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James Cove

Family Teenage Ski Holidays Under Threat

UK 12-15 years old cannot get double vaccinated, but many ski nations need them to be in order for them to get a health pass. The pass gives them access to access the ski lifts and other resort facilities. Otherwise it is multiple testing in some countries or perhaps not being able to use lifts at all in others.

Swiss Voters Back its Covid-19 Certificate

The referendum was held on Sunday as cases rise sharply. Switzerland has one of the lowest vaccination rates in western Europe. It is the second vote in the last 4-months on Covid19 measures. UPDATED

Inghams Highlights Switzerland

Inghams has recently launched its Covid-19 Online Hub to guide customers through the various and complex rules. Here it looks at the situation in Switzerland.

Italy Tightens Covid-19 Restrictions

From December 6th unvaccinated people will be banned from ski lifts and from taking part in a range of leisure activities. A negative test will not be enough for entry to restaurants, cinemas and other venues. NEW

Austrian Prosecutor Ends Covid-19 Case Against Ischgl

The Innsbruck state prosecutor has concluded its 18-month probe into criminal liability for the outbreak in the ski resort. There will be no charges for the authorities in Ischgl. There are accusations of a ‘cover up’ from some interested parties.

GB Snowsport Athletes in Action

Many of the GB big guns are competing over the next few days. Charlotte Bankes gives us an indication of her Olympic credentials. Also in action are Andrew Musgrave, Charlie Guest, plus para athletes Menna Fitzpatrick & Millie Knight who have done rather well. UPDATED

France Extends Pass Sanitaire Requirement to Ski Lifts

It is no great surprise and it brings France into line with Austria and Italy. There have been further changes to mask wearing rules with more requirements. UPDATED

Jackson Hole Prepares to Open

The iconic US resort that is a firm favourite of PlanetSKI is firing up its lifts in time for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday. Here we look at the resort and what the season may hold in store. NEW

Ski Guiding is Back for VIP SKI

VIP SKI is offering free ski guiding at its new property in Arc 1950. It is available for the first two mornings of a holiday.

GB Snowsport Unveils New Nordic Paraski Rigs

With 100 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, GB Snowsport and Williams Advanced Engineering have unveiled new sit-ski technology. NEW

Black Friday Ski Deals

You may love it or you may loathe it, whatever your view Black Friday is upon us. And there are some rather good ski and snowboard deals out there. UPDATED

Ski Season Underway in Val Thorens

The resort’s 5-month season started last weekend and PlanetSKI was there to enjoy it. We look back at the weekend and forward to the season ahead in the highest resort in the Alps.

The Tirol Answers Your FAQ as Austria Enters Lockdown

The Austria Province which is home to some of the major ski resorts in Austria has provided PlanetSKI with the answers to some of its Frequently Asked Questions to keep people informed.

France Confirms Covid Rules for Ski Resorts

The 250 French ski areas now have a roadmap for opening and the measures needed. Much is known already but this is final confirmation. Resorts in France are already starting to open over the next few weeks. However cases are rising sharply and further measures are expected shortly. UPDATED

Bavaria Cancels Xmas Markets

Ski resorts in the German alpine state were preparing to open in the next few weeks and are watching developments closely as Covid-19 spreads. The government says by the end of this winter everyone in Germany will either be ‘vaccinated, recovered or dead’.NEW

Snow is Falling with More in the Forecast

Conditions have been about average for the time of year – so far. Some areas have good snow, but it’s been warm & more snow is needed. That situation is now changing… UPDATED

Austria Goes into Lockdown but Skiing Can Continue

Two more resorts have re-opened as others consider their position. Skiing has been classed as a ‘recreation outdoor’ activity but many resorts have chosen to remain closed. They are planning to open on December 13th after lockdown is lifted. UPDATED

IOC Speaks to Peng Shuai

The International Olympic Committee has taken a ‘quiet diplomatic approach’ with increasing concerns over the safety of the tennis player. Its President has now spoken to her in a video call. The Winter Olympics are due to take place in the Chinese capital Beijing in under 3-months.UPDATED

Ski Resorts in Austria Prepare for Lockdown

The whole country goes into lockdown on Monday. Some ski resorts remain open this weekend for final turns and others are now changing their opening plans. NEW

President Biden Considers Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing 2022

The US President has said he is weighing up the options as the Winter Olympics approaches. It follows accusations of poor records on human rights for China. NEW

PlanetSKI In Val Thorens For Its Opening

The highest resort in the Alps kicked off its season at the weekend. The French resort plans to be open until the beginning of May. PlanetSKI is in the resort for its opening – we’re finally back on the slopes and making some turns. UPDATED

Austria to Go Into Full Lockdown

It comes as cases surge despite a recent increase in restrictions. Vaccinations will alos be made compulsory. The move will have a significant impact on the start of the ski season, but it is hoped it will mean Xmas skiing can take place. UPDATED

Fancy 60% off Your Ski or Snowboard Hire in France This Winter?

