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Resort News

What’s Happening in Ski Resorts in Eastern Europe in Covid-19 Times?

Resorts in Poland have opened with government backing, those in the Czech Republic have also opened but the authorities wanted them to stay closed. Plus we look at Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Switzerland Outlines Relaxation of Restrictions

It wants to ease measures on March 1st with sports facilities reopening and more people allowed at private events. In ski resorts ice rinks would be allowed to open though bars, restaurants and sporting events must remain closed to the public.

Austria to Crackdown on Foreigners Staying & Skiing in its Resorts Illegally

It follows a series of raids in St Anton that revealed widespread abuse. The Interior Minister has now said the government will ‘intensify controls’.  Local Austrians have welcomed the move as some general restrictions in Austria are eased from Monday 8th February.

Scottish Ski Areas Stay Shut But Get £3m Government Aid

The extra funding is welcome news for the snowsports industry just as the Scottish Government announces the nation will stay in lockdown until at least the end of February.

French Ski Resorts Hear Today If They Can Start Their Lifts

The government had said it would make an announcement on Wednesday 20th but it looks as if the half-term ski holidays will not be happening. It is an economic short-term body blow to the resorts, but some think the right decision in the long run to stop the spread of Covid-19. UPDATED

Hats off to Chamonix!

Why? Because the resort tells it like it is with accurate and informative news. Er, not something we always receive from some PR people in ski resorts and certainly not in these dreadfull pandemic times.

Swiss Ski Resorts to Stay Open

Tighter new restrictions come into force next week including the closing of non-essential shops but ski lifts continue to turn. Covid-19 cases in Switzerland are still high, but stabilising.

Night Skiing Affected as Canadian Province of Quebec Goes into Stricter Lockdown

Canada’s second-most populous province is to have a 4-week lockdown, including a strict curfew that will affect night skiing. Quebec contains the ski resorts of Le Massif, Mont St Anne and Stoneham.

Morzine Adapts To Survive With Its Ski Lifts Shut

The French Alps resort that’s a favourite with the British is reporting a busy holiday period despite the closure of ski lifts and a lack of visitors from the UK. UPDATED

Scotland Ski Areas Shut Up Shop

Nevis Range cancelled a while back before even opening, then Cairngorm closed just as it opened. Now others are being order to close to stop the spread of Covid-19.

French Ski Resorts Still Waiting To Hear Whether Ski Lifts Can Open

It was stated in December as Xmas and New Year restrictions were put in place that the lifts would open on January 7th – that’s today. The government is making an announcement later and it is expected they will remain shut. UPDATED

Andorra Opens Some Ski Resorts for Locals Only

It opened up some ski areas on Saturday for local residents only and hopes to allow international visitors this weekend. UPDATED

Will Ski Lifts Turn in France on January 7th?

That is the date that was announced by President Macron as he ordered the lifts to shut. Some doubts remain, but there are signs of hope. Whether UK skiers can get there is another matter altogether as Covid-19 coincides with Brexit. UPDATED

Fancy Attending a New Year’s Eve Party from a Ski Resort?

Val Thorens is turning up the dials for a virtual one from the slopes. It normally hosts a huge celebration with 10,000 in the resort. It is not to be this year, so it’s doing its best.

Piste Bashers Going Green

An Italian company has unveiled a fully electric piste basher + a hydrogen powered groomer. A glimpse into a more environmentally friendly future?

Ischgl Closed Until Second Half of January

Ski resorts in Austria have opened for local skiers only, but the resort in the Tirol that was an early spreader of Covid-19 is shut until towards the end of next month.

Ski Resorts Remain Open As Austria Goes into Third National Lockdown

They opened on Xmas Eve but now come under tighter restrictions. Outdoor exercise is allowed, though in resort most of the facilities remain closed. UPDATED

Cairngorm to Close Due to Covid-19

The Scottish resort shuts at the close of play on Xmas Eve following new rules announced by the First Minister. Glencoe & the Lecht say they will remain open as Scotland goes into Level 4 restrictions from Boxing Day.

