General News

The French government has announced that being double jabbed is not enough. The new measure applies to all people from non-EU countries. UPDATED

You may love it or you may loathe it, whatever your view Black Friday is upon us. And there are some rather good ski and snowboard deals out there. UPDATED

The Austria Province which is home to some of the major ski resorts in Austria has provided PlanetSKI with the answers to some of its Frequently Asked Questions to keep people informed. NEW

The 250 French ski areas now have a roadmap for opening and the measures needed. Much is known already but this is final confirmation. Resorts in France are already starting to open over the next few weeks. However cases are rising sharply and further measures are expected shortly. UPDATED

Teton Gravity Research Releases ‘In Pursuit of Soul’ featuring Indy Resorts. PlanetSKI has visited a few of them.

People returning to England will now need to take a lateral flow test rather than a PCR test. It follows the ending of the traffic light system and has given a further boost to people booking a ski holiday.

The International Ski Federation has had just four presidents in its 97-year history. That is about to change. Also more women will need to be on the ruling council.

12-year-old Louis Watkiss was seriously injured in an accident at the end of last month. The slope has reopened after an investigation was carried out.

The indoor ski centre in Staffordshire cannot resume full operations following orders from the Health & Safety Executive. The child who died has been named as Louis Watkiss from Sutton Coldfield. Investigations are continuing. UPDATED

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee has said that all athletes competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics must be vaccinated against Covid-19. NEW

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Victoria with Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Falls Creek all feeling its force.  It was felt as far away as New South Wales where the country’s other resorts are located.

This week Switzerland increased its restriction as Covid-19 continues to surge and there are growing fears for next winter with some tighter rules. UPDATED

It will incorporate the business that operates in British Columbia, Canada into CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures.

The local council has decided to end an agreement with the developer. There were plans to turn the derelict slope and area into a major sport and leisure destination.

27-year old Catrin Pugh suffered 96% burns and was given a one in 1,000 chance of survival after the crash in 2013 descending from Alpe d’Huez.

The 68-year old Scottish mountaineer, Rick Allen, was attempting to open a new route on the southern face of K2. UPDATED

Mike Wiegele developed heliskiing in British Columbia in Canada in the 1970s and a whole new area of adventure skiing spread across the remote mountains of the world. He was 82. PlanetSKI looks back at his life and his legacy. UPDATED

The partner of Australian snowboarder Alex Pullin has announced she is pregnant after retrieving his sperm when he died a year ago.

It was due to have taken place this October but uncertainties over travel restrictions and Covid-19 rules have led the organisers to put it back. A snowsports party will take place this November instead.

SnowDome, the snow centre in Tamworth, is joining forces with The National Snow Show to sponsor an ‘epic’ indoor slope and offer coaching to visitors to the show.

In the latest accident two Italian skiers have died off piste in the Mont Blanc Massif in France.  Two others died last week in the same area. Caution is urged by the authorities after fresh spring snow.

It happened on Sunday near the town of Stresa in Piedmont near Lake Maggiora. 2 children survived. An investigation is underway. UPDATED

The coach driver who died saving the lives of 51 people returning to the UK from the French ski resort of Alpe d’Huez, has been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

The British Association of Snowsport Instructors says Britons will not be allowed to take the European speed test needed for the top level of qualification required to work in the EU.

-Victoria in Australia Goes into Lockdown as Ski Season Approaches
-Swiss Fighter Jet Crashes in the Alps
-Austria Bans Direct Flights from the UK
-Crystal Ski Signs Up for London Ski & Snowboard Festival… UPDATED

It’s been a deadly winter season, with significantly more people killed than the average figure in the last 20-year period.  The majority of victims were off-piste skiers or snowboarders.