General News

Absolutely Snow is turning its attention to next season as this one draws to a close.  It has four special offers including securing a holiday for 2022/23 for just £1.

The ski operator allChalets reports a growing interest in skiing as travel rules and local Covid-19 restrictions ease. It also claims the Beijing Winter Olympics has provided a boost. It has been crunching the numbers.

Maison Sport, the independent ski and snowboard instructor provider, has expanded its service to offer the full range of disability disciplines for skiers & snowboarders of all needs.

An investigation is underway after a 29-year old man from England died on Sunday morning in the French resort. Few details have been released.

A new hotel in Tignes, Voulez Vous, has offers in place for the Easter holidays with some complimentary upgrades thrown in.

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

Three ski tourers died and another was injured last Friday in an avalanche in the Oetscher area in Lower Austria. It’s emerged that the group included members of mountain rescue and alpine police. UPDATED

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.

Police Scotland is appealing to hill users and mountaineers to plan ahead and take extra care in the coming weeks. The deaths have occurred in the past two weeks. NEW

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Prices have fallen in two thirds of the ski areas surveyed for the latest Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report.  So, which resorts offer best value?

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. 

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

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.

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

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

It was the ambitious target the country sought to achieve before the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.  It claims it’s done it. Some are sceptical about Chinese claims.

Canada is open for skiing and, if you’re up for the trip of a lifetime, there is a whole lot on offer this winter with the adventure ski specialist Mabey Ski.

A French man in his 40’s was arrested shortly after the accident in Flaine and has been has been in custody since Saturday in Bonnevile. There are growing concerns about collisions on the slopes and people out of control. UPDATED

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.

The principality in the Pyrenees is a great alternative to the Alps for your next winter holiday according to the UK tour operator.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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