Intersport is running a ‘White Friday’ promotional campaign with some seriously good offers. The offer is underway and expires on November 29th so you’ll need to hurry.

Crystal Ski Offers Help to Get People Back to the Slopes

The UK’s largest ski operator has created a special  information hub to help people navigate through all the details about getting to the slopes with all the various Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Bumper Few Days of Snowsport Competition

GB athletes are in action in alpine skiing, freestyle, cross country, moguls and others. It is the biggest sports programme of the season so far. UPDATED

Ischgl Cancels Traditional Opening Concert as Covid Cases in Austria Soar

New rules have come into place across Austria this week with unvaccinated people ordered into lockdown. Ischgl will open for skiing as planned at the end of November but the concert is off.

Skiweekends & Flexiski Join Forces

Both companies specialise in short breaks to the mountains and will be run by a parent company Ski Elements Ltd.

More Ski Resorts Open in Europe and North America

Verbier in Switzerland and Hochgurgl in Austria opened last weekend. In North America Vail & Breckenridge in the USA have opened some slopes with three resorts around Banff in Canada also now open. Check out the opening day videos…UPDATED

Unvaccinated People in Austria Locked Down

Cases are surging in the Alpine nation with health services coming under growing pressures. It comes as ski resorts open and others are preparing for the approaching season. UPDATED

International Ski Federation Launches New Environmental Initiative

It aims to become the first Climate Positive International Sports Federation by 2022 through its FIS Rainforest Initiative.

Is Now the Time for a North America Ski Road Trip?

Hell Yeah!  The Ikon Pass covers many fabulous resorts in the USA and Canada and so with a single pass you can ski dozens of resorts.  PlanetSKI reports from experience on the possibilities and what road trips are all about.

Kite Skiing Across Antarctica

Justin Packshaw and Jamie Facer Childs are heading south to begin an 80-day expedition across 2,500 miles of the frozen continent. PlanetSKI is following their travels.

UK Booster Does Not Register on NHS Covid App

Some countries, including Austria and Switzerland, require people to have had their second jab within a set time frame. The ommission of the booster will therefore affect some winter travel unless changes are made. NEW

UK Interest in Skiing in the USA Grows as Borders Open

With the US borders now open to travellers from Europe latest figure show travellers from the UK are most keen to visit. It is hoped by ski resorts that this transfers to winter tourism.

Covid-19 Rules on Ski Slopes in France for Next Winter

A health pass will not be needed to use ski lifts, though masks will need to be worn. President Macron has announced some further details about the criteria for the ‘pass sanitaire’ that will be needed in the resorts next winter. UPDATED

Austria Tightens Covid-19 Rules as Cases Rise

The alpine nation is battling a surge in cases as its ski resorts begin to open. Unvaccinated people will need to follow further constraints as the government implements Level 4 restrictions. UPDATED

25 Ski Areas Now Open in Europe With Some Deep in Snow

Two big snow storms swept across the Alps last week leaving up to 70cm of fresh snow in places. It is an excellent start to the winter ski season with many hoping it is taste of what’s to come. UPDATED

Maison Sport Partners with Pelotan

The ski instructor web portal has teamed up with the high-performance sun protection product.
NEW

North American Ski Industry Leaders Join Together to Fight Climate Change

Alterra Mountain Company, Boyne Resorts, POWDR and Vail Resorts have announced the Climate
Collaborative Charter. It is the ski industry’s first unified effort to combat climate change with shared commitments around sustainability and advocacy.

Ski France Adds More Chalets

At a time when chalets are in short supply as some UK operators have cut them back due to employment laws and Brexit, one operator is adding to its portfolio. And throwing in a few free airport transfers. NEW

A Greener Way to Get to the Alps

World attention is on the COP26 summit and how we can tackle the climate situation. Skiers wanting to head to France are being advised that train travel is perhaps better for the planet.

