James Cove

4th June 2025

GB Cross-Country Ski Teams Named

Britain will be represented by 21 athletes in Cross-Country competitions in the coming season following confirmation of squad selections for 2025/26.

3rd June 2025

Austrian Alps Grows Year-Round Tourism

More people are visiting Austria outside the traditional times in the winter and summer seasons.

3rd June 2025

Where & When Are the Best Snow Conditions in Australia & New Zealand?

A new survey crunches the numbers and the snow stats. With the season getting underway Down Under shortly we see which resorts come out on top.

3rd June 2025

Ex-CEO of Vail Resort Receives $2.2m Payout

Kirsten Lynch recently stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts. She is replaced by the former CEO Rob Katz.

3rd June 2025

Learn to Ski Indoors in the UK this Summer

Snowsport England has announced the launch of the Way2Snow campaign. It aims to give people access to learn to ski or snowboard ahead of a first winter holiday.

2nd June 2025

Tributes To Claire Pennell of Snowsport England

Claire Pennell passed away last Friday. She was part of the Snowsport England senior leadership team and responsible for operations.

2nd June 2025

What Next for Blatten, Switzerland & the Alps After Glacier Landslide?

The village of 300 inhabitants was buried under an unprecedented landslide last week. The implications for the Lötschental Valley, Switzerland and the wider Alps are significant. UPDATED

1st June 2025

June’s Ski News in Brief

– French Senate Supports Fast-Track Olympic Bill
– Scottish Wingsuit Flyer Dies in Alps
– The History of Freestyle
– Second Body Found in Canada Rockslide
– Ski Visits to Utah Fall… UPDATED

30th May 2025

Three Resorts in USA Still Open

As June starts there are resorts still offering skiing and snowboarding. UPDATED

29th May 2025

Ban on Russia for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Confirmed

The International Olympic Committee has clarified the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Russia’s participation at the approaching Winter Games.

29th May 2025

Monitoring Rock Falls in the Alps

The destruction of the village of Blatten in the Swiss Alps by a huge landslide has highlighted the threat posed by climate change as the mountains become more unstable. NEW

29th May 2025

Rob Katz Returns as CEO of Vail Resorts

The 58-year old replaces Kirsten Lynch who has stepped down as CEO and as a director of the Board.

29th May 2025

Swiss Village Destroyed by Landslide as Glacier Collapses

The Swiss President has visited village of Blatten that was buried after a huge chunk of glacier broke off and crashed down into the valley triggering a massive landslide. There are calls for the village to be re-built. UPDATED

26th May 2025

FIS Highlights Racer Safety

For any high-speed sport, risk mitigation is among the biggest tasks. The International Ski & Snowboard Federation is working to make alpine ski racing safer while retaining its excitement and appeal.

26th May 2025

Whistler Ends Summer Skiing

The Canadian resort has announced it is suspending summer skiing on its Horstman Glacier in the Blackcomb area indefinitely. It ends a decades-long tradition. Climate change is to blame.

26th May 2025

Increase in Winter Stays in Austria

There were 51m overnight stays in the 2024/25 season according to figures released by Statistics Austria.

26th May 2025

Investigation After Five Ski Mountaineers Die in Swiss Avalanche

They were located after another group saw some abandoned skis near the summit of a mountain near Zermatt with no sign of their owners. A separate avalanche in Switzerland has killed another skier. UPDATED

23rd May 2025

More Austrian Ski Areas Join Epic Pass

Six new resorts have been added to the Epic Pass for next season: Soelden, Silvretta Montafon, Saalbach, Zell am See, Mayrhofen & Hintertux. UPDATED

22nd May 2025

US Snowboard Company Pauses Production Due to Trump Tariffs

Goon Gear will not produce snowboards for the 2025-2026 season. It says the decision is due to Trump’s tariffs and rising costs.

