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.
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COVID LATEST: Updated 27 December 2020 – Austria goes into another lockdown but ski lifts can stay open for people who want to exercise
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.
‘In Scotland, we chase winter…’
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.
Explore the Scottish Backcountry through this FREE online event
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.
More ski chalet holidays suspended until next winter – and another UK tour operator ceases trading
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.
Ski touring – ‘earn your turns’
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
Another blow for early season skiers and snowboarders but holiday companies remain optimistic for the New Year
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.
Michelin-starred chefs to serve up a host of tasty treats in Alta Badia this 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.
COVID NEWS: Crystal offers free cover as part of new holiday promise
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.
SKI DRIVE: Covid chill’ gives motoring to the mountains a boost
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.
Japanese ski resorts aim to reassure visitors they will be safe from the covid pandemic
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 to provide free buffs for people to use as face masks – but popular top of the mountain concerts put on hold
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.
La Plagne continues to add to its eco-friendly policies in an effort to preserve the mountains for future generations
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.
Ben’s Bus freezes prices, adds Covid safety measures, better refund terms, plus more airport transfer routes for 2020/21
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.
Japan’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Higashiyama Niseko Village, opens this winter
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.
Chamonix lifts up and running with new safety and hygiene measures in place – and there are free activities for visitors
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.
Covid fails to dampen skiers’ and snowboarders’ spirits when it comes to planning holidays for the upcoming winter season
by Lulu Sheard
The majority of skiers and snowboarders still intend to go skiing this season, despite the current number of confirmed bookings for 20/21 being relatively low so far, according to surveys carried out by various wintersports organisations.
Peak Retreats expands its 2020/21 winter programme in the French Alps – a whole range of new apartments to choose from
by Lulu Sheard
Award winning French Alps specialist Peak Retreats has announced it is offering new accommodation and going to new resorts this season. The improved winter program includes additions in Les Sybelles, the fourth largest ski area in the Alps, Les Deux Alpes, La Rosière, and the Jura Mountains.
Campaigners start petition to ‘Save the Ski Train’ after Eurostar announces it is stopping its rail travel to the Alps service
Eurostar will not run its iconic Ski Train this winter. A campaign, Save the Ski Train, has been launched in an attempt to persuade the cross channel railway service to reinstate this service.
Since 1997, the train has run twice weekly from London and Ashford to the Tarentaise region of the French Alps, dropping skiers at Moutiers, Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice stations, a short hop by bus or taxi from 16 major ski resorts, including Méribel, Courchevel, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes and Val d’Isère.
Former neuroscientist uses her ski manager skills to set up successful operation in The Three Valleys
Have we found the brainiest chalet owner in the French Alps? Austria loving ROB REES overcame his lifelong aversion to French skiing to make a long overdue return to The Three Valleys after 27 years away with a stay with the marvelous Ski Talini