16th January 2021
Hats off to Chamonix!
Why? Because the resort tells it like it is with accurate and informative news. Er, not something we always receive from some PR people in ski resorts and certainly not in these dreadfull pandemic times. NEW
16th January 2021
Why? Because the resort tells it like it is with accurate and informative news. Er, not something we always receive from some PR people in ski resorts and certainly not in these dreadfull pandemic times. NEW
15th January 2021
Tighter new restrictions come into force next week including the closing of non-essential shops but ski lifts continue to turn. Covid-19 cases in Switzerland are still high, but stabilising.
9th January 2021
Canada’s second-most populous province is to have a 4-week lockdown, including a strict curfew that will affect night skiing. Quebec contains the ski resorts of Le Massif, Mont St Anne and Stoneham.
6th January 2021
The French Alps resort that’s a favourite with the British is reporting a busy holiday period despite the closure of ski lifts and a lack of visitors from the UK.
4th January 2021
Nevis Range cancelled a while back before even opening, then Cairngorm closed just as it opened. Now others are being order to close to stop the spread of Covid-19. NEW
4th January 2021
It was stated in December as Xmas and New Year restrictions were put in place that the lifts would open on January 7th – that’s today. The government is making an announcement later and it is expected they will remain shut. UPDATED
4th January 2021
It opened up some ski areas on Saturday for local residents only and hopes to allow international visitors this weekend. UPDATED
31st December 2020
That is the date that was announced by President Macron as he ordered the lifts to shut. Some doubts remain, but there are signs of hope. Whether UK skiers can get there is another matter altogether as Covid-19 coincides with Brexit. UPDATED
30th December 2020
Val Thorens is turning up the dials for a virtual one from the slopes. It normally hosts a huge celebration with 10,000 in the resort. It is not to be this year, so it’s doing its best. NEW
28th December 2020
An Italian company has unveiled a fully electric piste basher + a hydrogen powered groomer. A glimpse into a more environmentally friendly future?
25th December 2020
Ski resorts in Austria have opened for local skiers only, but the resort in the Tirol that was an early spreader of Covid-19 is shut until towards the end of next month.
25th December 2020
They opened on Xmas Eve but now come under tighter restrictions. Outdoor exercise is allowed, though in resort most of the facilities remain closed. UPDATED
22nd December 2020
The Scottish resort shuts at the close of play on Xmas Eve following new rules announced by the First Minister. Glencoe & the Lecht say they will remain open as Scotland goes into Level 4 restrictions from Boxing Day.
20th December 2020
Thinking about heading to the Tirol in Austria once conditions allow? Well, how about avoiding the well-known resorts and going for somewhere less-crowded. Somewhere you have probably never heard of. Until now…
18th December 2020
9 out the 26 cantons have decided to close their ski areas – the well-known resort of Andermatt will see some of its slopes shut. The rest are smaller resorts. The majority of ski resorts in Switzerland remain open. The Federal Government has said they may have to close if the R-rate goes above 1.2. New restrictions have been announced. UPDATED
17th December 2020
The Saslong lift company operates part of the slopes in Val Gardena and it has said it will not open due to the chaos and confusion of Covid-19 restrictions. It highlights the extra pressure put on hospitals if ski areas open and criticises the handling of the pandemic by the regional and national authorities.
14th December 2020
The Scottish snowsports season is here – just. But, for the time being at least, only skiers and snowboarders in Scotland will be allowed on the slopes, and the weather this weekend has postponed things. UPDATED
13th December 2020
The actor founded Sundance Mountain Resort more than 50 years ago. It offers a unique mix of skiing balanced with art and nature and is a firm favourite of PlanetSKI. UPDATED
11th December 2020
The Council of State made its decision as the government says lifts may open on January 7th if conditions allow. Lifts will not be turning in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Jura or the Massif Central over Xmas. Resorts are set to open on January 7th but strict criteria will need to be met and it remains uncertain. UPDATED
10th December 2020
The Catalan ski areas in the Pyrenees are opening. Last week’s planned openings were delayed. Some smaller ski areas in Spain have fired up their lifts with skiing underway for locals only. UPDATED
8th December 2020
We could all be looking to ski closer to home this winter. One ski area in England has already had unprecedented demand and is turning skiers and snowboarders away.
6th December 2020
Photos have been posted on social media showing people apparently not social distancing. The resort has now put barriers in place, but questions remain as other resorts are set to open. Switzerland has decided to allow all its resorts to open despite many European countries keeping them shut.
4th December 2020
The mega US-based ski company says it’s made big advances towards its commitment to reaching a zero net carbon footprint by 2030.
2nd December 2020
It is keeping the ski resorts open as fellow alpine nations close theirs and try to prevent their citizens from visiting the Swiss Alps. If there is a serious outbreak or hospitals become overrun there could be long-term consequences.
27th November 2020
A fire severely destroyed the iconic lift in Argentiere in September 2018. A new project is rising from the ashes.
16th November 2020
The US is home to an abundance of amazing ski resorts. But which US ski resort is the best? Plus we look across the Pond as resorts open for winter.
16th November 2020
If any of us manage to get to the Alps this winter, what can we do after a day on the slopes when we can’t indulge in traditional apres?
13th November 2020
The Nevis Range is to stop the sale of season passes and will not be opening the resort at the start of the season. It blames Covid-19 with growing uncertainty over restrictions. Others are reviewing their positions with Glencoe saying it will open as planned in December.
