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.
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News
Inferno races in Murren cancelled because of covid restrictions
The popular Inferno Downhill and Cross Country ski races in Switzerland, which are open to all comers and attracts entrants from all over the world, have been cancelled this season because of Covid.
The 78th International Inferno Races in Murren were to take place from 20 – 23 January 2021 but the restrictions on major events put in place by the authorities due to the pandemic means the races cannot be held.
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.
Eagles fly in to take part in the official opening of the Eiger Express
Jungfrau Railways, Switzerland’s largest mountain railway company, performed the official opening of the V-Cableway on Friday 4 December which will now provide a quicker and more comfortable journey to the winter sports area around Eigergletscher and Kleine Scheidegg, as well as to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.
Donate your winter clothing to the homeless and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of goggles
Specialist ski tour operator Erna Low has come up with a plan to find a new home for some of your clothes which will help keep someone warm this winter – and could win you a prize.
To help the homeless community stay warm as winter temperatures start to dip, Erna Low is encouraging people to donate any good quality, used winter clothing that they no longer need.
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.
‘We won’t give up’ says Les 2 Alpes – resort holds protest against closure of French ski areas
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.
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.
Ski Fit Sunday – Zoom in on a new free weekend workout with Ellis Brigham
News that ski resorts already opening in the Alps and Scotland is getting skiers and snowboarders excited about heading for the slopes despite the current covid restrictions.
The current lockdown is a great opportunity to get fit for skiing and snowboarding at home and Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports is offering free weekly virtual Ski Fit classes starting this Sunday (8 November) at 10am.
How do you choose your favourite ski resort? Alf Alderson had to select 100 of them for his new book
Alf Alderson describes how he went about choosing his 100 ‘favourite’ ski spots for his new book ‘Ultimate Ski Experiences’.
“We’d like you to write a book about your hundred favourite ski resorts – around 500 words on each,” said my publisher Tim. “Oh, and can you provide pics too…”
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.
Switzerland’s popular Inferno race set to go ahead in January 2021 with a Covid Plan B in place
by Lulu Sheard
The 2021 International Inferno Race in Mürren look set go ahead despite Covid after a recent announcement by the Swiss Government. On 12 August 2020, the government stated that events with more than 1,000 people would be able to resume from the beginning of October.
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.
Squaw Valley in California to change name because of ‘derogatory and offensive’ term
The Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows ski area in North Lake Tahoe, California, has announced it is looking for a new name after deciding it is time to drop ‘squaw’ as the resort’s owners believe it is a derogatory and offensive term.
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.