Five Undiscovered Gems in the Tirol

Thinking about heading to the Tirol in Austria once conditions allow? Well, how about avoiding the well-known resorts and going for somewhere less-crowded.  Somewhere you have probably never heard of. Until now…

More Swiss Cantons to Close Their Ski Resorts over Xmas

9 out the 26 cantons have decided to close their ski areas – the well-known resort of Andermatt will see some of its slopes shut. The rest are smaller resorts. The majority of ski resorts in Switzerland remain open. The Federal Government has said they may have to close if the R-rate goes above 1.2. New restrictions have been announced. UPDATED

Italian Ski Lift Company Closes for the Season

The Saslong lift company operates part of the slopes in Val Gardena and it has said it will not open due to the chaos and confusion of Covid-19 restrictions.  It highlights the extra pressure put on hospitals if ski areas open and criticises the handling of the pandemic by the regional and national authorities.

Skiing in Scotland – Ski Areas Prepare To Open

The Scottish snowsports season is here – just. But, for the time being at least, only skiers and snowboarders in Scotland will be allowed on the slopes, and the weather this weekend has postponed things. UPDATED

Robert Redford Sells Sundance Ski Resort in Utah

The actor founded Sundance Mountain Resort more than 50 years ago. It offers a unique mix of skiing balanced with art and nature and is a firm favourite of PlanetSKI. UPDATED

French Court Confirms Closure of Ski Lifts as Date Set for January Opening

The Council of State made its decision as the government says lifts may open on January 7th if conditions allow. Lifts will not be turning in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Jura or the Massif Central over Xmas. Resorts are set to open on January 7th but strict criteria will need to be met and it remains uncertain. UPDATED

More Ski Resorts Open in Spain

The Catalan ski areas in the Pyrenees are opening. Last week’s planned openings were delayed. Some smaller ski areas in Spain have fired up their lifts with skiing underway for locals only. UPDATED

Demand Grows To Ski In England

We could all be looking to ski closer to home this winter. One ski area in England has already had unprecedented demand and is turning skiers and snowboarders away.

Huge Queues For Verbier Lift

Photos have been posted on social media showing people apparently not social distancing. The resort has now put barriers in place, but questions remain as other resorts are set to open. Switzerland has decided to allow all its resorts to open despite many European countries keeping them shut.

Vail Resorts Claims Major Step Towards Zero Carbon Goal

The mega US-based ski company says it’s made big advances towards its commitment to reaching a zero net carbon footprint by 2030.

Switzerland Under Pressure to Increase Covid-19 Measures and Shut Ski Resorts

It is keeping the ski resorts open as fellow alpine nations close theirs and try to prevent their citizens from visiting the Swiss Alps. If there is a serious outbreak or hospitals become overrun there could be long-term consequences.

Chamonix Looks Forward to New Grands Montets Lifts

A fire severely destroyed the iconic lift in Argentiere in September 2018.  A new project is rising from the ashes.

Top Ten Ski Resorts in the USA

The US is home to an abundance of amazing ski resorts. But which US ski resort is the best? Plus we look across the Pond as resorts open for winter.

A Different Kind Of Apres

If any of us manage to get to the Alps this winter, what can we do after a day on the slopes when we can’t indulge in traditional apres? 

Scottish Ski Resort Suspends its Upcoming Season

The Nevis Range is to stop the sale of season passes and will not be opening the resort at the start of the season. It blames Covid-19 with growing uncertainty over restrictions. Others are reviewing their positions with Glencoe saying it will open as planned in December.

Snow Falls as More US Ski Resorts Open

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter is on its way in the USA. More resorts in Colorado have opened this week and the first ski area to open in California fired up some lifts on Friday. UPDATED

Zermatt Wins Again

It has been crowned the best ski resort in the Alps.  Here at PlanetSKI we can only agree. It remains our personal favourite for a variety of reasons.

Italian Ski Areas Go into Lockdown

The Aosta Valley, Piedmont and Lombardy have been declared “Red Zones”. People can only leave their homes for essential reasons and skiing is not one of them. Covid-19 is surging in many parts of Italy as winter approaches.

Cairngorm Funicular Repairs Underway

Engineering works designed to get the mountain railway at the Scottish ski area up and running for next winter are starting this week.

French Ski Resorts Close & Delay Openings as Country Goes Into Second Lockdown

The glacier ski resorts of Tignes and Les2Alpes are closing at the end of today. Val Thorens and Val d’Isere have cancelled their openings in late November. We have all the news and latest reaction.

Les3Vallees This Winter

Ski areas often claim to have something for everyone but the largest linked ski area in the world really does.  Here’s what to expect in Les3Vallees resorts in the Savoie region of the French Alps this ski season.

