Resort News

2nd October 2022

New Viewing Platform for Mont Fort in Verbier

Viewing platforms and walkways are all the rage in the Alps with many being constructed. They offer another activity out on the slopes and are perfect for the Instagram generation.

1st October 2022

PlanetSKI Has Some Half Price Tickets to The National Snow Show

We have managed to get our hands on 100 50% off tickets for the National Snow Show which is now just 2 weeks away – from 15th to 16th October at the NEC Birmingham.

1st October 2022

The Tirol Prepares for Winter

A handful of glaciers ski areas are already open and the region in Austria is looking forward to the coming ski season. We look at what’s on offer this autumn plus see what’s new in the Tirol for this winter.

29th September 2022

More Glacier Areas Open for Skiing & Snowboarding

It comes as fresh snow is continuing to fall with many resorts looking rather wintery. The autumn snow will make little difference for the ski season ahead, but has certainly helped the glacier ski areas. More open in Austria and Cervinia in Italy fires up some lifts. UPDATED

27th September 2022

Collapse of Sterling Set to Have Implications in Some Ski Countries for Next Winter

In some resorts prices will likely be higher next season as the pound continues to fall. It will be most sharply felt in US and Swiss resorts, but less so in Canada and much of the Alps. It comes as rising energy prices may raise the cost of lift tickets. UPDATED

26th September 2022

Glacier Ski Areas in Austria Are Opening

Hintertux and Soelden already have slopes open with others making final preparations after the temperatures have dropped and fresh snow has arrived. The winter of 2022/23 is around the corner with significant snow forecast for this week. UPDATED

22nd September 2022

Full Details of National Snow Show Unveiled

The UK’s only national ski & snowboard show is set to kick off in just over three weeks. It takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on October 15th and 16th. We have the full details of what’s on offer. UPDATED

20th September 2022

See What’s New in Morzine For the Coming Season

The French resort that is situated in the heart of the Portes du Soleil is a firm favourite with British skiers and snowboarders. Check out what is on offer for next season.

20th September 2022

Crystal Ski Heads to Bosnia & Herzegovina

The area offers budget ski breaks that are around £200 cheaper than other comparable resorts. TUI Airways is also launching the only non-stop flights from London Gatwick to Sarajevo International Airport as a new flight route for the ski season.

20th September 2022

Fire Destroys Swiss Mountain Restaurant

The Restaurant Botta at Glacier 3000 near Le Diablerets has been gutted by fire. See a video as firefighters battle the blaze. An investigation is underway. UPDATED

20th September 2022

Zermatt Re-Opens for Skiing and Snowboarding

The Swiss resort that is normally open year-round closed its glacier ski area this summer. It was a symbol of the impact of climate change. Val Senales in Italy has also re-opened with Soelden in Austria set to fire up some lifts on its glacier at the weekend. UPDATED

15th September 2022

Dachstein Glacier To Remain Shut This Season as Climate Change Takes its Toll

The warm summer temperatures have reduced the size of the Austrian glacier. The lifts are now unstable as the ice has melted and the permafrost has been damaged. Large crevasses have also opened up.

14th September 2022

What’s New in Verbier for Next Winter?

Verbier was voted the best ski resort in the world at the 2021 World Ski Awards. PlanetSKI has asked the Swiss resort to update us on its new offerings and developments for next season. NEW

13th September 2022

New Resorts + Saturday Morning Departure for Travel Ski Express

Val Thorens, Courchevel and La Rosiere are added to the ski packages by train to France with a daytime outward bound journey rather than a night one. There is growing interest in travelling by train to the Alps.

8th September 2022

High Energy Prices Threaten Ski Resorts Next Winter

With energy prices soaring there are concerns that some resorts may not fully open with implications for the local economies. In France resort officials have met the government with warnings that some resorts may not open. Across the Alps resorts are looking to reduce energy use and considering how to pay for it. UPDATED

31st August 2022

James Bond Snowboard Goes on Display at Colorado Snowsports Museum

It was the mid-1980s and snowboarding was taking off. Endorsement of the new sport came from none other than 007 himself – check out the video of Bond on a board.

29th August 2022

September Summer Action in the Tirol

There’s a classic car rally in Kitzbuhel and the Ischgl E-Bike World Cup. Summer in the mountains ain’t over yet. Not by a long way.

27th August 2022

NZ Ski Area Closes Due to Poor Snow with 130 Staff Laid Off…… UPDATED

Mount Ruapehu, on the North Island, has laid off around a third of its workers as many slopes are bare and some areas have had to close. Ski resorts on the South Island report good snow conditions.

