March’s Ski News in Brief

12 Year Old Girl Dies After Coach Accident in Val Thorens

28th March 2026

The coach fell down a slope from a parking area in the French resort after the driver got out of the vehicle.

14 other people were injured with some needing hospital treatment.

The passengers were all from Israel.

The accident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning as the group was leaving their hotel to head to the airport.

They had just boarded the bus, when a technical incident meant the driver had to get out of the vehicle.

According to the public prosecutor the driver got out of the bus after it failed to start.

The bus then crashed 10m down a slope.

It ended up on its side, stuck against a small stone building.

The girl was thrown from the bus through an open door before being hit by the vehicle.

The driver tested negative for alcohol and narcotics.

An investigation is underway.

Verbier Green Film Festival is Underway

26th March 2026

The Green Film Festival is taking place in Val de Bagnes from 20th March to 12th April for its second edition.

It offers a friendly and inspiring program of socially conscious film screenings, discussions, and activities dedicated to the environment and ecological transition.

Organized by the imAGIne Association, the festival presents six films exploring themes of sustainability, civic engagement, and climate action:

• Too Hot on March 26 at 7:30 pm at Verbier Cinema,
• Power and Resistance on March 30 at 7:30 pm at Espace Saint-Marc,
• Flow on April 7 at 3:00 pm at Espace Saint-Marc followed by a children’s workshop and snack,
• Life Defending Itself on April 12 at 5:00 pm at Verbier Cinema followed by a discussion and drinks. T

Taking place between Le Châble and Verbier, the festival invites audiences to reflect and take action together, with open discussions after each screening and a welcoming bar area designed to continue conversations in a convivial atmosphere.

Screenings are priced from 10 CHF pp.

Verbier: www.verbier.ch

Rendezvous Music Festival this Weekend in Jackson Hole

26th March 2026

Rendezvous Music Festival returns to Jackson Hole on 28 March 2026, bringing a standout lineup of artists to one of North America’s most iconic mountain settings.

The 2026 edition will be headlined by Grammy Award-winning The Flaming Lips, alongside the acclaimed jam-band Umphrey’s McGee and a high-energy opening set from DJ Blake Horseman.

The weekend’s celebrations begin a day earlier on Friday, 27 March, when skiers and music fans alike can ski directly to a free Souls of Mischief concert beneath the Jackson Hole Tram.

The performance marks the finale of the resort’s Road to Rendezvous music series, setting the stage for the main event.

General Admission tickets are priced from £30/$41 pp.

VIP tickets offer premium amenities including private viewing areas, an open bar, complimentary food and drink, and locally sourced cuisine and cost from £337/$452 pp.

Jackson Hole, USA. Image © PlanetSKI

Dutch Skier Dies After Colliding With a Snow Cannon

24th March 2026

A 25-year-old man from Rotterdam has died after colliding with the snow gun in the Austria resort of Fiss.

The police said the man collided head-first with the snow cannon as he was overtaking another skier at a point where the piste narrowed.

Passing skiers and an emergency doctor who arrived by helicopter were unable to resuscitate the man.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

PlanetSKI is in Gausta

22nd March 2026

Check out our ski adventures in the Norwegian resort.

 

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Free Lift Pass from VIP SKI in Les Arcs

17th March 2026

For travellers looking to squeeze in one final alpine escape this winter, check out this spring skiing offer from VIP SKI, where guests will receive a free six-day Les Arc lift pass when staying at Bear Lodge in Arc 1950.

With a strong track record of excellent late-season snow, April is often one of the most enjoyable times to ski in the Alps.

• Longer daylight hours
• Quieter slopes
• Milder temperatures

Think relaxed mornings on crisp snow followed by long lunches on sunny terraces.

With its ski-in, ski-out location in the heart of the high-altitude Paradiski area, Bear Lodge offers a comfortable and convenient base to enjoy the final weeks of the season while making the most of the spring sunshine and great value on the slopes.

Evenings are sociable and relaxed, with a stylish lounge and bar and dining at the lodge restaurant or opt to unwind in the spa and pool complex, take in mountain views from the hot tub, or settle in for a film in the private cinema room.

