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Quickly forgetting the current season, airline Jet2.com has issued its list of flight destinations for next season, adding Chambery to its line-up of ski destination airports, which already include existing ski flights to Switzerland, Austria, other options in France, Italy and the Pyrenees. The airline operates out of ten UK bases, including new choice Bristol Airport.

Jet2 say they are offering 10% off all ski flights booked on or before 31st March.

The addition of Chambery means all being well Jet2.com will operate ski flights to seven European ski airports next winter, the others being: Geneva, Grenoble, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Turin and Barcelona (Andorra).

The new services to Chambery will operate weekly (Saturday) from Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and London Stansted Airports and twice-weekly from Manchester Airport (Saturday and Sunday) from mid-December to mid-April.

The company's Winter 21/22 ski programme also includes seven other new ski routes - Geneva from Newcastle and Glasgow, Innsbruck from Bristol and Edinburgh, Grenoble from Bristol and Salzburg from Bristol and Newcastle.

The launch of the new routes to Innsbruck from Bristol and Edinburgh and an additional service from Manchester means the airline has doubled its programme to this popular Austrian ski destination for Winter 21/22.

Jet2.com's full ski programme, in addition to Chambery, for Winter 21/22 is as follows:

• Geneva – ski flights on sale from eight UK bases (Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted and Manchester) as well brand-new routes from Newcastle and Glasgow.

• Salzburg – ski flights on sale from nine UK bases (Belfast International, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted and Manchester) as well as a brand-new routes from Newcastle and Bristol.

• Grenoble - on sale from Birmingham, Bristol (new route), London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle.

• Turin - services available from Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester.

• Innsbruck – programme doubled in size for W21/22 with skiers and snowboarders able to access the Tyrolean capital from Birmingham, Bristol (new route), Edinburgh (new route), London Stansted and Manchester (new Sunday service).

• Barcelona – with ski flights on sale from Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford.

"Booking and travelling on ski flights with Jet2.com means customers get to enjoy VIP customer service which has seen the UK's third largest airline win numerous awards and accolades, as well as 10kg hand luggage and 22kg baggage* and 22kg ski carriage* (*charges apply)" a company statement reads.

Ski destinations by base for Winter 21/22:

• Belfast International – Salzburg
• Birmingham – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Turin and Barcelona (Andorra)
• Bristol – Chambery, Grenoble, Innsbruck and Salzburg
• East Midlands – Geneva and Salzburg
• Edinburgh – Geneva, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Turin
• Glasgow – Geneva
• Leeds Bradford – Chambery, Geneva, Salzburg and Barcelona (Andorra)
• London Stansted – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck and Salzburg
• Manchester – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Turin and Barcelona (for Andorra)
• Newcastle – Geneva, Grenoble and Salzburg

A year on from the first lockdown last March, which saw ski holiday companies in some cases struggling to refund skiers whose bookings had to be cancelled, and a few companies going bust, many are now reporting booming advanced sales for next winter.

Most are crediting the British government's announcements that travel will be possible at some point in the summer, with some saying people still wary of booking a summer 2021 trip feel confident that by next winter travel MUST be nearer to normal, surely?

"We continue to see high booking numbers for next winter across the Hotelplan UK ski programme and this is reflected in our booking numbers, with 2021/22 ski sales 75% up on the same time last year," said the CEO of Hotelplan UK, the company which runs Inghams, Ski Total and Esprit holidays Joe Ponte.

Companies are stressing that these sales are not all down to bookings rolled-over from one or two previous winters, although these are playing a big part in reduced capacity availability for next winter.

"Bookings have quadrupled for the 2021/22 ski season – with more than half being brand-new bookings, not just deferrals. School holidays are still the most popular, especially New Year and Easter, however, we're also seeing January and March being very much sought after too. Ski France offers flexible arrivals and stays throughout the season, which works really well, especially as Christmas falls on a Saturday this year. As we begin to see that travel will be possible again, we can't wait to welcome the British clients back to our accommodation," said Joanna Laforge, Group Commercial Director of Ski France.

