Hotelplan, the umbrella company for Inghams, Ski Total, and Flexiski, has suspended all of its ski and snowboard holidays until 27 February 2021.
It follows a previous announcement in November when the company told its customers that it was cutting the number of ski and snowboard holidays it’s ski companies were offering this season by reducing the number of ski chalets and chalet hotels on offer.
Swiss ski resorts found themselves in the media spotlight recently when photographs appeared on social media platforms showing what appeared to be skiers and snowboarders in lift queues failing to socially distance.
Another ski holiday specialist appears to have been sunk by covid. London-based Alpine Elements announced in a letter to clients that it has gone into administration as of the 8 December 2020.
There is no announcement on its website or Facebook page yet but the letter from director James Hardiman, outlining the situation, states: “I am deeply sorry for this outcome, but it has been without question one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in 23 years of running the company.
Ski Amis, the French chalet specialist, has announced it has ceased trading on its website. The statement said: “It is with great regret that we have taken the decision to cease trading effective from Monday the 30th November 2020.
A demonstration was organised yesterday (Monday 30 November) in Les 2 Alpes in an effort to get the French government to change its decision to close ski resorts in France during the festive period because of the covid pandemic.
by Skier & Snowboarder publisher Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin
Let’s be honest, however much we try and remain positive about the start of the 20/21 ski and snowboard season it is very difficult as each day seems to bring another hurdle to overcome.
Blair Aitken, the founder of British Backcountry, extols the virtues of getting away from it all by ski touring in the Scottish Highlands
It’s March 2020 and I’m leading my British Backcountry group of ski tourers up Meall nan Tarmachan, on the Ben Lawers range. The sky is a deep blue, the air is still, and the snow is down to road level.
More UK Skiers and snowboarders are expected to head for Scottish ski areas this season because of the current pandemic restrictions on overseas travel.
Many people are not aware of the backcountry opportunities there are north of the border so Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports and Atomic have teamed up with Gavin Carruthers and Blair Aitken from the British Backcountry organisation to host a free live online session.
Hotelplan, the umbrella company for Inghams, Ski Total, Esprit and Flexiski, has cut more ski and snowboard holidays this season by reducing the number of ski chalets and chalet hotels on offer. The group has also suspended trips to Finland until next winter due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
The need to maintain social distancing during the covid-19 crisis has led to a prediction that there will be a rise in the popularity of ski touring – walking up mountains with skins on the bottoms of your skis to ‘earn your turns’. Iain Martin, Claire Burnet, and Briony Key, all report on why ski touring – for beginners and the more experienced – is the future in a pandemic-affected world
Skiers and snowboarders who had already booked to travel with Inghams, Esprit, Ski Total and Flexiski this December 2020 are being informed their holidays have been suspended.
The news comes shortly after another long-established ski company, Interski, which specialises in Italy, announced it was cancelling ALL holidays for the 20/21 season but says it is already taking bookings for the following season.
Skiers and snowboarders who love to visit Italy’s Alta Badia region during one of its food festivals, or just simply for great meals on the slopes, will be pleased to hear they are still on the menu this season with all the necessary measures needed to meet covid requirements.
Crystal Ski Holidays is aiming to give skiers and snowboarders added protection with a new covid cover to be used alongside normal travel insurance. The offer is available to all customers travelling on any its ski holidays between 12 December 2020 and 18 April 2021 and applies to all new and existing bookings.
Motoring expert STEVE LOADER takes us on a journey through the advantages of driving yourself to the Alps
They say it’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow somebody some good and ski drive holidays may gain from the chilly blast of Covid.
Japan has been growing in popularity with skiers and snowboarders over the last few seasons. If you are thinking of heading for the snow in the land of the rising sun as an alternative destination during the Covid-19 pandemic, here is some of the latest news from the Hokkaido region:
Ischgl is taking action to safeguard the health and safety of skiers, boarders, employees and locals in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the Tirolean ski resort gears up for the winter season – which starts on November 26 – the decision makers in the Paznaun-Ischgl valley have devised a comprehensive package of measures including C-19 testing for locals and visitors alike.
by Lulu Sheard
With climate change at the forefront of many people’s minds, resorts are reacting to calls for them to become more eco-friendly. The large La Plagne ski area in France, for example, is introducing more measures to protect its Alpine landscape and reduce its environmental impact.
by Lulu Sheard
Ben’s Bus, the airport transfer service to resorts throughout the French alps, has now opened bookings for this season’s services to and from Geneva, Grenoble and Lyon Airports. The company will continue to run all their routes for the coming winter season, with added safety measures such as restricted numbers travelling on each bus and regular cleaning of the interiors.
by Lulu Sheard
British Skiers’ and snowboarders’ will be hoping Covid travel restrictions to Japan will be eased by this winter so they are able to enjoy the country’s legendary powder snow, plus its interesting culture and cuisine.
by Lulu Sheard
Skiers and snowboarders have had some encouraging news from Chamonix for the coming season when the resort announced that several lifts in the French ski resort have opened again for the summer after being closed due to Covid.