General News

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.

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.

It will come as a relief to the US ski industry and opens up the prospect of skiing next winter. We have reaction from ski areas in the USA. Canada has already lifted its restrictions with double vaccinated people allowed in without quarantine. UPDATED

It is the result of a country wide policy as Italy becomes the first European country to make it compulsory for all workers to have a Covid ‘green pass’. Cases remain low and stable, but the authorities have decide to be on the side of caution.

Ski companies report a sharp rise in bookings following the government announcement that PCR Tests and Traffic Light System will be axed. New rules come into force in October.
UPDATED

Court proceedings are beginning in Vienna in a civil case against the Austrian government over its alleged mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak at the ski resort of Ischgl in March 2020. It is seen as a test case for many other cases. UPDATED

The resorts in Victoria were allowed to open to locals only earlier this month, now the lifts are firing up in New South Wales. NEW

Cases are rising with the number of people in intensive care growing, though the figures remain relatively low compared to other European nations. Worries are growing as the ski season approaches with some resorts already open and others firing up lifts in the coming weeks. NEW

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

A Eurostar Ski Train will run every week this winter from London to Moutiers & Bourg St Maurice in France. Compagnie Des Alps, a major ski lift company, has chartered the train from Eurostar and tickets will only be for people heading on a package to its resorts.

An announcement is expected shortly and it will be welcome news for the snowsports and wider travel industry that has been hit hard by the restrictions. The traffic light system is also expected to go. If confirmed there will likely be a rise in ski holiday bookings. UPDATED

As many countries are easing restrictions Switzerland is tightening its rules and they will last into the ski season. There are fears that hospitals might be over-stretched, with some beginning to worry about what the winter may bring. UPDATED

A Eurostar Ski Train will run every week this winter from London to Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice in France. In an unusual twist Compagnie Des Alps, a major ski lift company for French resorts, has charted the train from Eurostar and tickets will only be for people heading on a package to its resorts.    UPDATED

It will have an impact on travel to the ski resorts this coming winter and could lead to a surge in bookings according to some. The precise details are somewhat less clear. So, what might we expect to happen?

The Austria Health Minister has submitted a proposal to restrict nightclubs and apres ski venues only to those who have been vaccinated. The measure could be in place next month as a handful of resorts are open in October.

Gone is the more traditional GB sticker, and in comes a UK one. GB number plates will still be valid within the EU as long as drivers display a UK sticker on the rear of their vehicle.

The company had been operating for more than two decades but says the double hit of Brexit and Covid-19 means its future is untenable. It joins a number of other operators that have been forced to call it a day. NEW