Travelski Express, which this season reintroduced a ski train service to the French Alps, issued a recent statement concerning the travel situation to France which said: “With the continued restrictions on travel between the UK and France Travelski regrets to confirm the cancellation of the Travelski Express departure planned for the 21 January.
Holiday News & Special Offers
The Ikon Pass explained – perks and discounts have grown since launch in 2018
With many different ski passes now on offer, skiers and snowboarders could be confused over which one is best, or most cost effective, for them. Kristin Rust, VP Communications with the Alterra Mountain Company, provides some insights into the advantages of an Ikon Pass
Free ski lessons on offer in Chamonix this winter
From 7 January to 4 February and from 7 March to 1 April, 2022 the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley is offering its guests FREE group ski lessons
For all ages and all levels of expertise, guests will be able to benefit from free lessons in downhill skiing (both on and off-piste), cross-country skiing, ski touring and even kinder garden skiing.
Brand new hotel and chalets next to Arc 1950 piste
Researched and refined by VIP SKI’s guests over 30 years, Bear Lodge is a brand-new signature complex located at Arc 1950.
The 30-bedoom hotel, Bear Lodge, can accommodate 60-80 guests each week, and Bear Suites can cater to a range of 4 – 14 guests.
Bookings now open for ski and snowboard holidays by train from London direct to the heart of the Alps
European tour operator Travelski (www.uk.Travelski.com) has launched rail inclusive packages from St Pancras station direct to six major ski resorts in France.
The Travelski Express train will leave St Pancras on Friday evenings arriving into Moutiers and then Bourg St Maurice the following morning.
Ski France’s contactless catered chalets help keep interaction with staff down to a minimum
Covid-19 and Brexit have turned traditional chalet holidays upside down this season says Ski France. Therefore, the company has come up with a new concept – contactless catered chalets.
Ski France has more than 50 contactless catered chalets across the French Alps located in top resorts such as Val d’Isère, Tignes, Méribel, Courchevel, La Tania, La Plagne and Alpe d’Huez.
Inghams top scores in consumer survey
Ski specialist tour operator, Inghams has been named a Which? Recommended Provider for Ski Holidays 2021, after top scoring, in a consumer survey that asked people about their holiday experiences when travelling with package ski tour operators.
Final Chance to grab your FREE tickets to the National Snow Show at Birmingham’s NEC
Today will be your last chance to grab a FREE ticket for the National Snow Show, set to take place on 23-24 October at the NEC, Birmingham. Don’t miss out!
Tickets normally cost from £10 but readers of the Skier & Snowboarder magazine can get a free ticket by CLICKING HERE and inserting the code: Skier&Snowboarder
Take a virtual tour of these neighbouring luxury chalets in Meribel
The Chalet Company has added more properties to its portfolio in Meribel and to give you a taste of what you can expect they have put together some virtual tours on their website – you can even hook them up to a VR headset, to really feel like you’re right in the chalet.
MY PERFECT DAY – the Skier & Snowboarder magazine pays tribute to Coronation Street actor Johnny Briggs
When actor Johnny Briggs joined ITV’s famous soap Coronation Street in 1976 as the cockney ducker and diver Mike Baldwin, he only expected his contract to last a couple of months at the most. But he was to become one of the programme’s most popular characters and he stayed in the fictional town of Weatherfield for 30 years. While running the local underwear factory, the storylines concerning his affairs with Deirdre Barlow and runs-ins with her husband Ken became must-see TV.
Major holiday companies cancel ski and snowboard trips for the rest of the season – but there is a surge in bookings for 21/22
TWO of the biggest names in UK ski & snowboard holidays have announced they are cancelling all trips for the rest of the 20/21 season.
Crystal Ski Holidays and Hotelplan UK, the operators of Inghams, Flexiski and Ski Total, have blamed the continuing impact of covid on travel for their decision.
Major ski companies suspend all holidays until 2 April
Inghams, Ski Total and Flexiski holidays have now been suspended until 2 April which means customers of these companies will only have around two weeks in which to go skiing at the end of the season – and that’s depends on many ski resorts opening their lifts and UK travel restrictions being lifted by then.
Cortina looks forward to World Ski Championships and 2026 WInter Olympics on 65th anniversary of the opening ceremony during 1956 event
Today (26 January 2021) marks 65 years since the Opening Ceremony of the VII Winter Olympic Games back in 1956.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the Queen of the Dolomites, had long been waiting for the event. The town was originally appointed to host the Olympics in 1944, but due to the Second World War, it had to wait 12 more years for the event that would establish its positions as a popular destination for winter tourists from all over the world.
COVID LATEST: Updated 14 January 2021 – Some resorts still open but most remain out of reach of Brits for the time being
Rupert Longsdon, the CEO and founder of Oxford Ski, has provided an update on skiing and snowboarding in popular destinations:
Switzerland – Most resorts are open but can vary based on the Canton area, but with key resorts including Zermatt and Verbier operating, there’s plenty of piste to please even the most avid skier. Whilst most restaurants are only able to offer a take-away service, hotel restaurants and catered chalets continue to deliver first class experiences to guests staying with them.
Le Ski joins growing list of ski companies which are writing off the 20/21 season
Ski chalet specialist Le Ski has joined the list of companies which have announced they are cancelling all holidays for the rest of the 20/21 season.
The announcement comes in the same week that Hotelplan, the umbrella company for Inghams, Total Ski, and Flexiski, also announced they were cancelling all ski and snowboard holidays until the end of February (see story by CLICKING HERE).
Inghams, Ski Total, and Flexiski holidays suspended until the end of February
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.
‘Covid Angels’ wanted in Switzerland? Verbier fights back after negative publicity.
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.
Alpine Elements blames covid after it announces the company is in administration
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.
British run French chalet specialist ceases trading with immediate effect
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.