23rd September 2022
Skiers & snowboarders will be able to visit the country without a visa, and will no longer need to go through a travel agency, from 11th October. The cap on daily arrivals is also to be lifted. NEW
12th September 2022
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told local TV the cap on daily entries could be lifted in the “not so distant future”. It comes as ski companies look forward to the winter and entry made easier.
25th August 2022
Independent travellers are set to be able to enter the country from next month. Currently people have to be part of a guided tour with flights included. Ski operators and resorts have welcomed the move.
23rd August 2022
Japan’s borders remain closed to independent tourists despite hopes that restrictions would be eased by now. One of the UK’s leading operators to Japan, Mabey Ski, remains poised. NEW
17th June 2022
After Covid-19 the governor of the Austrian state proclaims ‘tourism is back’. The state is heavily reliant on the tourist industry and it faced a challenging winter in 2021/22. UPDATED
16th June 2022
It’s the first time the glacier has opened in the Canadian resort since 2019. There were fears that skiing and snowboarding in the summer might be over forever. However there are restrictions and worries for the future of glacier riding.
15th June 2022
There have been huge falls of snow in Australia so far this season, but less so in New Zealand. Not any more as up to 1m has fallen in places. It comes as things get back to normal after Covid-19 with hopes high for a bumper ski season ahead. UPDATED
6th June 2022
PlanetSKI understands Delta Airlines will be running the service five days per week giving access to a host of resorts in Utah. It should give significant boost to the ski areas and open up the resorts to UK skiers and snowboarders.
11th May 2022
From next Monday, May 16th, the guidance will go. It puts air travel into line with other modes of public transport across Europe and will impact those heading to mountain destinations this summer. UPDATED
9th May 2022
The resort closed at the weekend, and we were there for The Grande Derniere ski race and more. We also assess VT’s winter with skier visits back to pre-pandemic levels. It was a fabulous way to end the season.
5th May 2022
We’re in Val Thorens in France for its closing weekend – La Grande Derniere. We were in resort for its opening back in November when there were worries about Covid-19. Now things are back to near normal and we’ll be looking at how the winter went. UPDATED
3rd May 2022
11,000 people gathered for the Top of the Mountain concert in the resort in the Tirol. It capped off a successful season despite Covid-19. NEW
2nd May 2022
From this month international visitors are now able to enter the country if they’re vaccinated and Covid-negative. Summer skiing awaits.
13th April 2022
Tens of thousands of people are still arriving at UK airports without the required Covid test certification for their destination country. Many ski countries do not require a negative test for vaccinated travellers but do for unvaccinated. UPDATED
4th April 2022
PlanetSKI reporter George Eykyn was in St Anton in March 2020 when Covid struck. His off piste course ended, the resort shut and he returned suffering from the symptoms of Covid-19. Now he’s returned to finish what he had started – the ‘Black’ class in the Arlberg Ski School.
1st April 2022
Green passes are not needed for ski lifts, mountain restaurants and other facilities. A Covid vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or negative test result is needed for travellers entering Italy.
24th March 2022
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.
15th March 2022
The remaining Covid travel restrictions are gone. The passenger locator form and tests for the unvaccinated are not needed. It has been welcomed by skiers returing this weekend & those heading out over the rest of the season. UPDATED
13th March 2022
The vaccine pass and the requirement to wear masks indoors are being dropped in France from this Monday. It’s good news for the ski resorts as they go into the last six weeks or so of their season.
9th March 2022
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
24th February 2022
It’s the last major European ski nation to require visitors from the UK to take pre-travel Covid-19 tests. PlanetSKI reacts from the ski slopes of Italy as the news is widely welcomed. UPDATED
23rd February 2022
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
21st February 2022
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
19th February 2022
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
17th February 2022
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.
15th February 2022
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.
2nd February 2022
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
31st January 2022
The Austrian government has announced it will take more steps to ease restrictions gradually in February. Some relaxation has already taken place, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to travel from the UK. UPDATED
27th January 2022
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.
25th January 2022
The need to test for Covid-19 when you arrive in England or Scotland is being scrapped for fully jabbed travellers from 4am on 11th February. The other home nations say they will follow suit. The change comes in time for the school half-term break and bookings are already said to be up. UPDATED
25th January 2022
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.
20th January 2022
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
19th January 2022
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
17th January 2022
We are in one of our favourite alpine bases, Aosta in Italy, until the end of February. We are finally back on snow and report on what it is like in these Covid-19 times. It followed a somewhat traumatic experience even to get here.
14th January 2022
The news that France is now open for vaccinated skiers and snowboarders travelling from UK has led to a spike in bookings and enquiries. Ski holidays in France are back on and it seems there’s a huge pent-up demand, though some are angry at the ban in the first place.
14th January 2022
Many people are now eager to return to the slopes of France as the border opens up from today. However pressure on options is mounting.
