France Closes All Ski Resorts

A new French government order this evening seems to make it inevitable that all of the country's ski areas must close due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The new directive orders most businesses in France to close including all "non-essential services."

Only a few hours ago leading French resorts were reassuring skiers that they had no plans to close and with this being 'changeover day' new arrivals in French resorts were getting ready to ski tomorrow. However the ban begins at midnight tonight.

The move is very similar to that seen in Austria and Switzerland in the past 48 hours, where changes in government legislation led to mass resort closures.

With ski areas also closed in Andorra, Italy, Norway and Spain as well as the Czech Republic, Poland and the Slovak Republic the countries where ski areas are still open is rapidly diminishing.

However ski areas are currently expected to open next week in Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Japan, Scotland and Sweden.

Most resorts are also open in the US, although some have closed, but the US has closed its borders to European skiers and boarders.

We had Austria cancelled Friday morning where offered Val d isere the same day, flew out Saturday morning with reassurances that 5he report was open by the French authorities. Just stocked up our apartment with food bought our ski passes to find out a few hours later the resort is closed. I hope we get refunded, it's anarchy out here.

Just back from Alpe d'Huez last night and feel for everyone who has just arrived in France, or had planned late season trips and also the thousands of resort staff and business owners and their staff.

I saw some comments earlier in the week that resorts were taking precautions to halt the spread of coronavirus. I can only speak for Alpe d'Huez, but I saw no evidence of that anywhere on the mountain or in the shops, bars and restaurants.

Why this decision wasn't taken on Friday is bloody ridiculous.

daleroberts wrote:I hope we get refunded, it's anarchy out here.

Ugh, that sucks - although it seems the tourist offices are refunding lift passes quickly. Hope your "repatriation" goes smoothly!

Heartbreaking, anyone know of any other option(s) to go skiing this year once this PANIC has died down ?

Admin wrote:

daleroberts wrote:I hope we get refunded, it's anarchy out here.

Ugh, that sucks - although it seems the tourist offices are refunding lift passes quickly. Hope your "repatriation" goes smoothly!

They are getting us back on coaches to the uk. TUI say no planes to take us. At least we are on hour way back to the UK.

Why did France wait until after change over day. The rest of Europe closed in time to avoid wasted journeys.
We were lucky in that our week was Sunday to Sunday but we sore lots of people arrive in LaTania on Saturday.