25th August 2022

New Tunnel Creates New Black Ski Run in Glacier 3000

A new piste in the Swiss ski area with a height difference of 1,000m will connect the Cabane middle station with the Col du Pillon through a 265m long tunnel. It is claimed the run will be one of the steepest in the world.

25th August 2022

New Overnight Ski Train From Holland to Austria

The German tourism business TUI has introduced the TUI Ski Express in cooperation with GreenCityTrip. Next winter there is also an overnight train from Holland to the French Alps.

25th August 2022

Japan Ski Season Set To Go Ahead As Covid Travel Rules Eased

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.

24th August 2022

The National Snow Show Ups the Apres Ski

The UK’s only national ski & snowboard show is raising the apres ski bar with live DJ sets + mountain inspired food and drinks. Customer feedback from last year says people want a party vibe. PlanetSKI has some free tickets for readers. UPDATED

21st August 2022

Controversy as Courchevel Tourist Office Building Set to be Leased to Luxury Jewellery Shop

It has sparked a storm of protest with calls for the legality of the move to be examined and resignation demands. The plan has divided opinion in the up-market French ski resort.

10th August 2022

Another Glacier Resort in Europe Set to Close

The Fonna glacier resort in Norway is closing its summer season early on August 21st as conditions deteriorate. It had been the only place where summer skiing bore some semblance to normal conditions. NEW

6th August 2022

Three Ski Patrollers Honoured for Saving Man’s Life

The incident happened at Wild Mountain in Minnesota, USA last December. 58-year old Charlie Mehr had a heart attack as he was getting on a lift.

2nd August 2022

Canadian Ski Resort Threatened by Wildfire

Apex Mountain Resort is evacuated and its snow guns are turned on as the Keremeos Creek Fire spreads. We have an updated video from the resort as the fire grows. UPDATED

26th July 2022

Artificial Ski Slope Opens Near Ukranian City of Lviv

It claims to be the largest year-round artificial ski slope complex in the world and the facility is spread over 19,000 square metres.

26th July 2022

Great Salt Lake in Utah at Lowest Level Ever Recorded

The largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere has reached its lowest level since records began. The lake is claimed to have a significant impact on the quality of winter snow in Utah.

26th July 2022

Controversial Plans to Link Pitztal & Soelden Cancelled

It had been planned to join the two Austrian glacier areas in the Tirol. There has been much opposition from environmentalists and some locals. UPDATED

25th July 2022

Single Lift Pass for All Resorts in Andorra

The resorts of Pal and Arinsal are to be incorporated into the Grandvalira lift pass which covers all the other main ski areas in Andorra.

25th July 2022

Italian Resort Suspends Summer Skiing as Glacier Melts

Passo Stelvio is the latest summer ski resort to close as warm temperatures take their toll. Some question how many more years glacier skiing in Europe will be able to continue. The freezing level in Switzerland is currently over 5,000m – higher than any alpine peak. UPDATED

16th July 2022

Further Snow Falls Down Under

The ski seasons in Australia and New Zealand are well underway with a great start to winter and more snow is now falling. UPDATED

15th July 2022

Suicide Six becomes Saskadena Six

The US ski resort in Vermont changes its name as the original name is judged to be insensitive amid increased awareness of mental health.

9th July 2022

Skiing & Snowboarding Underway in South America

The main ski areas in Argentina and Chile are now open for their 2022 season. There have been some decent conditions so far and for some it’s the first time they have been open since 2019 as Covid-19 spread.

7th July 2022

Les2Alpes Ends Summer Glacier Skiing as Temperatures Soar

It is the latest resort to end its summer skiing operations. There are continued high temperatures and a lack of fresh snow after a modest winter for snowfall. It raises questions about how long summer glacier skiing can carry on in alpine resorts. UPDATED

1st July 2022

US Ski Resort of Suicide Six to Change its Name

The resort in Vermont believes the name impacts many people and says it ‘embraces the increasing awareness surrounding mental health’.

26th June 2022

Skiing & Snowboarding Re-Start in Sunshine Village for Canada Day

Some slopes are now open and they will hopefully stay open to Sunday July 3rd. Friday July 1st is Canada Day. The resort hasn’t opened at this time of year for over three decades. UPDATED

17th June 2022

Winter Tourism Rebounds in the Tirol in Austria After Troubled Times

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

15th June 2022

Now it’s the Turn of New Zealand as More Snow Falls

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

9th June 2022

Another Alpine Glacier Resort Calls Off Summer Skiing

The Molltaler glacier in Austria has announced it will not open this year. Earlier this month Val d’Isere said its glacier will remain shut.