12th November 2020
Lift pass holders in North America can clock up their skier days this winter and the company will plant 22,500 trees in the names of those with the most skier days in each of its resorts.
11th November 2020
It’s beginning to look a lot like winter is on its way in the USA. More resorts in Colorado have opened this week and the first ski area to open in California fired up some lifts on Friday. UPDATED
9th November 2020
It has been crowned the best ski resort in the Alps. Here at PlanetSKI we can only agree. It remains our personal favourite for a variety of reasons.
5th November 2020
The Aosta Valley, Piedmont and Lombardy have been declared “Red Zones”. People can only leave their homes for essential reasons and skiing is not one of them. Covid-19 is surging in many parts of Italy as winter approaches.
3rd November 2020
Engineering works designed to get the mountain railway at the Scottish ski area up and running for next winter are starting this week.
28th October 2020
The glacier ski resorts of Tignes and Les2Alpes are closing at the end of today. Val Thorens and Val d’Isere have cancelled their openings in late November. We have all the news and latest reaction.
28th October 2020
Ski areas often claim to have something for everyone but the largest linked ski area in the world really does. Here’s what to expect in Les3Vallees resorts in the Savoie region of the French Alps this ski season.
28th October 2020
Normally four resorts are able to offer skiing and snowboarding at this time of year. After crowded scenes in Cervinia the national government ordered them to close except to racers and professional skiers. Some though claim autonomous powers.
25th October 2020
The Italian resort opened for autumn skiing on Saturday 24th October. Then on Sunday it announced it was closing temporarily after an Emergency Decree from the Italian government. Some claim crowded scenes at the resort are to blame. UPDATED
25th October 2020
Wolf Creek is first ski resort out of the blocks in Colorado after recent heavy snow. Last weekend Mt Norquay in Canada opened and now Lake Louise is about to fire up its lifts. The season is underway in North America.
22nd October 2020
The Italian glacier resort in the Aosta Valley is the latest to fire up its lifts for autumn. Conditions are good with full Covid-19 restrictions in place. NEW
19th October 2020
Three resorts in Les3Vallees in the French Alps will this winter have access to a high-powered drone that has already proved its worth in mountain rescues.
17th October 2020
Located in the heart of the beautiful French Alps, Isère is France’s third biggest mountain destination. So, what’s on offer?
17th October 2020
The French resort in the heart of the mighty Portes du Soleil that straddles France and Switzerland has some new initiatives for this coming season. With full Covid-19 precautions in place.
14th October 2020
The largest lift-connected ski area in the world is bracing itself for a significant drop in the number of skiers and snowboarders.
9th October 2020
The Scottish ski area near Aviemore is to get more than £20 million to improve the snowsports centre. Most of it will go on repairing the troubled funicular mountain railway.
9th October 2020
The huge Austrian ski region, which has some of the most famous resorts in Europe, has announced its plans to try to ensure skiers and snowboarders stay safe this coming season.
27th September 2020
The Sea-to-Sky gondola at the Canadian resort of Squamish has had its cables deliberately cut causing gondolas to plunge to the ground. It’s put the lift out of action as winter approaches. It was vandalised in the same way last year.
24th September 2020
The French resort is the latest to reveal its policies and comes after a busy summer season with measures taken and lessons learnt. So, what will next winter look like?
23rd September 2020
The VSV consumer association in Austria has launched a class action lawsuit. 6,000 skiers and snowboarders have contacted VSV believing to have caught Covid-19 in a ski resort. UPDATED
20th September 2020
The resort of St Anton is the main one in the Arlberg and it saw a significant outbreak. PlanetSKI was in the resort as it shut back in March and we report on how the lifts will operate next winter.
13th September 2020
Stubai, Pitztal and Kaunertal in the Tirol plan to fire up their first lifts by the end of September. Then its Ruka and Levi in Finland. It will be a somewhat different experience with Covid-19 restrictions. NEW
13th September 2020
Details of the new black run have been unveiled and it seems PlanetSKI readers are itching to give it a go and test their ability. Are you up for it?
5th September 2020
We’ve heard from the mighty Vail Resorts, looked at other resorts in the Alps & kept across developments in the southern hemisphere over summer. But what about closer to home? Yad Moss in the Pennines to be precise.
2nd September 2020
One of the original North American ski areas, RED Mountain in British Columbia, is to become part of Ikon, the multi-resort season pass from this winter.
26th August 2020
The California ski resort is to drop the ‘derogatory and offensive’ name following extensive research and consultation with Native American Groups.
29th July 2020
So says the boss of the Aspen Skiing Co, Mike Kaplan. He’s been outlining plans for the new ski season and what will change thanks to Covid-19.
19th July 2020
The resort of Cerro Catedral opened last week amid covid-19 restrictions. Another man was injured in the accident. It was the only resort open in South America and we have been following conditions. The resort remains closed. UPDATED
10th July 2020
Falls Creek and Mt Hotham in Victoria have closed after local restrictions have been put in place and the border with the neighbouring state of New South Wales is shut. Could similar openings and closures happen in Europe next winter?
29th June 2020
With the main peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe behind us, several resorts are busy building new lifts and improving others ready for winter.
22nd June 2020
Thredbo and Mt Buller were first out of the blocks and Perisher is now open. Some have delayed opening as there is not enough snow. It will though be a far from normal season with Covid-19 restrictions in place. UPDATED
18th June 2020
The ski resort near Fort William is getting ready open for summer activities next month as the Scottish Government prepares to ease lockdown restrictions. However, some jobs are to go.