General News

The aircraft came down shortly after 5 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. Three other people were injured, one seriously. NEW

The Federal government has declared the Austrian state a ‘restricted’ zone over worries about the spread of variant coronavirus.  The German government has closed its border with the Tirol describing it as a coronavirus ‘mutation area’.

But Hotelplan UK, which owns Inghams, Ski Total, Esprit and Flexiski, is looking to offer more holidays in 2021-22 with bookings already 100% up on the same time last year.  In an interview with PlanetSKI the MD has accepted it is ‘extremely unlikely’ there’ll be any ski trips this season.

Variant coronavirus cases have been detected & there are fears of it spreading to other parts of Austria as the recent national lockdown measures are lifted. The Federal Government & the Tirol authorities are in discussions on an agreed solution. A decision was to have been made on Sunday now the Federal government has issued travel advise ahead of an expected joint announcement on Tuesday. UPDATE

The team at PlanetSKI is reporting all the news & developments as it affects the snowsports world in our ever-popular rolling blog. If you want to see its impact and the response of skiers & snowboarders then read on… UPDATED

From February 15th resorts in the so-called ‘Yellow Zones’ are expected to be able to open. All the country’s main ski areas are in a yellow zone except for those in the Sud Tirol. It is a huge relief for skiers, plus the resorts though some question the wisdom as Covid-19 continues.

Villars, Les Diablerets and Leysin in the Vaud canton are offering free testing to anyone over 12-years old including non-residents. It comes as the February holidays approach.

The Austrian province has seen worrying increases in the mutations and concerns are mounting. The authorities are studying the data and will make a decision shortly. Ski resorts and alpine areas are watching closely. UPDATED

It will be welcomed by ski resorts as the February holiday period approaches. The ski lifts will still not be allowed to turn but some travel is allowed and accommodations can remain open. It is though scant compensation for a season wrecked by Covid-19.

That’s according to some UK ski tour operators and agents we have spoken to. This season is pretty much a total write off, though some hold out hope for the end of season. Are they correct about next winter?

There are serious concerns over the ability of UK citizens to work abroad in the mountains and whether qualifications will be recognised. A joint statement has been issued by the Home Nations governing bodies and BASI.

The government, opposition parties, scientific advisers and regional authorities met throughout the day on Monday. The alpine nation’s lockdown is due to end on February 7th. What are the changes and how will they affect ski resorts?

An announcement is expected this afternoon with the current restrictions due to end on February 7th. It is likely there will be some easing of measures, but lockdown will stay & most restrictions in ski resorts will remain. NEW

One man was rescued in Tignes after being buried for 4 and a half hours. In Switzerland a couple was buried and their dogs barked for help and attracted the attention of people nearby. Extreme caution is urged across many parts of the Alps after new snow falls on an unstable snowpack.

The team at PlanetSKI is reporting all the news & developments as it affects the snowsports world in our ever-popular rolling blog. If you want to see its impact and the response of skiers & snowboarders then read on…

That’s one of the findings of a recent survey where 55% of those polled wanted ski areas to shut if the epidemiological situation deteriorates. In Switzerland the rate of infection is currently improving. In a wide ranging survey many other questions are asked. We look at the current rules & regulations in Switzerland.

Several British nationals are reported to be among those in breach of pandemic-related rules on entering the country and the national lockdown regulations. 44 hotels & lodges were checked. 133 people were interviewed with 96 given ‘notices.’ Some were ordered to take a COVID PCR test.

It has closed its borders to most non-EU travel, but has stopped short of imposing a third national lockdown. The ski resorts are breathing a small sigh of relief as at least domestic tourism can continue albeit with ski lifts remaining shut.

Hotelplan runs Inghams, Ski Total and Flexiski and all holidays are off until at least April 2nd. It is no great surprise with ski holidays banned by the government and the short term not looking good in the battle against Covid-19.

Snowsports holidays are included in the existing ban on all foreign holidays. The measures have been in place for a while but appear to have been flouted or misunderstood by some. A small number have found claimed loop holes.

The Austrian resort remains closed though some slopes are open for ski tourers and people going snow shoeing. It has spent €750,000 on Covid-19 protection measures and wants to ensure safety.