8th June 2022

More Ski Resorts in Australia Open as New Zealand Also Sees Snow

Resorts in Australia re open with record breaking falls of snow. In New Zealand some snow is now falling as its resorts prepare for the start of the ski season. The last two seasons have been severely disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions and hopes are high for this winter. UPDATED

6th June 2022

Direct Ski Flight to Salt Lake City Re-introduced for Next Winter

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.

2nd June 2022

Two US Ski Areas Close After Long Season

Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Killington in Vermont closed on Sunday June 5th. For Killington it marks the latest time skiing has been on offer for 25-years at the east coast resort. UPDATED

25th May 2022

Lake Tahoe Clean Up Ends

The 72-mile shoreline of the Californian lake has been cleaned in a project that started in May 2021. Lamposts, phones and engagements rings were found.

22nd May 2022

Les2Alpes Is Open for Glacier Skiing & Snowboarding

The French resort fired up some lifts on its glacier last weekend. It’s the first time the resort has opened so early for summer skiing and snowboarding. So, what is summer glacier skiing & snowboarding like?

22nd May 2022

Skiing & Snowboarding in The USA Over Memorial Day Weekend

A handful of ski resorts will be open this weekend for Memorial Day celebrations. Some have seen some fresh snow and one has said it will be open into June. Check out the latetest… UPDATED

19th May 2022

Sunshine Slush Cup is Back!

Many resorts have them but Sunshine in Alberta, Canada was one of the first. It’s three years since the last one took place due to Covid-19 & this season it ran for the 92nd time. UPDATED

17th May 2022

Mammoth Mountain Open Into June

Skiing and snowboarding is going to carry on in the US resort until at least June 5th as good late season conditions continue. A few other resorts in North America are hoping to remain open for the next few weeks. UPDATED

15th May 2022

Record Numbers of Skier Visits in USA

The bounce back from the pandemic was better than hoped for and came during a poor season for snowfall. Resorts claim it bodes well for the future, despite some concerns.

9th May 2022

It’s a Wrap! PlanetSKI Ends the Season of 2021/22 in Val Thorens

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.

7th May 2022

Race Day in Val Thorens As It Closes for the Season

PlanetSKI was in the French resort at the weekend for its end of season party – La Grand Derniere. We donned our race bib, waxed up the skis and sharpened our edges for a race that goes on piste and off piste. UPDATED

6th May 2022

Three Ski Areas in Colorado Remain Open

More snow is falling in Colorado and one resort claims it now has the best conditions of the season. Snow is also falling across the globe in Australia as resorts prepare to open next month. UPDATED

5th May 2022

PlanetSKI Set for its Final Ski of the Season

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

Kings of Leon Play Ischgl Closing Concert

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

30th April 2022

Skiing in Norway: PlanetSKI reports from Narvik, inside the Arctic Circle

We expected some fabulous skiing, but the area has far more to offer than simply sliding around on snow. In our latest adventures we’re climbing aboard the Arctic Train to Riksgransen, snow mobiling in Sweden & visiting the fascinating Polar Park.

28th April 2022

International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism Published

It looks at the winter of 2020/21 – a ski season we’d all rather forget with the impact of Covid-19. The 2022 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism has just been unveiled during the opening conference of Mountain Planet International Exhibition in Grenoble.

28th April 2022

US Resort Uses Fully Electric Piste Basher

Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico is thought to be the first North American ski resort to use a fully-electric snow grooming machine. Other resorts are looking with interest with some claiming hydrogen power is the future.

26th April 2022

PlanetSKI Reports from Narvik – One of the Most Northerly Resorts in Europe, Deep in the Arctic Circle

We expected some fabulous skiing and stunning scenery, but the area in Norway has far more to offer than simply sliding around on snow. Arctic train rides, snowmobiling, historical WW2 sites, meeting polar animals and much more. It is a unique winter experience.

23rd April 2022

A Last Blast in Les2Alpes

It’s a final spring fling on the slopes for PlanetSKI’s Chief Reporter. A couple of days in the resort that has the highest skiing in France seems as good a place as any to end the season. Even better if there’s some powder skiing to be had.

23rd April 2022