Bear Lodge, Arc 1950. Image © PlanetSKI

A seven-night stay at Bear Lodge from 12 April 2026 costs from £1,532 pp, based on two sharing one room on a catered chalet basis, including scheduled group transfers to and from Geneva Airport and a six-day Les Arc lift pass per person.

VIP SKI (0330 175 562,  www.vip-chalets.com)

See here for more about Bear Lodge:

• What makes an award-winning ski hotel?

Arc 1950. France. Image © PlanetSKI 

 Tignes Mountain Shaker this Weekend

12th March 2026

Tignes, France. Image © PlanetSKI

First Avalanche Death in Colorado

10th March 2026

The Colorado Avalanche Information Centre has confirmed the death of a skier in the Boss Basin area.

After a winter of poor levels of snow the skier is the first recorded avalanche death in the state.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the skier,” the CAIC wrote in a  preliminary report.

“Since the last storm, we’ve seen a spike in avalanche activity and human involvements, especially in Colorado’s Northern Mountains.”

“It’s unusual for us to make it into mid-March without any avalanche fatality.

“So we are grateful that that number isn’t higher.”

The avalanche risk remains at Level 3 (considerable) in some areas.

Swiss Glaciers Continue to Melt

6th March 2026

Last year they lost 3% of their volume making 2025 the fourth most severe year for glacier shrinkage.

The worst are 2003, 2022 & 2023.

The winter of 2024/2025 brought unusually low snowfall.

Reduced precipitation combined with the third warmest winter half-year (October to March) since records began led to shallow snow depths

Since 2015, glaciers in Switzerland have lost about a quarter of their total volume, and more than 1,000 smaller glaciers have already vanished completely.

Mont Fort glacier, Verbier. Image © PlanetSKI

Epic Pass Discounted for 13 to 30 Year Olds

5th March 2026

Vail Resorts is offering a special rate for Epic and Epic Local Passes for the 2026-2027 season.

It is an effort to encourage more young skiers and snowboarders to participate in snowsports.

There is a 20% discount on a full-price pass.

The company says it’s working to make skiing and snowboarding more accessible to younger people.

“The future of the sport depends on the next generation of skiers and riders, and it is our responsibility to create a more accessible pathway for them well into young adulthood,” said the CEO of Vail Resorts, Rob Katz.

“We know that young travellers, especially Gen Z, are prioritizing experiences when deciding how to spend their time and money – and we hope to make skiing and snowboarding an easy decision for them.”

Epic Pass pricing chart. Image c/o Vail Resorts.

VIP SKI Now Offering Holidays for Next Winter

3rd March 2026

VIP SKI has opened bookings for Winter 2026/27.

The company says it is “giving forward-thinking skiers first choice of chalets, peak dates and room configurations across its high-altitude Alpine portfolio.

“With demand for premium catered chalets continuing to rise, particularly during school holidays and peak weeks, early bookers can lock in current pricing, secure flagship properties, and reserve sought-after in-chalet childcare well in advance,” said VIP SKI.

Flights, transfers, lift passes and ski hire can also be arranged early, ensuring a seamless and stress-free planning process.

“From the snow-sure slopes of La Plagne and Les Arcs to Val d’Isère’s high-altitude terrain and Avoriaz’s ski-in/ski-out convenience, Winter 2026/27 is already shaping up to reward those who plan ahead,” added VIP SKI.

A seven-night stay at Chalet Kipnuk arriving 21 February 2027, is priced from £1,902 pp, based on six people sharing on a catered chalet basis. The price includes return group transfers from Geneva Airport. Flights extra.

VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)

‘Graciosa’, La Plagne,. Image c/o VIP SKI.

Record Winter Olympics Viewing Figures

2nd March 2026

The European Broadcasting Union, EBU, said the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered record-breaking reach and was the most-watched edition of the Games ever.

“Milano Cortina 2026 stands as the strongest Winter Olympic Games on record for EBU Members, with audiences across Europe engaging at historic levels from Opening Ceremony through to the final medal events,” said the director of Olympics at the EBU, Andreas Aristodemou.

BBC Sport’s UK coverage of the Winter Olympic Games 2026 delivered its largest overall audience consumption ever.