21st May 2025

Swiss Village Remains Evacuated as Huge Rockfall Threatens

300 people in Blatten in the Valais canton remain unable to return to their homes. There have been minor falls and the situation has stablised, but it is still feared a major fall could happen and destroy large parts of the village. UPDATED

21st May 2025

Summer Ski Season Approaches

Resorts in the Alps, Scandinavia, South America, Australia and New Zealand are preparing to open in the next few weeks for skiing and snowboarding in the summer months. UPDATED

20th May 2025

FIS Focuses on Sustainability

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation has created the SNOWBALL Sustainability Guide. It aims to support snowsport event organisers build sustainable practices from the ground up.

19th May 2025

Another Two Ski Tourers Die in Swiss Avalanche

Details have been released of two further ski deaths in Switzerland. It follows a separate accident on the Eiger that we have already posted on. UPDATED

18th May 2025

UK/EU Summit Impacts Snowsports

There could be more young Brits back working in the Alps under a new youth mobility scheme. It is not part of the agreement, but there is an understanding in principle. Plus UK citizens should be able to use the EU lanes at airports, but no time-frame has been revealed. UPDATED

18th May 2025

Jackson Hole Wins Safety Award

The National Ski Areas Association has given the award of Best Overall Safety Program to the resort in Wyoming.

18th May 2025

Long Jail Terms Demanded Over Turkey Ski Hotel Fire that Killed 78

The blaze happened at the Grand Kartal Hotel at the Kartalkaya ski resort in the early hours of January 21st 2025. There are accusations of safety failures on multiple levels.

16th May 2025

Swiss Glaciers Start Summer with Low Snowpack

There was 13% less snow last winter than the annual average. It bodes badly for the summer glacier melt.

15th May 2025

Fancy Owning a Ski Resort?

Mt Dobson Ski Field in New Zealand is up for sale. Mt Dobson is known for its sunny, expansive basin, uncrowded slopes, and family-friendly atmosphere.

15th May 2025

Rule Changes to Skiing in Japan as International Visitors Surge

It is the No 1 bucket list destination with huge amounts of snow and an overall experience second to none. The government is set to introduce new regulations for international visitors resulting in more bureaucracy and cost.

14th May 2025

USA Saw Second Busiest Ski Season

Preliminary data from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) indicates that the 2024-25 season saw the second-highest visitation on record at US ski areas.

13th May 2025

Eight Resort Operators Form Global Sustainability Ski Alliance

It is first international collaboration of its kind, focused on accelerating climate action, reducing CO₂ emissions, and advancing sustainable innovations.

12th May 2025

Inquest Held Into UK Avalanche Victim

27 year old Joshua Byers, from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire was buried by an avalanche at Val Thorens an inquest heard. NEW

12th May 2025

More Resorts Close in USA but Skiing Continues

Several resorts closed at the weekend but there is still skiing to be had with some going into June.

12th May 2025

As High Alpine Passes Cleared of Snow We Look at Summer Skiing in the Alps

The clear up continues and we report on which areas are still open and where summer skiing is possible in the Alps. UPDATED

10th May 2025

New Zealand Ski Resort Set to Open Early After Heavy Snow

Mt Hutt is planning to open on Saturday May 31st, its earliest opening for 16 years. More snow has fallen with snow coming down in South America too. UPDATED

10th May 2025

Provisional 2025-26 Alpine World Cup Dates Released

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation, FIS, has published its expected 2025-26 Alpine World Cup race calendar.

10th May 2025

PlanetSKI Is Still Skiing. Just!

We report from Sunshine Village in Alberta Canada where there are still turns to be made. This weekend the resort closes with its legendary Slush Cup event. UPDATED

10th May 2025

US Snowboarder Who Fell From Chairlift Dies of His Injuries

32-year-old father of two, Donovan Romero, fell from a lift in Keystone in Colorado last December. The lift had a safety bar, but it had not been lowered. There are further calls to make their use compulsory.

7th May 2025

FIS Teams Up With Azerbaijan as Skiing in Asia Grows

The aim is to promote and develop the country’s status as a world-class destination for snow sports, from recreational to elite.

4th May 2025

Ski Season in the Alps Ends. Almost.

