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James Cove

Masks Return to Ski Resorts in Austria in Certain Circumstances

They now need to be worn in all indoor public spaces including cable cars and gondolas. Alternatively people will need to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test, the so-called 3G rule.

UK Ski Operator Has Offers for Next Season

Absolutely Snow is turning its attention to next season as this one draws to a close.  It has four special offers including securing a holiday for 2022/23 for just £1.

Searching for Skiing

The ski operator allChalets reports a growing interest in skiing as travel rules and local Covid-19 restrictions ease. It also claims the Beijing Winter Olympics has provided a boost. It has been crunching the numbers.

Maison Sport Adds Disability Offerings

Maison Sport, the independent ski and snowboard instructor provider, has expanded its service to offer the full range of disability disciplines for skiers & snowboarders of all needs.

The PlanetSKI Snow Report

Significant amounts of snow have fallen across the Alps with some areas reporting well in excess of 50cm. It is very welcome after a prolonged dry spell with spring conditions on the slopes. It bodes well for the start of the Easter break that is getting underway. UPDATED

IOC Offers Financial Support to Ukranian Olympic Movement

The International Olympic Committee has set up a solidarity fund and pledged an initial $200,000 (£150,000) following the Russian invasion of the country.

British man Dies on Slopes of Meribel

An investigation is underway after a 29-year old man from England died on Sunday morning in the French resort. Few details have been released.

PlanetSKI Goes Back in Time in Alpbach

The resort in the Tirol is like a time capsule, but with a few modern twists.  We were only in the resort for 24-hours but would like to return for so much more. Check out our take on an historic resort in the Alps where time simply stands still.

Congratulations Continue for Dave Ryding

The Rocket finished the season in 8th place in the slalom World Cup. It has been heralded as a superb performance, and earlier Dave told PlanetSKI he was highly likely to be in the starting gate for next season.

Fancy a Late Season Ski Trip to the Alps?

If so you are not the only one as Intersport Rentals is seeing bookings surge for Easter. Skiers & Snowboarders can finally hit the slopes with few Covid-19 restrictions in place. With a late Easter the season is set to go out with a bang. UPDATED

Easter Skiing in Tignes

A new hotel in Tignes, Voulez Vous, has offers in place for the Easter holidays with some complimentary upgrades thrown in.

PlanetSKI Postcard from St Johann

It is the latest resort we have visited on our extended stay in the Tirol. We’re examining the secrets of the Tirol and why it is such a special part of the Alps. Step forward St Johann.

Seven of the Best Mountain Restaurants in Tirol

PlanetSKI is currently touring the Tirol in an extended trip. So we thought we’d ask the Tirol Tourist Office for a few recommendations for restaurants. Here is their response.

Investigation After Three Dead in Austria Avalanche

Three ski tourers died and another was injured last Friday in an avalanche in the Oetscher area in Lower Austria. It’s emerged that the group included members of mountain rescue and alpine police. UPDATED

PlanetSKI is Trackside for the Engadin Marathon

The iconic Engadin Skimarathon is the largest cross-country skiing event in Switzerland and the second largest in the world. It’s quite a spectacle and PlanetSKI is hooked.

Kings of Leon to Close Ischgl

The US rock band will play the last of the closing concerts in the Austrian resort. Ischgl is changing its traditional end of season musical offerings.

GB’s Charlotte Bankes Wins World Cup Title

The snowboard cross Crystal Globe was secured with a win in Reiteralm in Austria. It makes up for a disappointing Winter Olympics.

Police In Scotland Issue Warnings After Six Mountain Deaths

Police Scotland is appealing to hill users and mountaineers to plan ahead and take extra care in the coming weeks. The deaths have occurred in the past two weeks. NEW

Austrian Ski Resorts Welcome Relaxation of Covid Restrictions

It is the last major alpine county to do so and the move brings it more into line with Switzerland, France and Italy. PlanetSKI reports from the Tirol on the welcome change and how hopes are rising for a good end to the season. UPDATED

Alterra Invests for the Future

The US based ski resort company is spending $1 billion over the next 5 years for improvements to some of its resorts.  $344 will be spend for next season. Which resorts are set to benefit?

Gold, Silver and Bronzes for GB at Paralympics

It was a successful weekend for Team GB in Beijing as The Games got underway with further medals on Monday. The Russian team has arrived back in Moscow after being thrown out due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Travels & Tales From the Tirol

PlanetSKI is currently based in the Tirol, Austria.  Skiing as many resorts as we can – from the big international ones, to others you have probably never heard of. There are adventures a plenty along the way as we reflect why we rate this part of the Alps so highly.