There were a record 83 million streams and more than 44 million streamed hours across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.

A total of 26.3 million viewers tuned in on TV, with a peak audience of 5.5 million for Team GB’s men’s curling final on BBC One.

Social coverage generated 235 million views, confirming the Games as the most widely consumed Winter Olympics ever on the BBC.

• Team GB claims Olympic success
• FIS celebrates Olympic success

Image c/o 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

Boycott of Paralympics Opening Ceremony Grows

1st March 2026

Many countries have announced they will not attend the event if the Russian or Belarusian national anthems are played.

One week before the opening of the Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games more delegations have announced they will not attend the opening ceremony in Verona.

Their protest is over the inclusion of Russian athletes competing under their own flag.

Ukraine was the first to boycott the event.

Finland followed, joining a list that already included Latvia, Poland and the Netherlands.

Canada and Great Britain have also been cited in this context, with some references pointing to logistical constraints alongside ideological objection.

More than 600 athletes from over 50 countries are expected to compete at the Games.

See more on Inside the Games

Winter Olympic Games. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Fancy Skiing with Henry Druce Next Winter?

1st March 2026

Ski with renowned Ski Journalist Henry Druce in Val d’Isère with VIP SKI

Following the success of its inaugural early-season trip, VIP SKI has confirmed that renowned ski journalist Henry Druce will return to Val d’Isère in December 2026, with bookings now open.

For more than 20 years Henry was ski editor for the Daily Mail and The Telegraph, hosting reader trips across Europe, North America and Japan.

Known for his mountain knowledge and sociable hosting style, his guided weeks combine great skiing with lively après-ski camaraderie.

Guests will enjoy four days of complimentary on-piste guiding with Oxygène Ski School, with the option to book discounted off-piste adventures.

The week also includes organised après-ski outings, a charity auction, quiz night and an end-of-week prize-giving celebration.

Accommodation is at No. 3 CLUB Bellevarde, VIP SKI’s largest chalet in Val d’Isère.

Sleeping up to 24 guests across 12 en suite bedrooms, the ski-in/ski-out property sits on the edge of the Santons piste with direct access to the Olympic lift area.

Facilities include a spacious open-plan living area with open fire, sun terrace with two hot tubs, indoor pool and spa complex, plus VIP SKI’s elevated CLUB chalet service with canapé receptions and flexible dining.

A seven-night stay at No. 3 CLUB Bellevarde from 29 November 2026 costs £999 pp, based on two sharing, including return group transfers from Geneva Airport, seven-night accommodation at No. 3 CLUB Bellevarde,

• Welcome drinks reception
• Six-day lift pass,
• Four-day ski guiding
• Charity quiz night
• Fundraising auction for Snow Camp
• End of week celebration with prizes

Flights extra.

Guests can make enquiries via phone, WhatsApp, online chat, direct email or an online enquiry form.

VIP SKI (0330 175 562,  www.vip-chalets.com)

Henry Druce. Image © Henry Druce.

Rendezvous Music Festival returns to Jackson Hole 

1st March 2026

It is back in Jackson Hole on 28 March 2026, bringing a standout lineup of artists to one of North America’s most iconic mountain settings.

The 2026 edition will be headlined by Grammy Award-winning The Flaming Lips, alongside the acclaimed jam-band Umphrey’s McGee and a high-energy opening set from DJ Blake Horseman.

The weekend’s celebrations begin a day earlier on Friday, 27 March, when skiers and music fans alike can ski directly to a free Souls of Mischief concert beneath the Jackson Hole Tram.

The performance marks the finale of the resort’s Road to Rendezvous music series, setting the stage for the main event. General Admission tickets are priced from £30/$41 pp.

For those seeking an elevated experience, VIP tickets offer premium amenities including private viewing areas, an open bar, complimentary food and drink, and locally sourced cuisine and cost from £337/$452 pp.

Availability for VIP tickets is limited.

A three-night stay at Parkway Inn of Jackson Hole departing 26 March 2026 costs from £481 total for four people sharing a superior double queen room.

Jackson Hole: www.jacksonhole.com/

Jackson Hole, USA. Image © PlanetSKI.