12th January 2022
Travellers from the UK are now welcome in France. It’s a huge relief to the UK ski industry. The decision was announced by the French tourism minister in a tweet. There are still some restrictions in place but it means the remainder of the season looks set to go ahead. UPDATED
9th January 2022
Italy is now in the grip in a surge of cases with new measures coming into force on Monday 10th January. The Aosta Valley and Abruzzo head into the Yellow Zone, joining Piedmont Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino. The Trentino region may soon become an Orange Zone.
8th January 2022
That is the question from the UK ski agent, Absolutely Snow. We asked the company to provide some answers. There are plenty of hoops to jump through, but skiing and snowboarding remains entirely possible. NEW
8th January 2022
We have been in Zell am See, Saalbach and Kaprun. Experiencing skiing under the Covid rules and enjoying some fresh powder on empty New Year slopes. Has it been worth it? You bet!
6th January 2022
Another lockdown is not ruled out as the country’s Covid Crisis Coordination Commission meets. Masks are now needed outdoors & other measures are tightened. Ski resorts are watching developments closely with World Cup ski racing called off. NEW
5th January 2022
It has been widely welcomed by skiers, snowboarders and the wider snowsports industry. The risk of testing positive out in the Alps and being unable to come home until a period of self-isolation is completed has been removed. UPDATED
5th January 2022
Exact details have not been revealed but France has eased restrictions on ‘work travel’ to and from the UK with immediate effect. It follows earlier remarks from the French government spokesman. There is no easing of border rules for skiing and tourism. UPDATED
5th January 2022
It seems so judging by the briefings and media reports. The travel industry is urging for the change with renewed gusto, If so it will be very welcome by skiers, snowboarders and the UK snowsports industry. UPDATED
4th January 2022
When will France reopen its borders to UK skiers? Will Switzerland continue it open-door policy? What about Austria and Italy? What is the situation in the Pyrenees and Scandinavia? UPDATED
31st December 2021
The trade body, Snowsport Industries Great Britain, says a plea for additional financial support has been rejected.
28th December 2021
The gateway airport to ski resorts in the Austrian Tirol turned more than 100 travellers from the UK away at the weekend. They are reported to have failed to follow newly-imposed Covid-19 restrictions. UPDATED
28th December 2021
New rules are being introduced in response to the Omicron variant as the number of cases in France continues to rise and hits record levels. It does not bode well for British skiers wanting to head to France. UPDATED
28th December 2021
The US skier has the virus and misses the World Cup races in Lienz, Austria on Tuesday and Wednesday. She is the latest female alpine ski racer to be hit by the virus. UPDATED
24th December 2021
The re-introduction of the rule comes as Omicron continues to spread. High quality masks will need to be worn at certain venues at ski resorts including cinemas, theatres, sporting events and on public transport.
22nd December 2021
The UK and three other European countries have been added to Austria’s virus variant list. It comes into force on December 25th. The measures are less stringent than had been feared.
19th December 2021
PlanetSKI reports from Les3Vallees on the impact as some resorts may see 40% of their business wiped out. The French government has promised some compensation, but not for UK companies and likely not for many seasonal and part-time workers. NEW
19th December 2021
Austria introduces new entry rules for UK visitors as Switzerland continues to welcome British skiers. France & Germany have imposed travel restrictions & worries continue for further travel rules to the ski nations. We have indications that further border controls are coming. UPDATED
17th December 2021
There will not be closure of restaurants, bars and events, as had been forecast by some. Instead there are further restrictions mainly targeting the unvaccinated. Its intensive beds are more than 80% occupied.
17th December 2021
Unlike many other countries in Europe covid-19 cases are falling in Austria with restrictions easing. It follows a national lockdown, but there are growing concerns about the omicron variant as ski resorts open for Xmas. UPDATED
16th December 2021
People need ‘compelling reasons’ to travel with mandatory tests for departures and arrivals. It deals a heavy blow to those planning to ski in the French mountains over Christmas and the resorts waiting to welcome them. The key question is how long the rules will remain in place. UPDATED
16th December 2021
We have reaction from skiers, resorts, UK tour operators and local businesses in the French mountains that will be impacted. Some have described it as a ‘hammer blow’ with most angry and bewildered.
16th December 2021
It is a complex yet simple situation in reality out in the mountains. PlanetSKI has reporters in Les3Vallees and Les Arcs in the Paradiski area this final week of people from the UK being able to ski in France. NEW
16th December 2021
People need ‘compelling reasons’ to travel and there are mandatory tests for departures and arrivals. It deals a heavy blow to those planning to ski in the French mountains over Christmas and the resorts waiting to welcome them.UPDATED
14th December 2021
It comes as omicron cases grow in the UK with predictions of a sharp rise in new cases. The French government says it is looking at new measures and will reach a judgement ‘in the coming days.’ UPDATED
