24th January 2021
One died in a huge avalanche Verbier and the other had a fatal fall in Torgon in the Portes du Soleil. It brings the death toll on the slopes to 4 in the Verbier area alone in the past week and 11 in Switzerland in the past 11 days. The conditions off piste are described as some of the most dangerous in recent years. UPDATED
20th January 2021
Xavier de Le Rue is an Olympian and a Freeride World Tour winner, but this week he was another rider searching desperately for a friend under the snow. His friend was one of 8 people that died in Switzerland in a tragic 4-day period. The authorities continue to urge extreme caution.
20th January 2021
A study involving more than 50 winter sports experts has concluded that digital technology is set for a bigger role in the ski industry, thanks to Covid-19. But many don’t expect a return to pre-pandemic levels of skiing until 2023.
19th January 2021
It was the highest museum in Europe and perhaps the best motorcycle collection in the world. It housed 100s of historic vintage bikes in Hochgurgl in the Tirol. UPDATED
18th January 2021
A 29-year old man from Ireland has died. It follows the death of 38-year old Englishman. . Eight people have died in four days In Switzerland – all in different accidents. There have been fatal avalanches in France too.
16th January 2021
He is the latest in a string of separate avalanche deaths across Switzerland after recent snow. Seven people have died in four days. 10 people were caught in the latest accident. A man died in Tignes in France on Saturday and it follows a fatality in Courchevel earlier last week. Extreme caution is urged in many parts of the Alps. UPDATED
14th January 2021
More and more skiers are clipping into long, skinny skis to get their snow fix. PlanetSKI has been talking to a Nordic skiing instructor in the French Alps about the surge in demand for cross country lessons as the lifts remain closed.
8th January 2021
The public is not allowed to gather to watch the races but that doesn’t mean there can’t be a crowd. A crowd of snowmen and snowwomen. By the course, in the grandstand area and around town.
8th January 2021
It is a further blow to travel whether from ski nations or anywhere else. It comes as the South African variant is circulating. It is seen as a necessary measure to beat coronavirus with much international travel at a halt.
3rd January 2021
Regular readers will have noticed the web site was down over the weekend. Why? We are pleased to say things are getting back to normal service.
1st January 2021
The government has introduced new restrictions as cases continue to rise. It is a scene that will likely be played out across ski resorts in Europe this winter as cases fall and rise, with resorts opening and closing. The main resort of Jasna has seen growing numbers from the UK in recent years.
1st January 2021
The Scandinavian country lifts its ban at the weekend, but most other ski nations are keeping their bans in place. We look at the situation in the alpine nations, though lockdown restrictions mean overseas travel is not allowed for most people in the UK.
24th December 2020
Two-time Olympic cross-country skiing champion Petter Northug is as famous in his country as David Beckham is in the UK. He drove at speeds of 125mph in his Jaguar and filmed the episode on his phone.
15th December 2020
One fraudster has been posing as a ski chalet owner, offering his property to rent at a bargain price over Christmas due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The chalet is advertised on a website under a false name.
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
12th December 2020
Whether there is a deal between the UK and the EU, or whether there isn’t, travel and working will look very different in three weeks. The free movement of labour is ending and for many UK nationals working in the mountains will be a thing of the past.
10th December 2020
The organisation Domaines Skiables de France has taken its case to the courts this week. Observers believe it will have little chance of success. NEW
10th December 2020
There’s alpine skiing, ski cross and cross-country. Check out who’s in action, and where, in snowsport competitions in Europe over the coming days.
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
9th December 2020
The ski tour operator has been going for 23 years. It collapsed into administration on Tuesday, blaming Covid-19 and a lack of government support. But the owner has bought the brand and hopes to continue trading. He’s been speaking to PlanetSKI. UPDATED
9th December 2020
It was carrying out a training rescue operation in poor weather in the Savoie area. A pilot survived the accident. 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.
7th December 2020
Most have closed but some are open after a hectic week of decision making and high drama. Which are open, what are the restrictions and when might we see the others opening?
1st December 2020
– Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund Approaches $3m Target
– Avalanche Danger in USA as 3 die in Colorado
– Sanctions on Russians Competing at Beijing 2022
– Val Thorens Ski Cross World Cup Called off Due to Strong Winds …UPDATED
24th November 2020
Thousands of ski workers who thought they would be able to work in the EU after the Brexit transition period ends on 31st December are being told that may not now be the case.
10th November 2020
Inghams, Ski Total, Esprit and Flexiski have announced they will not be running any ski trips this year, including over the Christmas period. The UK’s largest operator, Crystal Ski, says it still plans to operate in December.
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.