Another tour operator, Le Ski, described current booking levels as "stratospheric" and said they had already sold 50% of their inventory, with 8% of it selling in just five days last week and estimating that they could have completely sold out all 35 of their chalets for all of next season by June if things continue at the current rate. They said they were running out of seats on flights in both high and what are traditionally low seasons.

Demand for chalet holiday is reported to be particularly high and with capacity down by an estimated 70% because of cut backs by big companies like TUI and Hoteplan, partly due to Brexit and partly the virus, and some small companies going bust in the pandemic, holiday prices are reported to be up and availability down.

Ukraine's biggest resort of Bukovel has been shut down following a spike in virus infections in recent weeks. Only people living locally are allowed to move around within the resort.

The resort has been declared a 'red zone' for infections with cases reported to be currently rising there.

"It was decided to terminate the activities of the Bukovel resort. Tourists will not be able to visit it. If you are a tourist, then you must understand that you are not going to Bukovel," said Andriy Boichuk, the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration.

Other ski areas that have been hit by COVID outbreaks this winter include Big White in BC, Winter Park in Colorado, Nakiska in Alberta, Stowe in Vermont and St Moritz and Wengen in Switzerland.

However in all cases it is believed the outbreaks were contained within individual buildings within the resorts – usually staff accommodation or hotels and resorts have carried on operating.

Big White recently celebrated no infections being announced having peaked at around 100 in staff accommodation earlier in the year.

Small, family-run hotels may re-open in April at Austrian ski areas if the country's government allows them to do so after Easter, according to Obertauern ski area in Salzburgerland.

The ski area, one of the country's most snowsure and traditionally having one of the longest ski-seasons in the Alps, from November to early-May, says even if the Austrian government do allow hotels to re-open in Austria, it will be too late for this season for most ski areas in the country, which naturally close by then anyway.

In an online statement the resort also points out that larger hotels are not expected to open even at glacier ski resorts and those with long ski seasons, because it won't be viable for them to start up for such a short period in what is traditionally very low season.

But it does say small, family-run hotels and pensions will open if they can, and points out the current Austrian government plan, if the stats are good with the pandemic by the end of this month, is for outdoor restaurant dining to be allowed to reopen from the end of March. The government has said some testing of diners will be required but has not yet specified how that will work.

Obertauern, which would normally stay open to around the first weekend of May, has said it plans to stay open until at least Sunday, April 11, 2021, a week after Easter.

"After that, limited skiing is possible. Whether this will take place or whether several cable cars will be in operation for longer depends on the government's opening steps for restaurants and hotels," the resort says.

Disclaimer: This news story is based on speculation by an Austrian ski resort as to one possible scenario post Easter. It is published for general interest and information. It should not be read as implying many people living outside Austria will be allowed to travel to Austria in April if the speculated events do come to pass.

Some Swiss ski areas are already posting up to a metre of snowfall as a major snowstorm gets underway in the Alps.

Initially ski areas in France and Western Switzerland are posting the biggest accumulations in the first 24-48 hours, but the snow is expected to get heavier further east in to Austria over the next few days.

Salvan - Les Marécottes has posted 1032cm of fresh snowfall to date with resorts on the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil region, which, unlike the French side, is open, have had 67cm (over two feet) of snow so far.

The storm looks set to be the largest since early January and is expected to continue through much of the week ahead.

Some ski areas in Austria and Switzerland have already announced they're shutting down until at least Thursday due predominantly to the gale force winds expected along with the heavy snowfall.

Ski lifts in France and Italy remain closed as part of their governments' response to the pandemic.

After a promising start of the season, in terms of snowfall, there has not be much fresh snowfall in the Alps for several months, although most ski areas, open and closed, report plenty of cover and generally good conditions.

Until this weekend no resort in the Alps had reached a 5 metre accumulated base – unusual as usually at least one has reached 6 metres (20 feet) by the start of spring. However Engelberg has just gone through the 5 metre mark and has an upper slope base of 505cm.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Disclaimer: This news story is intended for information purposes only. It does not imply it is possible/legal to get to these ski areas at present from wherever you are in the world. It is also not intended to cause distress.

