Ski lifts to start turning in Austria

Skiing under the cloud of Covid: Austrian resorts like St Anton will look very different this Christmas
Skiing will be allowed in Austria from 24 December, but limited to locals only with hotels ordered to remain closed.
The news was announced yesterday by the Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, speaking at a press conference at the end of a second lockdown in the country which has not curbed the coronavirus infection rate as much as officials hoped. However, he said ski lifts could open but hospitality venues — including bars and restaurants as well as accommodation — would remain closed until 7 January.
“From December 24, individual sports outdoors such as skiing will be possible again so that the Austrian population has the chance to engage in sporting activity over the holidays,” said Kurz, acknowledging that the economy needs to start to reopen and that ski lifts drive the €1.5 billion winter sports economy.
Elsewhere in Europe, French ski resorts are revolting against the government’s decision to keep lifts closed — with some 1,500 protestors gathering in Bourg d’Oisans yesterday. But the government is likely to stand firm, with President Macron yesterday announcing random border checks to stop French skiers travelling further afield to take advantage of open resorts in neighbouring countries.
Switzerland has so far remained resolute in its plans to open ski resorts for Christmas but this week further proposals by the Federal Council for tightening Covid measures have been leaked to the press. An official announcement will be made tomorrow but tighter restrictions include curbing the number of skiers on mountains in any given day, further rules on mask wearing for trains, buses and ski lifts, and possible closures depending on infection rates and hospital capacity.
An updated on skiing in Italy — which is currently paused — is expected any time from the Italian government. Ski resorts in Spain are open.
Recent news
-
Dolomites join the opening of non-glacier Alpine resorts
25 Nov 2022 There are quite a few glacier resorts… -
We’re all going on a ...
20 Jul 2022 With the editorial Apple Macs melting… -
Para ski and snowboard sports join FIS
13 Jul 2022 Para skiing, para snowboarding… -
More resorts added to the ski train
12 Jul 2022 TravelSki Express, which operates… -
Chemmy Alcott wears her rubbish in eco stunt
7 Jul 2022 Olympic skier and TV presenter… -
Val d’Isère remains closed for summer skiing
1 Jul 2022 While the southern hemisphere’s… -
Ski mountaineering added to Winter Olympics
29 Jun 2022 The sport of ski mountaineering… -
Sunshine Village opens for Canada Day
27 Jun 2022 Massive snow levels this week in… -
Direct ski train on sale today
8 Jun 2022 Tickets have gone on sale for the… -
Bumper start to Australian ski season
6 Jun 2022 The ski season in Australia has…