3rd November 2020
A decision on whether the Canadian city should bid to hold the Games 20 years after it last did so has been delayed until next March. UPDATED
1st November 2020
– GB Cross Country Skiers Have Best Ever Start to Season
– British Woman Missing in the Pyrenees
– Public to Choose Logo for 2026 Winter Olympics
– Fancy Some Free Family Skis? ….UPDATED
27th October 2020
The latest storm in the Alps has seen up to 50cm in places. It’s coming down in the Pyrenees and over in North America too as resorts open. UPDATED
22nd October 2020
A drive to get more children interested in skiing and snowboarding is taking place this autumn with two new programmes about to get under way.
22nd October 2020
It takes place in a year’s time at the NEC in Birmingham and promises to be quite an experience. Will it be able to succeed where others have failed?
20th October 2020
It will include overseas COVID-19 testing costs, repatriation if medically required, self-isolation costs and new return flights home.
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 Fischer ski factory in the Ukraine has been severely damaged in a blaze. Its cause is unknown and an investigation is continuing.
13th October 2020
Two snowboarders who handed over their GoPro footage of an avalanche to the authorities could have to pay up to $168,000 in damages after being accused of triggering the slide.
10th October 2020
The former Olympic skier has been Secretary General of the International Ski Federation for two decades. She is out in a ruthless manner with immediate effect. UPDATED
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.
1st October 2020
– Snow Helps Extinguish Wildfires
– Autumn Colours in the Mountains
– Tree hugging and ice floating in France this winter
– Russia Accused of Hack Attack on 2018 Winter Olympics.. UPDATED
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.
22nd September 2020
The only direct rail service to the French Alps is “simply not feasible” for this winter, the company says in response to an open letter sent by 160 ski businesses campaigning for its return.
18th September 2020
The two ski jumping hills to be used at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games are nearing completion and will be used for two World Cup events in February.
8th September 2020
The ski resort in California has been forced to shut down its summer operations as a massive wildfire burns out of control nearby.
3rd September 2020
The Austrian, who was the son of the founder of the Fischer Ski brand, died at the end of August. The company and the International Ski Federation pay tribute to the ‘visionary’.
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.
1st September 2020
– Switzerland Rejects Proposal to End Free Movement
– Chemmy Alcott to be lead presenter on Ski Sunday
– Suicide-Prevention Training for US Ski & Snowboard
– Call for Openness as Cairngorm Decision Nears…UPDATED
29th August 2020
Anyone entering the UK from Switzerland now has to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. PlanetSKI was in the country as the quarantine was announced and we gauged the reaction & impact before leaving ahead of the deadline.
27th August 2020
It is the latest alpine country where people need to isolate for 14-days on return to the UK . Austria and France are already on the list, plus all the countries in the Pyrenees. PlanetSKI reports from Switzerland. UPDATED
26th August 2020
The California ski resort is to drop the ‘derogatory and offensive’ name following extensive research and consultation with Native American Groups.
20th August 2020
It is no great surprise but the racing in Canada and the USA in November and December has been called off. Other races in Europe remain under threat.
20th August 2020
It’s been a month since the news broke that Eurostar would not be operating the direct ski train from London to the French Alps next winter. So what’s happening?
20th August 2020
Homes and hotels were evacuated earlier this month over fears that a massive ice block could fall from a Mont Blanc glacier. The threat has now been lifted.
17th August 2020
The retired skier Petter Northug is one of Norway’s most famous athletes with multiple World and Olympic titles to his name. The drugs were found after he was stopped for speeding and police searched his home.
14th August 2020
– Self-Drive holidays to Tignes, Arc 1950, Les Menuires, Val Thorens & Tignes with Erna Low
– 3 ★ Hotel Obermair, Mayrhofen from £499pp with Crystal Ski
– 4 ★ Hotel Lion, Bansko from £449pp with Crystal Ski
– 3 ★ Hotel Miravalle, Sauze d’Oulx from £495pp with Crystal Ski
– Early Bird deals from Ski Solutions
– Half Term in Norway
We update this page frequently so keep checking back for new offers. NEW & ROLLING
10th August 2020
Good weather and the attraction of a staycation has brought thousands of people to the mountains of Scotland this summer but they’re not all following the rules.
9th August 2020
A former soldier who lost both of his legs in Iraq has become the first above-the-knee double amputee to reach the summit.
1st August 2020
– $1.4M Remote Control Avalanche System for Colorado Highway
– Detecting avalanche victims under 5 metres of snow
– Drones to replace ski lifts?
– Further Dramatic Loss of Ice in Greenland …. UPDATED
30th July 2020
It will take place at the NEC in Birmingham in October 2021. It comes as The Telegraph has axed its show in London. PlanetSKI looks at what may be on offer and examines its chance of success. UPDATED
29th July 2020
The Snow Centre just outside London and the Snowdome at Tamworth were to open their doors for the first time since March this Saturday, 1st August. Government restrictions have put things on ice. UPDATED
