Travel & Holiday

The remaining Covid travel restrictions are gone. The passenger locator form and tests for the unvaccinated are not needed. It has been welcomed by skiers returing this weekend & those heading out over the rest of the season. UPDATED

The vaccine pass and the requirement to wear masks indoors are being dropped in France from this Monday. It’s good news for the ski resorts as they go into the last six weeks or so of their season.

It is the last major alpine county to do so and the move brings it more into line with Switzerland, France and Italy. PlanetSKI reports from the Tirol on the welcome change and how hopes are rising for a good end to the season. UPDATED

It’s the last major European ski nation to require visitors from the UK to take pre-travel Covid-19 tests.  PlanetSKI reacts from the ski slopes of Italy as the news is widely welcomed. UPDATED

Bookings are almost at pre-pandemic levels according to a new report.  PlanetSKI has been on the slopes of France and can report it has been busy over the February holiday period. UPDATED

People arriving to ski will just need proof of double vaccination or recovery or a negative test when entering Austria. It has been widely welcomed in the snowsports world, and will give a boost to the second half of the season and spring skiing. NEW

Resorts and Tour Operators report growing interest as Covid rules ease. A new report backs up the situation for France. EasyJet has put on an extra 50,000 additional seats on flights departing to ski destinations. UPDATED

If you want to get away later in the season now is perhaps the time to book. Easter is nearly sold out in some places. We look at the easing of restrictions, the reality of skiing under current rules & growing pressure on holidays.

France loosened some rules on Wednesday with Switzerland easing some of its restrictions on Thursday, plus outlining a path to end all measures. We report from the slopes of the two alpine nations and assess the likely impact on skiing for the rest of the winter. NEW

The Austrian government has announced it will take more steps to ease restrictions gradually in February. Some relaxation has already taken place, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to travel from the UK. UPDATED

The change came into force on Wednesday and applies to all visitors.  It means skiers and snowboarders heading to the Scandinavian country will no longer have to quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have a Covid-19 certificate. 

The need to test for Covid-19 when you arrive in England or Scotland is being scrapped for fully jabbed travellers from 4am on 11th February. The other home nations say they will follow suit. The change comes in time for the school half-term break and bookings are already said to be up. UPDATED

From this week a vaccination pass will be needed by everyone over 16. A negative test will not be enough.  Cases continue to grow but ski resorts remain open. PlanetSKI reports from the slopes of La Rosiere in France.

Austria removed the UK from its so-called ‘virus variant list’ on Monday. Triple jabbed skiers and snowboarders are now allowed to enter without the need for a test. It has been widely welcomed by the Austrian ski resorts and those eligible wanting to head to Austria. UPDATED

Testing rules for entering Switzerland were relaxed on Saturday. It’s been welcomed by the ski resorts & UK operators that offer ski holidays in Switzerland, but cases in the country remain high with health services under pressure. UPDATED

Many people are now eager to return to the slopes of France as the border opens up from today. However pressure on options is mounting.

Italy is now in the grip in a surge of cases with new measures coming into force on Monday 10th January. The Aosta Valley and Abruzzo head into the Yellow Zone, joining Piedmont Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino. The Trentino region may soon become an Orange Zone.

That is the question from the UK ski agent, Absolutely Snow. We asked the company to provide some answers. There are plenty of hoops to jump through, but skiing and snowboarding remains entirely possible. NEW

We have been in Zell am See, Saalbach and Kaprun. Experiencing skiing under the Covid rules and enjoying some fresh powder on empty New Year slopes. Has it been worth it? You bet!

Another lockdown is not ruled out as the country’s Covid Crisis Coordination Commission meets. Masks are now needed outdoors & other measures are tightened. Ski resorts are watching developments closely with World Cup ski racing called off. NEW

Exact details have not been revealed but France has eased restrictions on ‘work travel’ to and from the UK with immediate effect. It follows earlier remarks from the French government spokesman. There is no easing of border rules for skiing and tourism. UPDATED

It seems so judging by the briefings and media reports. The travel industry is urging for the change with renewed gusto, If so it will be very welcome by skiers, snowboarders and the UK snowsports industry. UPDATED

When will France reopen its borders to UK skiers?  Will Switzerland continue it open-door policy? What about Austria and Italy? What is the situation in the Pyrenees and Scandinavia? UPDATED

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.