Where to Ski And Snowboard - French ski resorts remain closed

French ski resorts remain closed

10th January 2021, by Abi Butcher

Ski resorts in France, such as Val d'Isére (above), remain closed until at least February

While Italy and Austria have delayed the opening of their ski resorts to tourists until mid-January at the earliest, last week the French government said coronavirus infection rates in France remain too high to contemplate opening at this stage.

At a press conference last Thursday evening (7 January), ministers said they would next reassess the situation on 20 January, but that ski resorts might not open until February — and possibly not until the middle of the month. The decision follows a rise in infections following the Christmas and New Year break.

The announcement was one of the prompts for chalet operator Le Ski to decide not to operate at all this season — along with the fact that leisure travel is currently banned under UK lockdown restrictions.

Ski resorts in France are currently open, though not operating lifts to their pistes. Other activities — including ski touring and cross-country skiing — are continuing, which means they are seeing some business but the loss of the French half-term trade will be viewed as catastrophic.

France on Wednesday recorded 25,379 new Covid-19 cases over the previous 24 hours, up from 20,489 the preceding day, with hospital intensive care wards admitted another 234 patients.