The new owners of Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah have already announced plans for lift upgrades next season.

Sundance was established by actor and keen skier Robert Redford in 1969 but was put on the market last December after more than five decades of ownership by the Hollywood great.

The "new ownership group" say resort improvement work will begin this spring for the 2021-2022 winter season and include two new lifts, upgraded and enhanced snowmaking, additional parking, and Creekside building renovations.

Sundance has a reputation for its authentic atmosphere and values beyond those that have seen the rapid expansion of many Western North American ski areas, so the new owners are keen to stress that,

"These improvements come with considerable thought and desire to preserve existing land and traditions while providing an enhanced experience to each guest. The new ownership group is committed to the vision and legacy of Robert Redford and the sustainability of Sundance Mountain Resort."

The resort's old Rays lift will be replaced with a Doppelmayr high-speed quad providing access to the Mandan Summit from the base, providing access to intermediate and advanced terrain via 7-minute ride. The lift will also include a mid-station unload for novice skiers.

"I have wonderful memories of skiing the beautiful terrain of Mandan Summit on the old chairlift until 1995. We are thrilled for the addition of a new, high-speed quad that will restore access to these amazing runs and views," said resort President and General Manager, Chad Linebaugh.

An additional fixed-grip quad will provide access to the backside of the Mandan Summit, primarily to be used for summer activities.

Upgraded and enhanced snowmaking will also be added, including a snowmaking reservoir. These improvements will allow for additional snow guns and the ability to open more terrain early in the season, the resort says.

Details have been announced of the reconstruction of Selwyn Snow Resort in Australia, which was largely destroyed in the catastrophic bushfires that engulfed parts of the country a few months before the pandemic hit last year.

The resort's operators the Blyton Group have signed a 40-year lease agreement with NSW National Parks to ensure viability of the investments which will include a new guest visitor centre, bigger than its predecessor, doubled snowmaking capacity, lift upgrades, an expanded snow sports learning area, a new snow play wonderland and what's promised to be "Australia's premier toboggan park" as well as a tubing carousel, skating rink, kids' skidoos and a miniature enchanted village.

"For decades Selwyn Snow Resort has hosted family skiing and snowboarding adventures, and when it was lost in the fires it was a devastating blow to locals and avid skiers Australia wide," said Deputy Premier John Barilaro adding, "The work started now will deliver modern infrastructure to transform the Selwyn Snow Resort we've known and loved into a truly world-class family snow park, that accommodates more visitors from a range of backgrounds and directly creates local tourism industry jobs."

Work has already started but it has not yet been announced whether Selwyn will open this coming winter, or when it will plan to if not.

"Our significant investment over the next five years will see the resort transformed and deliver a better experience for the snow play, ski and snowboard community," said Kevin Blyton who runs the resort

.

A number of US ski resorts have announced that their 20-21 ski season will continue in to May.

Breckenridge in Colorado has said they'll be staying open this year, conditions permitting, to Monday May 31st, the Memorial Day public holiday in the US. This is in line with a policy to stay open to the start of June each season the resort announced some years ago now. Last year it could have reopened at the end of May after the March/April first lockdown in the USA but owners Vail resorts decided not to.

Up in Washington State, Crystal Mountain, another resort where spring skiing in the norm say they will stay open on weekdays until Sunday, April 18th, the previously announced end of the season, but then reopen for three Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until May 9th.

"The winter of 20/21 has been a different kind of season for Crystal Mountain. On the one hand we've had early and consistent snowfall, already more than 365" with over six weeks left still. On the other, Crystal and its guests have had to adjust to safely manage our way through the pandemic. From making reservations and mobile food ordering to wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing," said President and COO of Crystal Mountain Resort Frank DeBerry.

"If this year has taught us anything, it has been to see things like flexibility and patience, slowing the pace down, and keeping an open mind as virtues," said DeBerry.