“This Winter, We Will Ski!” France Will Open Ski Resorts This Winter and Will Not Require Covid Pass to Ride Lifts

With the ski season only weeks away, the Secretary of State for Tourism in France gave ski areas a boost by announcing that they will be allowed to open this season, and a ‘health pass’ will not be required to board ski lifts––at least not yet anyway.

In a speech on Friday, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, said, “the message is very clear: This winter, we will ski!”. 

“We have to go all out and we’ll have a good season. There is a desire for the great outdoors, and this is an opportunity to win back certain clients who have moved away from skiing, particularly in France.”

– Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne

The COVID-19 health pass has been in use in France since July and is proof that its holder has either been fully vaccinated, tested negative recently or has recovered from the disease over the previous six months. It is currently required to visit bars, restaurants, cultural and leisure venues, attend large events, or use long-distance public transport. In his speech Mr. Lemoyne said it would not be required to board ski lifts, although that could change if covid cases suddenly rise.

“The health pass is not required at the moment so we will start the season like that. And then we touch wood. I hope that the season will go well and that the pandemic will remain under control. If there was damage, we may have to talk again. But we know that whatever happens is coming, we can stay open.”

– Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne

Ski areas welcomed the decision claiming that health passes at resorts would be ‘unmanageable’.

Mr. Lemoyne “did not think masks were necessary” due to the fact that “more than 80% of the eligible population are vaccinated and the incidence rate is below 50 pretty much everywhere”.

French ski resorts did not open last season, costing the country €8-billion and 400,000 jobs, according to Laurent Wauquiez, president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Austrian and Italian ski resorts will require a health pass if skiers wish to ride the ski lifts at their resorts.

• Related: Guests Will Require Covid Pass and Masks to Ride Lifts at Austrian and Italian Ski Resorts This Winter