The PlanetSKI Dave Ryding Interview: In Full

We caught up with The Rocket in Obergurgl in the Tirol last Monday, the day after his silver at Garmisch Partenkirchen. I think it is fair to say we covered most areas -from skiing to marriage, whether he wears underwear when racing and his thoughts on Country & Western.

The PlanetSKI Snow Report

The clear weather and blue sky is back in the Alps after the sand from the Sahara passes. There’s precious little snow in the forecast with temperatures remaining mild. We report from the Austrian Alps and on recent conditions in Scotland. UPDATED

FIS Bans Russian Athletes from All Competitions

The International Ski Federation has said athletes from Russia and Belarus can not take part in any further events this season. The organisation has been under growing pressure and has been criticised by some for being slow to react to the crisis in Ukraine. NEW & UPDATED

Alpine Motorcycle Museum Rises from the Ashes

In January 2021 the Top of the Mountain Motorcycle Museum in Hochgurgl burnt to the ground. Hundreds of irreplaceable vintage bikes were destroyed. It was feared the museum was gone forever, but that didn’t take account of the determination of co-founder Attila Schieber. He’s given a private tour of the refurbished museum to PlanetSKI.

March’s Skiing Snippets

– Skiing in Scotland: the videos
– Look Who We Bumped Into
– CEO of Aspen Skiing Company Steps Down
– Ukranians Take Refuge in the Mountains …LIVE & UPDATED

PlanetSKI: The Dave Ryding Interview

The GB slalom skier has been speaking to us about his latest podium success, when he may retire and the state of GB alpine skiing. We will be posting the full video later in the week, but we can’t wait to tell you that Dave will very likely be racing again next season.

Norway Calls for Full Sporting Ban on Russia

Norway won the most medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Its stance contradicts the initial policy of the International Ski Federation. FIS has been criticised in some quarters for its reaction to the unfolding crisis in Ukraine.

Aosta: Is it the Best Mountain Base in the Alps?

It’s an historic Roman city with a ski lift direct to the resort of Pila and a variety of fabulous resorts on its doorstep. PlanetSKI has been based there for 6-weeks this winter. Check out our full & updated feature article.

PlanetSKI Takes on The Legendary 8

It’s a new route through the Dolomitisuperski area in Italy in the Val Gardena section. We’ve skied the area’s Sella Ronda many a time, but not the ‘Legendary 8’. Time to put that right and assess its legendary credentials.

International Snowsports Events in Russia Cancelled After Invasion of Ukraine

The International Ski Federation has announced that all competitions due to be held in Russia for the rest of the season have been cancelled. It’s a swift about turn for FIS who had earlier indicated that World Cup events planned for this weekend would go ahead. The International Olympic Committee is urging all international sports federations to cancel all events in Russia and Belarus.

French Ski Resorts Reported to be ‘Back to Normal’

Bookings are almost at pre-pandemic levels according to a new report.  PlanetSKI has been on the slopes of France and can report it has been busy over the February holiday period. UPDATED

Austria Eases Covid Entry Rules

People arriving to ski will just need proof of double vaccination or recovery or a negative test when entering Austria. It has been widely welcomed in the snowsports world, and will give a boost to the second half of the season and spring skiing. NEW

Skiing & Snowboarding is Back with Surging Interest for Spring

Resorts and Tour Operators report growing interest as Covid rules ease. A new report backs up the situation for France. EasyJet has put on an extra 50,000 additional seats on flights departing to ski destinations. UPDATED

PlanetSKI Snow Report

There is settled and clear weather across the Alps. PlanetSKI moved across Italy from the Aosta Valley in the west, to The Dolomites in the east at the end of last week. Now we have arrived in the Tirol in Austria for an extended stay. UPDATED

Switzerland Drops Most Covid Restrictions

People in Switzerland will no longer have to show a Covid certificate to enter bars, restaurants and other indoor venues.  Ski resorts will continue to get back to normal, but masks remain needed in cable cars & gondolas. Border restrictions to enter Switzerland have been dropped.

GB’s Dave Ryding Misses Out on An Olympic Medal

After a disappointing first run Dave put in a good second run that propelled him to the top of the leaderboard for a while. But he finished outside the top 10, in 13th place.

Late Season Bookings Rise as Ski Nations Ease Covid Rules

If you want to get away later in the season now is perhaps the time to book. Easter is nearly sold out in some places. We look at the easing of restrictions, the reality of skiing under current rules & growing pressure on holidays.

Fresh Avalanche Warnings as Two People Die in Switzerland

Two men died in Switzerland and others were caught in separate slides in Austria but were rescued. With the busy half-term week underway the danger is ‘considerable’ in places with caution urged. UPDATED

The Longest Slalom Race in the World

It’s the 6km Südtirol Gardenissima in Italy and is now in its 24th edition. 680 racers, both amateur and professional, take part.