The government says a decision will be taken “in the coming days” on whether to impose a third lockdown. It would be a further blow on the fragile situation of ski resorts but may be needed to prevent deaths and hospitals being overrun.
UPDATED

The team at PlanetSKI is reporting all the news & developments as it affects the snowsports world in our ever-popular rolling blog. If you want to see its impact and the response of skiers & snowboarders then read on…

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

The group is in isolation in Vallorcine near Chamonix after 16 out of the group of 26 tested positive.  Locals in Vallorcine are reported to be anxious and there are concerns in Verbier. The course organiser says all the rules have been strictly followed.

The UK’s largest ski tour operator pulls the plug as questions grow whether there will be a ski season at all.  Covid-19 and international travel restrictions to EU and Schengen countries means travel is not likely any time soon.

The outbreak happened in a group of 172 people on a course in Flachau in the Ski Amade region in Salzburg. Two Britons are among dozens on the course who have tested positive for coronavirus. All instructor courses in Salzburg have now been suspended.

Marco Eberhard worked at the resort of Bergun in the canton of Graubunden. He was fired  for breaking his relation of ‘loyalty’ to the company by speaking to the media about his concerns.

It is an economic body blow to the French resorts – the lift companies, the restaurants, the ski schools and all businesses in resorts. Let alone us that want to ski. The French government says it is necessary to save lives and beat Covid-19 and that health issues take priority.

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.

It is a bitter blow for the resorts and means the half term holiday period is likely gone with a huge impact. The government says it is a necessary measure and it puts the health of the nation above economic issues. UPDATED

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

They had been scheduled to open today, January 18th, but it wasn’t to be with Covid-19 cases remaining stubbornly high.

The government will decide by Wednesday if and when the ski resorts can run their lifts. Some fear if there is another delay then the season will effectively be a write off, but it may be necessary to save lives in the battle against Covid-19.

The team at PlanetSKI is reporting all the news & developments as it affects the snowsports world in our ever-popular rolling blog. If you want to see its impact and the response of skiers & snowboarders then read on… UPDATED

It was due to end on January 25th but has been extended until February 7th at the earliest. Ski resorts remain open, but for locals only.

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.

It comes as a British infection contributes to the cancellation of the Lauberhorn race in Wengen, a group of UK skiers was stopped at St Pancras station in London heading to Switzerland + other outbreaks in the Alps involving UK citizens occur. Some anti-British feeling rises as the UK variant spreads into the alpine nations.

The authorities in Austria have identified a cluster of 17 cases in the resort of Jochberg in the Tirol. They are reported to be mainly from a ski instructor training course. UPDATED

Mandatory Covid testing will now be introduced for everyone arriving in England om Monday 18th January. People will need a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than three days before departure. UPDATED

British-owned ski companies in the Alps are re-inventing themselves to provide a lifeline in these difficult times. Two business owners in France tell PlanetSKI how they’ve been forced to adapt to survive. 

The team at PlanetSKI is reporting all the news & developments as it affects the snowsports world in our ever-popular rolling blog. If you want to see its impact and the response of skiers & snowboarders then read on… UPDATED

The virus is having a huge impact on skiing and snowboarding this winter, with the season perhaps over for UK-based skiers before it has even started. The World Health Organisation makes a stark assessment of the situation in Europe though there is some cause for hope.

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.

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.

They were supposed to open on Thursday 7th January but the authorities in Paris have said they must stay closed.  It is a bitter blow for the resorts, many of whom had prepared their slopes. The government said it is necessary to defeat Covid-19.

Ski Total and Flexiski holidays are also cancelled. All brands are run by the Swiss company, Hotelplan.  It follows the UK lockdown and there are serious doubts about much of the rest of the season for all UK ski companies.

Restaurants, gyms and cultural venues will likely remain closed.  There is no word on the fate of ski resorts that remain open in some cantons. Talks are ongoing with final decisions made in a week’s time. NEW

The team at PlanetSKI is reporting all the news & developments as it affects the snowsports world in our ever-popular rolling blog. If you want to see its impact and the response of skiers & snowboarders then read on… UPDATED

Italy has postponed the reopening of its ski resorts until later this month at the earliest. January 18th is the date pencilled in. In the Pyrenees Andorra has open some slopes for local residents only. UPDATED

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.

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.

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.