Some Ski Resorts in Italy Remain Open

Normally four resorts are able to offer skiing and snowboarding at this time of year. After crowded scenes in Cervinia the national government ordered them to close except to racers and professional skiers. Some though claim autonomous powers.

Cervinia Opens then Closes After Alleged Crowded Scenes

The Italian resort opened for autumn skiing on Saturday 24th October. Then on Sunday it announced it was closing temporarily after an Emergency Decree from the Italian government. Some claim crowded scenes at the resort are to blame. UPDATED

US Ski Resorts Open

Wolf Creek is first ski resort out of the blocks in Colorado after recent heavy snow. Last weekend Mt Norquay in Canada opened and now Lake Louise is about to fire up its lifts. The season is underway in North America.

Cervinia Opens This Weekend

The Italian glacier resort in the Aosta Valley is the latest to fire up its lifts for autumn. Conditions are good with full Covid-19 restrictions in place. NEW

French Ski Area Using Drone To Help Save Lives

Three resorts in Les3Vallees in the French Alps will this winter have access to a high-powered drone that has already proved its worth in mountain rescues.

Isere Beckons for This Coming Winter

Located in the heart of the beautiful French Alps, Isère is France’s third biggest mountain destination. So, what’s on offer?

More for Morzine in 2020/21 ski season

The French resort in the heart of the mighty Portes du Soleil that straddles France and Switzerland has some new initiatives for this coming season. With full Covid-19 precautions in place.

Les3Vallees Could See a 20% Fall in Skiers This Winter

The largest lift-connected ski area in the world is bracing itself for a significant drop in the number of skiers and snowboarders.

Cairngorm Ski Area Gets £20.5m Funding Boost

The Scottish ski area near Aviemore is to get more than £20 million to improve the snowsports centre. Most of it will go on repairing the troubled funicular mountain railway.

Tirol Unveils Plans For A Safe Winter

The huge Austrian ski region, which has some of the most famous resorts in Europe, has announced its plans to try to ensure skiers and snowboarders stay safe this coming season.

$250,000 Reward as Cables Cut Again on Gondola

The Sea-to-Sky gondola at the Canadian resort of Squamish has had its cables deliberately cut causing gondolas to plunge to the ground. It’s put the lift out of action as winter approaches. It was vandalised in the same way last year.

Morzine Unveils Covid-19 Plans for Next Winter

The French resort is the latest to reveal its policies and comes after a busy summer season with measures taken and lessons learnt. So, what will next winter look like?

Legal Action Launched After Covid-19 Cases in Austrian Ski Resorts

The VSV consumer association in Austria has launched a class action lawsuit. 6,000 skiers and snowboarders have contacted VSV believing to have caught Covid-19 in a ski resort. UPDATED

Arlberg Ski Area Announces Covid-19 Policy for its Lift System

The resort of St Anton is the main one in the Arlberg and it saw a significant outbreak.  PlanetSKI was in the resort as it shut back in March and we report on how the lifts will operate next winter.

Handful of European Ski Resorts Prepare to Open

Stubai, Pitztal and Kaunertal in the Tirol plan to fire up their first lifts by the end of September. Then its Ruka and Levi in Finland. It will be a somewhat different experience with Covid-19 restrictions. UPDATED

New Ski Run for Courchevel

Details of the new black run have been unveiled and it seems PlanetSKI readers are itching to give it a go and test their ability. Are you up for it?

Covid-19 Restrictions at English Ski Area Next Winter

We’ve heard from the mighty Vail Resorts, looked at other resorts in the Alps & kept across developments in the southern hemisphere over summer. But what about closer to home? Yad Moss in the Pennines to be precise.

Squaw Valley Ski Area to Change ‘Racist and Sexist’ Name

The California ski resort is to drop the ‘derogatory and offensive’ name following extensive research and consultation with Native American Groups. UPDATED

Next Winter Will Be ‘Old School’ Ski Experience

So says the boss of the Aspen Skiing Co, Mike Kaplan.  He’s been outlining plans for the new ski season and what will change thanks to Covid-19. UPDATED

Piste Patroller dies in Argentine Avalanche

The resort of Cerro Catedral opened last week amid covid-19 restrictions. Another man was injured in the accident. It was the only resort open in South America and we have been following conditions. The resort remains closed.

Two Resorts in Australia Close Due to Covid-19 Spike

Falls Creek and Mt Hotham in Victoria have closed after local restrictions have been put in place and the border with the neighbouring state of New South Wales is shut. Could similar openings and closures happen in Europe next winter?

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