Climate Change Threatens Swiss Glaciers

In landlocked Switzerland temperatures are rising faster than in regions that benefit from the ocean’s cooling effect.The glaciers are under threat as world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow.

Heavy Snow Falls in the Alps with Some in the Pyrenees Too

November has started with some excellent snow across large parts of the mountains. 19 resorts already have some terrain open in Europe with more opening this weekend. There are a handful of resorts open in the USA. PlanetSKI looks forward to being out in the Alps later this month. LIVE & UPDATED

Fancy Some Free Ski Lessons?

Chamonix in France is offering two to six day free group ski lessons. They are on offer from January 1st 2022 except for the February school holidays.

November’s Skiing Snippets – See What Catches our Eye in the World of Snowsports…

– Japan to Close Borders to All Foreigners
– Covid Rules for Ski Resorts in British Columbia, Canada
– Drug-Taking Ski Instructor Responsible for GB Surgeon’s Death
– Ski Season Starts in the USA …LIVE & UPDATED

The Isère Region Looks Forward to Winter

Skiing starts at 800m and heads up to 3,600m. The spectacular mountain resorts and the people of Isère in France are waiting to share their region with visitors again. Much of its skiing is perhaps not familiar to UK visitors – yet.

Tirol Tightens its Covid-19 Rules as Cases Rise

The Austrian province is implementing the so-called ‘2G rule’ for late-night dining and events with over 500 people. Masks will also need to be worn in more locations.

Rail Tickets to French Ski Resorts On Sale

Train journeys in France from 3rd January to 28th March 2022 are now on sale. This means that for those dates, Eurostar journeys can be combined with onward trains to the Alps. UPDATED

What’s New in SalzburgerLand in Austria for This Season

In SalzburgerLand resorts have taken advantage of the pandemic pause to invest in improved ski facilities, plus launch new and refurbished hotels.

IOC Commits to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Half by 2030

It comes as the UN Climate Summit, COP26, takes place in Glasgow. The International Olympic Committee claims a firm commitment to tackling climate change as snowsports is threatened.

How About Heading to Jackson Hole this Winter?

The iconic US resort is due to open at the end of November in time for the Thanksgiving Weekend.  Things are looking pretty good with the first snow already falling. Time for a bucket list ski trip across The Pond?

Val Thorens Looks Forward to Winter

It is usually the first resort to open its full area in France and often the last one to close. The highest resort in the Alps has a wealth on offer for this coming season in the post-pandemic ski world.

Next Few Weeks of UK Covid-19 Cases Vital for Ski Season

One scenario sees UK Covid cases remaining stubbornly high and perhaps further nations restricting travel.  Another sees our cases tumbling as we enter a post-pandemic world. Whatever the outcome the next month will have a crucial impact on the season ahead. UPDATED

100 Days to Beijing 2022

The final countdown to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing has started. It will be impacted by Covid-19 & controversy over China’s Human Rights record, but interest is growing with snowsports fans.

New Rules for US Travel Unveiled

The White House has outlined new rules for foreign travellers to the US that will affect those heading to ski in the USA this winter. Flight restrictions are lifted on November 8th. NEW

US Ski Areas Open Weeks Early After Heavy Snow in California

Three resorts in California have fired up some lifts after more than half a metre has fallen. There has been snowfall across some other ski states with another resort in Colorado opening at the weekend. UPDATED

Travellers into England Now Able to Use Cheaper Covid-19 Tests

People returning to England now need to take lateral flow test instead of the more expensive PCR test. However with surging Covid-19 cases in the UK there are worries that some European nations may not welcome people from the UK with a huge impact on the ski season. UPDATED

Morzine Prepares to Welcome Back British Skiers

The resort in the Portes du Soleil is looking ahead to winter. It has been working hard to ensure that guests can enjoy the resort’s facilities safely and hassle-free, while experiencing a warm and heartfelt French Alpine welcome.

Celebrating Independent Ski Resorts in the USA

Teton Gravity Research Releases ‘In Pursuit of Soul’ featuring Indy Resorts. PlanetSKI has visited a few of them.

National Snow Show Claims Success

Thousands of snowsport fans have been at the first ever National Snow Show that took place at the NEC, Birmingham last weekend. PlanetSKI was among them. So, how was it? UPDATED

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