in May – image © Rod Frazer
__________________________________________________
Chill Factore Re-Opens
__________________________________________________
Snowmaking Starts at Beijing Alpine Venues
__________________________________________________
Christmas is Coming
If these skiing Santas don’t put a smile on your face this holiday – maybe their cause will! The crisscrossing Kris Kringles raised hundreds for charity at a New England ski resort. https://t.co/7mtInaitsr pic.twitter.com/S3aJSAFZ3C
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) December 6, 2021
__________________________________________________
Global Warming Closes World’s Highest Ski Resort
Bolivia was once home to the world’s highest ski resort.
As global warming took a toll on the country, the resort has now reduced to an example of the devastating impact of climate change.
__________________________________________________
World Cup Racing in Switzerland to go Ahead
There had been fears for the World Cup ski races scheduled for St Moritz on 11 and 12 December.
It followed the decision of the Swiss authorities to order mandatory 10-day quarantine for everyone travelling from some countries, including Canada and the UK, after the discovery of the omicron variant of Covid-19.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) announced on Thursday 2nd December that ski racers would be exempt from the quarantine requirements.
“The Canton of Graubünden granted participants exceptional entry into Switzerland, meaning that people who are necessary for the races are permitted to travel to St Moritz without a 10-day quarantine period,” FIS said.
“Details of the provisions associated with the exemption are currently under discussion and will be announced as soon as they are finalised.”
St Moritz, Switerland © PlanetSKI
__________________________________________________
GB Athletes in Action
There’s a number of our snowsports athletes in action over the coming few days in a wide variety of disciplines.
Alpine
30th November – 5th December – World Cup (Downhill), Beaver Creek (USA):
Roy Steudle
2nd – 3rd December – Europa Cup (Super G), Zinal (SUI):
Charlie Raposo
__________________________________________________
Cross-Country
4th December – World Cup (15km F), Lillehammer (NOR):
Andrew Musgrave
__________________________________________________
Freestyle Ski
3rd – 4th December – World Cup (Big Air), Steamboat (USA):
Chris McCormick
Katie Summerhayes
James Woods
Izzy Atkin (decision to compete will be confirmed pending injury recovery assessments)
__________________________________________________
Moguls
4th December – World Cup, Ruka (FIN):
Will Feneley
Leonie Gerken Schofield
Mateo Jeannesson
Skyler Nunn
__________________________________________________
Aerials
2nd – 3rd December – World Cup, Ruka (FIN):
Lloyd Wallace
__________________________________________________
Freestyle Snowboard
2nd – 4th December – World Cup (Big Air), Steamboat (USA):
Billy Cockrell
Katie Ormerod
__________________________________________________
Para Nordic
4th – 12th December – World Cup (Cross Country Short/Middle/Sprint, Biathlon Individual/Sprint/Middle), Canmore (CAN):
Steve Arnold
Scott Meenagh
Steve Thomas
__________________________________________________
Para Snowboard
29th – 30th November – Europa Cup (Banked Slalom), Landgraaf (NED):
Jon-Allan Butterworth
29th – 30th November – World Cup (Banked Slalom), Landgraaf (NED):
James Barnes-Miller
Ollie Hill
Andy MacLeod
Owen Pick
GB Snowsport. Image © GB Snowsport
__________________________________________________
USA Set to Tighten Entry Testing Rules
All in-bound air travellers will need to produce a negative test taken the day before departure.
The current requirement is three days.
All travellers must be double vaccinated.
It will impact all those planning a ski trip to the US this winter.
It comes as concerns grow over the omicron variant.
San Francisco Airport. Image © PlanetSKI
__________________________________________________
Japan to Close Borders to All Foreigners
The rules comes into force at midnight on Tuesday.
That includes tourists who might be heading to the country to ski, business travellers and foreign students.
The measure has been imposed for an initial period of one-month.
Alas Japan’s borders remain closed but @Niseko is opening for the season and the new Hanazono gondola just got inaugurated, waiting for when we can travel again… pic.twitter.com/a1c32fXQww
— Snow Forecast.com (@SnowForecast) December 1, 2021
Image © PlanetSKI
__________________________________________________
Image © PlanetSKI
