Industry News
The much-hoped-for reopening of ski resorts in France has been delayed yet again due to covid-19. The Tourism Minister told the industry that this winter would be a write-off.
The government announced yesterday that ski lifts would not be allowed to open from February 1, a date given by the government for a possible easing of restrictions, and a “reopening in mid- or late-February seems highly improbable.”
France is not currently under lockdown. Ski resorts as destinations remain open for people to visit and stay in hotels, but lifts are not turning and restaurants remain closed. Snowshoeing, and cross-country are available, and many skiers have been uphill skiing at the resorts.
France has kept lifts at its resorts closed since the end of the last national lockdown in early December.
Over the weekend, the Italian government announced their ski resorts were to remain closed until 15th February – at least.
A similar situation is affecting German ski resorts. A post on the Zugspitze Glacier homepage reads:
We would have loved to announce the imminent opening of the ski area today! However, due to the persistently high number of infections, we have to postpone the start of the season again. We hope that we will finally be able to start skiing in our areas in February and are thinking about a possible extension of the season if Ms. Holle will continue to be friendly to us in spring 2021.
France is reporting 2,965,117 covid-19 cases and 71,652 deaths with covid.
