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Travel & Holiday

French Government Delays Decision on Third National Lockdown

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

UK Students In Isolation in France After Covid-19 Cases Are Trainee Ski Instructors Heading to Switzerland

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.

Crystal Ski Cancels Holidays Until March 5th

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.

Reaction As Ski Lifts Remain Closed In France

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.

French Ski Lifts to Remain Shut into February & Likely Beyond

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

Italy’s Ski Areas Remain Closed

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

Ski Resorts in France Await Their Fate

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.

Covid-19 Testing for International Travellers into UK Delayed to Monday

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

GB Ski Businesses Adapt to Survive in the Face of Coronavirus

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. 

Ski Resorts in France Ordered to Keep Lifts Shut

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.

Inghams Suspends All Ski Holidays Until End of February

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 Delays Opening Ski Resorts

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

High Demand for Peak Time Ski Trips Next Winter

With this season looking like it could be a write-off, UK ski tour operators and travel agents say key dates for next winter are selling fast.

Changes for UK Travellers Heading to Europe from January 1st

Skiers and snowboarders will notice some changes on how people from the UK can cross borders. There are alterations to many rules as Brexit begins.

Switzerland Tourism Launches Overview of Regulations, Canton by Canton

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.

Ischgl Closed Until Second Half of January

Ski resorts in Austria have opened for local skiers only, but the resort in the Tirol that was an early spreader of Covid-19 is shut until towards the end of next month.

UK Residents in Quarantine in Switzerland Allowed to Leave

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.

Quarantine Chaos Continues for British Skiers in or Heading to Switzerland

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.

Resorts Open/Close + What Rest of Ski Season May Look Like

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

Five Undiscovered Gems in the Tirol

Thinking about heading to the Tirol in Austria once conditions allow? Well, how about avoiding the well-known resorts and going for somewhere less-crowded.  Somewhere you have probably never heard of. Until now…

Switzerland Set to Ban Arrival of UK Tourists on January 1st 2021

Coronavirus restrictions co-incide with Brexit meaning UK citizens will not be able to cross the border except for essential reasons. Norway already has a similar policy and as things stand the ban could be extended to all EU and Schengen countries.

French Ski Resorts Prepare for Xmas Without Lifts Running

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.

Latest Winter Holiday Offers from January 2021

When travel restrictions are lifted everyone should get cracking and book a holiday to the mountains. Have a look at offers from Crystal Ski and Ski Solutions, along with yoga and snow shoe trips.
3★ Grand Chalet Brides-les-Bains from £354pp – Crystal Ski
3★ Pension Furstenhof from £395pp – Crystal Ski
★ Snowshoe and yoga in the Chartreuse Mountains
★ Shinrin-yoku in Morzine
★ Ski Solutions Self-Drive/Self-Catered packages

Quarantine Reduced to 5 Days

Quarantine for people arriving in England is to be reduced to five days. Then people will need to take a test and, if negative, they can end their self-isolation. There are reports of problems though.

France Ends its National Lockdown

Plenty of restrictions remain in place from Tuesday with lifts not turning in ski resorts, but now people can travel to the mountains. Locals have been skinning up, though some districts have banned touring as so many are heading uphill and threatening extra pressure on hospitals.

Resorts Open/Close + What Rest of Ski Season May Look Like

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.

Skiing, Snowboarding and Working in the EU After January 1st

Whether there is a deal between the UK and the EU, or whether there isn’t, travel and working will look very different in three weeks. The free movement of labour is ending and for many UK nationals working in the mountains will be a thing of the past.

Norway Set to Bar People from the UK

On January 1st the border will be closed as Covid-19 restrictions coincide with Brexit changes. Skiing will be off limits for people from the UK. There are growing concerns that UK citizens might be barred from all EU countries in three weeks. UPDATED

UK holidaymakers Could be Barred from EU after 1st January

Current Covid-19 rules only allow people from the EU, European Economic Area and Schengen countries to cross the borders. There are a handful of exceptions, but newspaper reports claim the EU has indicated the UK will not be exempt. The Foreign Secretary has played down the reports.

Alpine Elements Plans Relaunch

The ski tour operator has been going for 23 years. It went into administration on Tuesday, blaming Covid-19 and a lack of government support. But the owner has bought the brand and hopes to continue trading. He’s been speaking to PlanetSKI.

Train Services Stopped Between Switzerland and Italy

Swiss Federal Railways has said that the connections would be halted at the border crossings in the Alps as its staff simply did not have the capacity to carry out the coronavirus checks required by Italian authorities.

Will Ski Resorts in Spain Open for Skiing at Xmas?

It looks like some will and some won’t, with final decisions expected this week. Elsewhere in the Pyrenees Andorra and France are not opening until January. NEW

Swiss Ski Resorts To Open Over Xmas

The announcement has been made by the Federal government. Many will welcome the move and many others will worry about it helping to spread coronavirus in a country that continues to have a high infection rate.

Andorra Closes Its Ski Slopes

Andorra has announced the ski lifts will not run over Xmas. Resorts in the French Pyrenees will be closed until January at the earliest. There are restrictions in Spain.UPDATED

Hotelplan UK Suspends All Ski Holidays Until February

The company runs Inghams, Ski Total and Flexiski. It has already axed the entire season for its other brand, Esprit Ski.