7 Days in Les Menuires

It is one of the best locations to access the mighty 3 Valleys ski area and comes in at good value too. We look at the area, day by day, as our reporter hit the slopes earlier this winter for the first time since Covid-19 struck.

Verbier: ‘Just For One Day’

It is an absolute favourite resort of ours at PlanetSKI and is just over an hour’s drive from our current winter base in Aosta, Italy.  Perfect for a day trip.

Ischgl Shakes Things Up with New Spring Concerts + More

The Austrian resort is changing its end of season musical offerings. Instead of a single huge concert on the final weekend in May there will be four concerts starting in April. First up is Simply Red.

The PlanetSKI Snow Report

There has been some fresh snow in parts of the Alps with changeable weather. PlanetSKI is back in the Aosta Valley in Italy where there has been a bit of fresh snow as the half-term week continues. UPDATED

A Week in Les Menuires: Day 6.

It is one of the best locations to access the mighty 3 Valleys ski area and comes in at good value too. We look at the area, day by day, as our reporter hit the slopes earlier this winter for the first time since Covid-19 struck. See here for the latest from Day Six. UPDATED

Investigations Underway After 8 Dead in 3 Separate Avalanches in Austria

In the worst incident 5 people died near the town of Spiss in the Tirol near the Swiss border.  The people caught were a group of Swedish ski tourers. Investigations are underway into all three fatal avalanches. UPDATED

PlanetSKI Explores Passo Tonale

It’s an Italian resort perhaps not so well-known with UK skiers. Which is why PlanetSKI’s Ian Davis visited Passo Tonale with Crystal Ski Holidays. He also dropped in to the neighbouring resort of Madonna di Campiglio. UPDATED

France and Switzerland Ease Some Covid-19 Restrictions

France loosened some rules on Wednesday with Switzerland easing some of its restrictions on Thursday, plus outlining a path to end all measures. We report from the slopes of the two alpine nations and assess the likely impact on skiing for the rest of the winter. NEW

February’s Skiing Snippets…

– Bulgaria to Ease Covid-19 Restrictions
– PlanetSKI Reports from the Ski Resort of Lofer
– Planning a Ski Trip to Canada Before Winter Ends?
– GB Ski Cross Athlete is Esprit Brand Ambassador.. LIVE & UPDATED

Chairlift Goes into Reverse With Skiers Forced to Jump Off

The incident took place at a ski resort in South Korea.  The chaotic scenes have been captured on video. The resort has apologised to all involved and an investigation is underway. NEW

Injury Blow for GB Olympic Medal Hope

The freestyle skier Izzy Atkin has withdrawn from the Big Air competition at Beijing 2022. She won a bronze medal at the Pyeongchang 2018 Games.

The PlanetSKI Snow Report

There has been some fresh snow in parts of the Alps, but also some high winds in places. PlanetSKI’s main team is in the windy part, rather than the snowy part. Check out the latest… UPDATED

2022 Winter Olympics Continues…

Two weeks of snowsport sporting action is underway and we are updating in this rolling blog. We look at the Team GB skiers & snowboarders who are competing, and assess their prospects. UPDATED

First Travelski Express Departs

After Covid-19 delays the new holiday inclusive rail service to the French Alps is finally heading to France. So, what’s on offer?

Norway Scraps Entry Quarantine Rules

The change came into force on Wednesday and applies to all visitors.  It means skiers and snowboarders heading to the Scandinavian country will no longer have to quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have a Covid-19 certificate. 

New Covid-19 Measures Affect French Ski Resorts

From this week a vaccination pass will be needed by everyone over 16. A negative test will not be enough.  Cases continue to grow but ski resorts remain open. PlanetSKI reports from the slopes of La Rosiere in France.

The Rocket Races Again

Dave Ryding competed in the Schladming night slalom on Monday night but came down the field in 20th place. However another Brit, Billy Major, made the second run for the first time, won some World Cup points and even beat Dave Ryding. It was the last slalom race before the Olympics.

Austria Eases Border Rules for Some People from UK

Austria removed the UK from its so-called ‘virus variant list’ on Monday. Triple jabbed skiers and snowboarders are now allowed to enter without the need for a test. It has been widely welcomed by the Austrian ski resorts and those eligible wanting to head to Austria. UPDATED

Switzerland Relaxes Travel Testing Leading to Increase in UK Skiers

Testing rules for entering Switzerland were relaxed on Saturday. It’s been welcomed by the ski resorts & UK operators that offer ski holidays in Switzerland, but cases in the country remain high with health services under pressure. UPDATED

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