Les 2 Alpes claims it will be the first French resort to open its glacier for summer skiing this year. The slopes can be used from 28 May, the earliest the Isère ski area has ever opened its glacier.
Les 2 Alpes also claims it has Europe’s largest skiable glacier and SATA, the lift company, has been carrying out some work in the snowpark.
The traditional ski and snowboard season may be over but during the rest of the year, French ski areas still have plenty to offer those who love being in the mountains – and especially those who enjoy their food.
Many resorts extended their seasons this year to cater from the huge demand from skiers and snowboarders following the lifting of covid and travel restrictions.
PHOTO: Les 2 Alpes – Onevalefan/English Wikipedia
But for those who still need another ‘fix’ of skiing and snowboarding, there are still opportunities during the summer.
The sixth edition of Subli’Cimes will return to La Plagne from 13-18 April 2022 and is free for anyone who has a valid ski pass and health pass for those age 12+.
The wacky festival is held throughout all La Plagne’s five summits. At Plan Bois (1,600 m) guests will find a giant ball pool, a sweet bar, rubber rings and kites.
The lifting of the restrictions on British skiers and snowboarders visiting France has seen new bookings to French ski resorts go through the roof. Many of the resorts have been quick to update the Skier & Snowboarder magazine with their latest news which you will find below. Make sure you check back to this website regularly as we will be adding more info as it comes in. Plus, go to our Holiday Offers page where you will find great bargains to French resorts being added all the time
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
The Chalet Izia luxury apartments in Val d’Isere.
Help kick of 2022 with two fabulous short break packages from Esprit Ski to get you and your family back on the slopes again. Available from the 4th to 8th January, Esprit Ski are even offering FREE and half price child places.
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.
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.
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.
Today (26 January 2021) marks 65 years since the Opening Ceremony of the VII Winter Olympic Games back in 1956.
A Panoramic view of Cortina. PHOTO: Gianluca Lorenzi
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.
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.