General News

The specialist operator has produced what it calls an ‘Easy Guide’ to help its guests steer a path through the rules while taking a ski holiday in France.

The end of the national lockdown is welcome news for skiers, snowboarders and the ski industry.  However cases remain high & some restrictions will be in place, with the nine provinces deciding some of their own rules in what will be a complex situation. UPDATED

Travellers heading to the UK will now have to take a Covid test before departure.  It’s thrown things into further chaos with the ban being described as a ‘hammer blow’ for travel. Some skiers will be prepared to accept the risks & point out it that testing was required for travel last summer. UPDATED

In an about turn the Swiss authorities have altered some of the measures announced last week that threw the start of winter into chaos and brought travel misery for many. It has been welcomed by the Swiss ski industry, with stricter testing ordered. UPDATED

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

UK operators have cancelled holidays in December after a mandatory 10-day quarantine was introduced alongside a testing requirement. Ski events have been cancelled.
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The UK government has altered its advice after conversations with Swiss authorities which means skiers can use Geneva airport and others to access ski resorts in France and Italy. Preventing people from the UK using Geneva would have had a huge impact on the French ski industry. UPDATED

Switzerland has ordered all arrivals from the UK into 10-days quarantine due to the omicron variant. Swiss resorts are affected, but many people also fly into Geneva airport to access ski resorts in France. UPDATED

It has added the UK to its list of countries where it decided there is a variant of concern. It will have an have an impact on the start of the ski season that is getting underway. There are question marks over people flying into Geneva to access ski resorts in France. UPDATED

It comes as cases continue to soar in both countries and the Omicron variant is introduced into the equation. Concerns are rising for the approaching ski season in Switzerland and elsewhere. UPDATED

UK 12-15 years old cannot get double vaccinated, but many ski nations need them to be in order for them to get a health pass. The pass gives them access to access the ski lifts and other resort facilities. Otherwise it is multiple testing in some countries or perhaps not being able to use lifts at all in others.

From December 6th unvaccinated people will be banned from ski lifts and from taking part in a range of leisure activities. A negative test will not be enough for entry to restaurants, cinemas and other venues. NEW

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 resort’s 5-month season started last weekend and PlanetSKI was there to enjoy it. We look back at the weekend and forward to the season ahead in the highest resort in the Alps.

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.

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

The highest resort in the Alps kicked off its season at the weekend. The French resort plans to be open until the beginning of May. PlanetSKI is in the resort for its opening – we’re finally back on the slopes and making some turns. UPDATED

The UK’s largest ski operator has created a special  information hub to help people navigate through all the details about getting to the slopes with all the various Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Both companies specialise in short breaks to the mountains and will be run by a parent company Ski Elements Ltd.

Cases are surging in the Alpine nation with health services coming under growing pressures. It comes as ski resorts open and others are preparing for the approaching season. UPDATED

Some countries, including Austria and Switzerland, require people to have had their second jab within a set time frame. The ommission of the booster will therefore affect some winter travel unless changes are made. NEW

With the US borders now open to travellers from Europe latest figure show travellers from the UK are most keen to visit. It is hoped by ski resorts that this transfers to winter tourism.

A health pass will not be needed to use ski lifts, though masks will need to be worn. President Macron has announced some further details about the criteria for the ‘pass sanitaire’ that will be needed in the resorts next winter. UPDATED

The alpine nation is battling a surge in cases as its ski resorts begin to open. Unvaccinated people will need to follow further constraints as the government implements Level 4 restrictions. UPDATED

At a time when chalets are in short supply as some UK operators have cut them back due to employment laws and Brexit, one operator is adding to its portfolio. And throwing in a few free airport transfers. NEW

One scenario sees UK Covid cases remaining stubbornly high and perhaps further nations restricting travel.  Another sees our cases tumbling as we enter a post-pandemic world. Whatever the outcome the next month will have a crucial impact on the season ahead. UPDATED

The White House has outlined new rules for foreign travellers to the US that will affect those heading to ski in the USA this winter. Flight restrictions are lifted on November 8th. NEW

People returning to England now need to take lateral flow test instead of the more expensive PCR test. However with surging Covid-19 cases in the UK there are worries that some European nations may not welcome people from the UK with a huge impact on the ski season. UPDATED

The resort in the Portes du Soleil is looking ahead to winter. It has been working hard to ensure that guests can enjoy the resort’s facilities safely and hassle-free, while experiencing a warm and heartfelt French Alpine welcome.

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

The Travelski Express is set to roll with inclusive ski holidays to six resorts in the French Alps. Perhaps now is the time to take a ski holiday by train.

It is the growing worry as cases in the UK continue to rise. Morocco has banned flights to and from the UK and others with alpine countries watching our rising cases closely. Lateral flow tests are now needed for returning travellers, with the UK’s travel testing regime is set to stay in place into the New Year. UPDATED

The Austrian resort is aiming to be one of the safest resorts in the Alps in a post-pandemic ski world.

61% of the population are fully vaccinated with a significant number of people declining a vaccine. It has the lowest take up of the main skiing nations with some worries growing for winter.

It is the move the US ski resorts have been waiting for and opens up the USA for international skiers and snowboarders this winter. UPDATED

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.

That’s the claim from the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report by the UK’s largest ski operator, Crystal Ski Holidays. PlanetSKI has been given a peak of it ahead of the main annual report in December. UPDATED

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 government says it hopes PCR tests will not be needed by the end of the October half term break. The UK traffic light system has already gone. It means restrictions will largely be eased for vaccinated people wanting to take a mountain break. UPDATED

The UK’s largest ski tour operator has a simple message for next winter – REMEMBER THE FEELING: LET’S GET BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS. Who are we to disagree?

The announcement has been made by the government and other measures will be considered in the coming weeks. The government declared some weeks ago that the resorts would open this winter & some start later this month.

The expansion will support self-employed ski instructors in Scotland as working legislation is affected by Brexit. Many ski instructor jobs in Europe have now gone for British instructors as the free movement of labour ends.

The optimism found after the government announced an easing of the travel rules in time for winter is continuing. Is it justified? Some operators advise people to book now as supply is limited. Are they right? UPDATED

Covid-19 and Brexit have turned traditional chalet holidays upside down. So Ski France has come up with a new concept, Contactless Catered Chalets, ready for the 2021/22 ski season.