Travel & Holiday

The UK and three other European countries have been added to Austria’s virus variant list. It comes into force on December 25th. The measures are less stringent than had been feared.

People need ‘compelling reasons’ to travel with mandatory tests for departures and arrivals. It deals a heavy blow to those planning to ski in the French mountains over Christmas and the resorts waiting to welcome them. The key question is how long the rules will remain in place. UPDATED

It is a complex yet simple situation in reality out in the mountains. PlanetSKI has reporters in Les3Vallees and Les Arcs in the Paradiski area this final week of people from the UK being able to ski in France. NEW

People need ‘compelling reasons’ to travel and there are mandatory tests for departures and arrivals. It deals a heavy blow to those planning to ski in the French mountains over Christmas and the resorts waiting to welcome them.UPDATED

The UK government has announced that the under-16s are now eligible for an NHS Covid Pass for international travel. It’s good news for families planning a ski holiday, though only if the children are double jabbed. UPDATED

With so many choices, how do you decide where to go on your next snowsports holiday? Inghams can help.

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

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

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 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.

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

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.