Travel & Holiday

Boris Johnson has unveiled a ‘traffic light’ system which could determine if, and where, we can go on holiday to the mountains this summer. Details though are in short supply & travel to the main mountain nations in Europe seems some way off.

Some scientists say they are unlikely to take place, politicians have not refuted the claims, the travel industry is angry and the rest of us simply wonder when and if we can go on holiday to the mountains. With predictions of variant viruses for years to come it raises the issue of skiing next winter too.

Despite a hugely successful vaccine roll out in the UK it is not so in much of Europe. There is talk of vaccine passports, but with the virus mutating and spreading some say borders may be closed with tourist travel banned.

21 million people in 16 areas of France will be placed under the measures from midnight today. There areas affected include Paris and other northern cities. The lockdown will last 4-weeks. UPDATED

The Norwegian government has outlined its Covid-19 guidelines for the Easter holidays. Tens of thousands of people are expected to head to cabins in the mountains as the country faces its biggest threat from the pandemic.

Ski France is offering 50 so-called ‘Contactless Chalets’ across some of the major resorts in France. With Brexit rules on employing British staff and Covid-19 restrictions it is a new product on the market.

It would likely mean the end of any chance of ski resorts opening this Spring. Some resorts have already called it a day with new restrictions introduced this week as cases surge.

It is becoming more likely as some beach destination countries are introducing them and mountain ones are discussing it. Recent research shows the majority of British travellers are happy to use them, many though oppose the idea. It remains illegal for people in England to go abroad for a holiday until at least May 17th.

The UK’s largest ski operator details growing interest and which resorts are proving to be most popular for the season of 2021/22. It says sales are surging as optimism returns. Will it last?

The Austrian resort says the continuing pandemic and its shared slopes with Switzerland mean it cannot see a way to open the season within all the rules. The resort was seen as a super-spreader of the virus a year ago.

Operators report a rise in bookings and interest for next season.  It follows the roll out of vaccines, easing of lockdown restrictions, plus talk of vaccine passports to allow travel. Is it too soon to be optimistic? UPDATED

The French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, has said the current Covid-19 situation in some parts of France is ‘worrying’. Cases in the Alps and the Pyrenees remain steady and relatively under control though concerns are rising after the holiday period.

It is looking increasing likely with a number of countries including Austria & Switzerland supporting the idea. Austria has said it wants a system in place by May or June. The airline industry itself is set to introduce a Covid Travel Pass with trials underway.

They were outlined earlier this month and now Federal & Cantonal authorities have agreed the details. Restaurants and bars will remain closed, something some ski resorts oppose. The new rules come into force on March 1st.

The masks have been compulsory in ski resorts since the lifts began turning on December 24th. There has been a rise in cases across the country as some measures have been eased.

The new government led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi has extended until 27th March a ban on travel between Italy’s regions. It will have a significant impact on mountain areas.

The travel industry has urged the prime minister to provide a roadmap to get people travelling again this summer and make plans for next winter. NEW

The UK’s largest ski operator has formally announced it will not be running any holidays this winter. Some had hoped there might be a possibility towards the end of the season.

As new quarantine measures come into force today the Save Future Travel Coalition says the Prime Minister needs to use next week’s lockdown update to provide a route forward for the travel industry. This week should have been one of the busiest weeks for winter holidays.

Some were due to open on Monday and others later this week. Many resorts had spent huge amounts of time, money and effort after being told they could open. One resort defied the ban & opened anyway, there have been demonstrations in others.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.

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. UPDATED

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?

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?

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

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

Some cantons have ski areas open, others have shut them. The Federal government has closed restaurants, but some were allowed to open. Now they are closed. It is, to say the least, a confusing picture.

The authorities had ordered UK skiers into isolation if they arrived after December 14th. Now flights resume between to the two countries but only for nationals returning home for Xmas.

All flights are banned for the foreseeable future and all people who have arrived from the UK since the 14 of December are required to go into a 10-day quarantine.

Which ski resorts are open, what are the restrictions and when might we see the others opening? Check out our weekly review of where we now stand as the situation changes across the Alps, the Pyrenees & beyond. UPDATED

The lifts may not be running but hotels can open and ski touring, cross-country and snowshoeing are allowed. It’s all looking very different in these Covid-19 times.