Latest Restrictions in Italy Revealed With Huge Impact on Mountain Areas

Travel between regions has been banned over holiday period stopping many from going to second homes in the mountains or visiting family & friends. The government has singled out ski areas in particular. Further measures to battle Covid-19 to be announced later. UPDATED

Switzerland Under Pressure to Increase Covid-19 Measures and Shut Ski Resorts

It is keeping the ski resorts open as fellow alpine nations close theirs and try to prevent their citizens from visiting the Swiss Alps. If there is a serious outbreak or hospitals become overrun there could be long-term consequences.

Austria Allows Skiing At Xmas, But Only Just & Not For Many

Strict quarantine rules are set to be imposed making the slopes out-of-bounds to most foreign holiday skiers. Resorts can open on Xmas Eve for locals only as hotels remain shut.

Italian Ski Resorts Want to Limit Skiers to Overnight Guests Only

The alpine regions see it as a way to preserve the winter and reduce the spread of Covid-19.  The authorities are yet to react.

France Reveals Measures to Stop Its Citizens Skiing Abroad

President Macron said on Tuesday he will take measures to dissuade people from skiing in neighbouring Switzerland. Details have now been revealed. UPDATED

Ski Amis Goes Out of Business

It is the latest UK ski operator to cease trading amid the impact of Covid-19 and tough conditions ahead with Brexit.

Ski Touring, Cross Country & Snowshoeing Allowed in France

The lifts are set to be closed across Xmas and New Year but the authorities are allowing resorts to offer other forms of skiing and travelling in the snow. You just can’t use a lift.

Talks Continue for a Coordinated Opening of Ski Slopes in the Alps

 Austria has indicated it will not support the move led by Germany to stop resorts opening in December and postpone any openings to January. Switzerland will likely keep its resorts open. Pressure is mounting and it is getting highly political. UPDATED

French Ski Resorts Can Open in December But Lifts to Remain Shut

The Prime Minister, Jean Castex, has made an announcement that slightly waters down what President Macron said on Tuesday. Resorts say it is not enough. UPDATED

Alpine Ski Nations Discuss a Co-Ordinated Approach to Opening

Italy has got the ball rolling and France says it is in discussions.  Germay is fully supportive. Austria and Switzerland appear rather less enthusiastic. PlanetSKI examines the chance of success. UPDATED

Crystal Ski Holidays Cancels All December Holidays to France

It follows the likelihood that French resorts will not open until late January. There is also the matter of isolation required when arriving back in the UK.

French Ski Resorts React With Dismay as Slopes Likely Shut Until January

President Macron has indicated they will close but a final decision will be taken next week. It will come at a huge economic price, but some resorts say they will be open, and though the lifts may be closed there is much else to do.

Ski Resorts in France Set To Remain Closed in December

France has passed the peak of its second wave of Covid-19, but tough restrictions remain in place until at least January and ski resorts will likely remain closed. It is a bombshell for the French ski industry. UPDATED

Italians Urged Not To Go Skiing

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has said Italy “can’t afford” the risk of further infections from people taking ski holidays. He is urging Europe-wide rules. Ski resorts are seen as super-spreaders of the virus back in March.

Quarantine Is the Key to Unlocking Winter 2020/21 For UK Skiers 

That is the claim from the rental company Intersport in a survey. It is released as UK quarantine is reduced from 14-days to 5-days.

UK Quarantine to be Reduced

The announcement has been made by the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps.  With a vaccine on the horizon, hopes rise in the world of snowsports. The self-isolation changes mean skiing is more attractive but there are still significant obstacles.

What May New Covid-19 Restrictions Mean for Skiing in Scotland?

The new rules have come into force this weekend and include travel restrictions. The resorts are not due to open until December, but an impact is already being felt.

Major UK Ski Operator Cancels All Chalet holidays in France

Hotelplan UK runs Inghams, Ski Total, Esprit and Flexiski.  Holidays to Finland go too. It is another body blow for UK skiers and snowboarders in these Covid-19 times.  

VIP SKI Goes Out Of Business

The company had been going for 30 years and has been unable to survive the Covid-19 crisis. UPDATED

Austria Goes into Full Lockdown as Covid-19 Continues to Surge

The alpine nation is seeing a sharp rise and measures taken so far do not appear to have worked. Ski resorts are already closed to the general public and it is grim news as winter approaches. UPDATED

Ski Weekender Closes its Alpine Base for Next Winter

UK Shortbreak Specialist is closing its main base in France, but it will act as an agent selling hotel rooms in its resorts. Other operators are under pressure and are considering their plans for next winter as the pandemic spreads and restrictions are tightened.

Interski Cancels Operations for This Winter

The operator has been working in the Aosta Valley in Italy for almost 40years, but has decided to suspend all operations next winter due to Covid-19.

Four UK Tour Operators Cancel All Ski Holidays in December

Inghams, Ski Total, Esprit and Flexiski have announced they will not be running any ski trips this year, including over the Christmas period. The UK’s largest operator, Crystal Ski, says it still plans to operate in December.

Skiing in Scotland in Covid-19 Times

With the Alps looking increasingly difficult and North America near impossible some skiers and snowboarders are looking at following their passion in the UK this winter. Resorts are preparing but Covid-19 restrictions remain unclear.

Covid-19 Spreading ‘Out of Control’ in Austria

Almost the whole of the alpine country has turned red on its four-level traffic light system. New measures are expected to be announced tomorrow.

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