All the resorts in the Alps have now closed their main ski areas. A few glacier areas in Austria remain open, with one in Switzerland & another in France. Plans are in place for summer skiing. UPDATED

2nd May 2025

Swiss Pilot Investigated After Glacier Take Off Through Ski Tourers

The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation, FOCA, has opened proceedings to clarify the facts and take appropriate measures. A video of the incident has been posted on social media.

2nd May 2025

AJ Bell 3 Valley Rally Raises £100,000 for Snow Camp

It took place in Val Thorens at the end of April and the final total has been released as 18 teams took part to raise the money for Snow Camp’s work with young people across the UK.

2nd May 2025

New Overnight Ski Train from Paris to the French Alps

The Travelski Night Express will begin service this December and tickets go on sale this month.

2nd May 2025

Cairngorm Funicular Closed for Maintenance

The funicular at the Scottish mountain resort is out of service from Monday 12 May until Monday 2 June 2025 for essential annual maintenance.

1st May 2025

May Ski News in Brief

– Ben’s Bus has New Stop in La Plagne
– Swiss Air Cancels 1,400 Summer Flights
– Jackson Hole Snowboard Legacy
– VIP SKI Says Xmas Selling Out Fast
– Top Ten Cliff drops from 2025 FWT UPDATED

30th April 2025

Black Diamond Set to Raise Prices in USA Due to Trump’s Tariffs

It says prices on most of its products will increase 10–25% due to the recent global tariffs introduced by the Trump Administration.

28th April 2025

UK Ski Operator Mountain Heaven Closes

The company has been in existence for 21-years and has taken 80,000 people to the mountains, plus employed more than 500 staff. Ill health of a director is the reason.

28th April 2025

Skiing Continues in North America as Heavy Snow Falls

In the USA about 20 ski areas in around ten states are open, and there is still some skiing in Alberta in Canada. UPDATED

28th April 2025

The Season in Europe Winds Down

It’s been a good end to the season of 2024/25 in the Alps . We hear in detail from Tignes that remains open until this weekend, plus look at the other ski areas open this summer UPDATED

27th April 2025

Vail Resorts Sees Drop in Visitors to its North America Resorts

There was a 3.1% drop in skier visits but a 3.4% increase in lift ticket revenue compared to the prior year.

26th April 2025

Fundraiser Set up for Briton who Died in Val Thorens Avalanche

27-year old Josh Byers from North Yorkshire died on 17th April as a heavy snowstorm hit the Alps. Family friends have launched a fundraising page for his repatriation and funeral costs.

26th April 2025

More Resorts Close this Weekend with a Few Hanging On In

It’s been a good end to the season in the Alps after the recent snow. We look at resorts closing + where in Europe & North America skiing continues. UPDATED

25th April 2025

Promising French Ski Racer Dies in Training Accident in Val d’Isere

The French Ski Federation has announced that 18-year old Margot Simond died after an accident while training in the French resort ahead of a weekend event.

24th April 2025

UK/EU Visa Deal Could See More Young Brits Back Working in Ski Resorts

Brexit ended the free movement of labour and with it many jobs in the Alps for British people. Negotiations are underway to allow people under 30 to study and work abroad.

24th April 2025

Intersport in Austria Claims Good Winter

Facts, figures and reports are being compiled as the winter season ends. The latest comes from the ski rental group, Intersport, and covers the scene in Austria.

21st April 2025

Final Ski Resorts in Alps Set to Close but Handful Remain Open

More close this weekend but, some go into May. There’s a few areas open North America – some into July! UPDATED

20th April 2025

Kazakhstan Looks to Develop its Skiing

The government wants to expand its ski offerings around Almaty with a focus on attracting foreign skiers and snowboarders. Skiing in Asia is on the rise.

19th April 2025

Fabulous Easter Skiing Conditions as Season Draws to a Close

It follows the biggest snowstorm of the winter in the western Alps. PlanetSKI reporters & readers are out in the Alps. UPDATED

16th April 2025

Snowsport England Teams Up With Two Indoor Snowcentres

Snowsport England has a new partnership with Snowcentres Limited that it claims marks a significant step forward in the development of snowsports in the UK.

15th April 2025