September 21, 2021
The government is encouraging the introduction of ski vacation packages in France this winter. Other skiing nations in Europe already have restrictions in place or planned for the winter. NEW
The French government says it would reassure those who book a ski vacation and for local residents who fear visitors may unintentionally bring Covid-19 with them.
The Secretary of State for Tourism discussed options with ski resort representatives this week.
“I don’t see why we wouldn’t have a winter season. We have opened the nightclubs and I do not see why we could not reopen the chairlifts and gondolas “, the Minister for Tourism, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, told France Inter.
The health pass may be compulsory for the purchase of a ski pass and check-in to accommodation.
“The health pass has proven its effectiveness because it allows you to practice activities in complete health security”, added the Minister.
“This is very important, because there is a public demand for health reinsurance, and then it has shown that it can also be combined with good maintenance of turnover.”
The government wants ski resorts to implement the policy themselves, rather than being ordered to do so by the government.
Val Thorens, France. Image © PlanetSKI.
Last season, the Paris government ordered ski resorts to close their ski lifts, but some infrastructure such as hotels were able to open.
The president of the ski area of ​​France, Alexandre Maulin, said that a system for next winter could be very simple.
For example, people who have fulfilled the conditions for vaccination and screening could be given a colored bracelet, similar to those already used in Club Hotels in France during the summer.
The sanitary pass (sanitary passport) is currently used in France and is required for a number of places, including bars, cafes, cinemas, tourist sites and long-distance train travel.
People must show proof of vaccination, recent recovery from Covid, or a recent negative Covid test.
The pass was introduced in June and from August 9 it was extended to other places and locations.
Austria has also recently extended its rules and restrictions.
Austria will require protective masks and COVID-19 passes for ski lift use this winter.
“This year there will certainly be winter holidays in Austria. We have developed strict rules for a safe winter, â€said Tourism Minister Elisabeth Koestinger.
Skiers will need to wear face masks on closed ski lifts such as cable cars and gondolas and show they have been vaccinated, tested, or recovered from COVID-19 when booking a lift ticket.
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FFP2 mask on the ski slopes of Austria
A health pass will probably be necessary for the après ski bars as they will be classified as discotheques.
“There will be no après-ski like before the pandemic,” said Tyrolean Governor Guenther Platter.
After skiing in Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Switzerland has a similar requirement.
Italy has already ordered all people working in ski resorts to get vaccinated.
Here at PlanetSKI, we’ll be reporting all the rules, restrictions and changes as they happen so you can make an informed choice about skiing and snowboarding this coming winter.
Stay tuned…
Image © PlanetSKI
