Where to Ski And Snowboard - Relief as France lifts UK travel ban

Relief as France lifts UK travel ban

13th January 2022, by Abi Butcher

Relief across the French Alps that British skiers will be allowed back this weekend

Ski companies have spoken of their relief and delight that France has this morning confirmed it will lift restrictions tomorrow, in time for skiers to travel this weekend.

In a televised announcement at 0830 GMT today (13 January), French Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said restrictions against non-essential travel from the UK will be dropped tomorrow morning. A negative test taken within 24 hours of travel is required and while there is no official clarification on whether this is PCR or antigen, the latter is currently required for business travel, which was relaxed earlier this week.

The travel ban was put in place on 16 December, ruining thousands of peoples’ Christmas and New Year plans and putting immense strain on businesses both sides of the Channel.

Ceri Tinley, managing director of Consensio Chalets which manages a portfolio of catered and self-catered chalets across the Alps described the news as “a relief”.

She told Where to Ski & Snowboard: “We are delighted that we are able to welcome our guests to our chalets this weekend after the French announced relaxed travel restrictions from the UK from tomorrow. Our guests and chalet teams have been very patiently waiting for this news and we cannot wait to welcome them back.”

Felix Hemsley, marketing director of Oxford Ski Company, said: “The lifting of these travel restrictions has been a long time coming, so of course, we are thrilled to have unfettered access to the French Alps once again.

“We have heard of the anguish of operators in-resort as they lambasted the local government, urging them to open sooner in order to welcome UK guests back into their properties, so for them and clients alike, this will come with a great sigh of relief.

“For us here at Oxford Ski Company, we can’t wait for our guests to hit the slopes this weekend after what has felt like an eternity. Perhaps the restrictions should have been lifted sooner, however, we’re not here to gauge political tactics, we just want to help clients return to the mountains across the Alps this winter.”