J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Although the 2019-20 season finished nearly two months early, up at Val Thorens at least, the world's largest ski region, Les 3 Vallées has opted to publish its season dates for next winter early, to give skiers something to look forward to.

Val Thorens (pictured top earlier this month) will be the first part of the region to open, on Saturday 21st November, although the region notes that that date is, "depending on snow conditions," …reminding us that used to be something we worried about in the distant days back before coronavirus. Orelle will open a week later on November 28th.

Most of the rest of the vast region including most of Courchevel, Méribel and Les Menuires will open a fortnight later on Saturday, 5th December 2020, which is also the official 3 Valleys opening date for next season.

La Tania, Brides-les-Bains and Val Thorens will open a week later on the 12th.

Hopefully winter 20-21 will run more smoothly than this one and resorts will stay open through to the planned 3 Valleys closing date of April 23rd,2021

Val Thorens and Orelle will be the final sector to close on Sunday 9th May, 2021.

The last ski area open in North America closed on Tuesday as the battle to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic gathered momentum in the US.

The last ski area to be open in Canada, Hudson Bay Resort in BC, closed Sunday and 49 Degrees North, not so far away by the vast scales of the North American Continent, in Washington State just south of the US border, closed on Tuesday.

Both, like many ski areas that stayed open until recently in North America, Scotland and Finland – and are still open in Sweden and Japan – had been arguing they had put social-distancing and other anti-virus-spread measures in places and that skiing was a healthy activity.

But both eventually conceded they had to close on advice from regional government and health bodies.

Another area, Teton Pass in Montana (pictured above), opens Friday to Sunday and at the end of last weekend had said they planned to re-open tomorrow (Friday 27th March) for the weekend, but announced late yesterday that they wouldn't be doing.

For most North American resorts this will mean the 2019-20 season is over, and many have said so officially now, but some have said they would like to re-open in late May or June if the situation improves as fast as it has in China, where the lockdown lasted just under two months and ski areas are now re-opening.

Killington in Vermont and Breckenridge in Colorado as well as Whistler in Canada are among areas that may re-open depending on how things go.

In the meantime Canada and the US are now seeing a similar issue to Europe with an increase in the number of people going out ski touring. This is having a mixed response with the same arguments against it, on the grounds that it's irresponsible due to the risk of injury when all medical resources should be focused on fighting the virus.

Some resorts are stressing their slopes cannot or should not be used for touring and the state of Vermont has now made an official advisory against active recreation in the mountains under any circumstances and Colorado last night issued a "stay at home" order meaning outdoor recreation of all kinds is not allowed there either. Some other states and ski areas so far seem happy for it to continue and are even actively encouraging it though.

A number of indoor and outdoor Chinese ski areas are reported to have begun re-opening as the country seeks to gradually resume normal operations after announcing a huge drop in the number of new COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks.

The Chinese ski season actually ends at most resorts in the country by the end of March, so many areas are not bothering to try to re-open for what would be the final few days, possibly weeks of the season. Some are though, with the now common social-distancing and other precautionary measures in place.

Yabuli, one of the country's longest established but best-known ski areas has re-opened however.

Skiers returned to the slopes yesterday (22nd March), two months after the country's national lock down to fight the virus began in January.

But it now has strict admission procedures including the need for skiers and boarders to receive certification that they do not have the virus. This proof needs to be submitted and a lift ticket, one of a limited number available daily, at least 24 hours in advance of the 'ski day.' The main ski hotel is also reported to have reopened, but has strictly limited numbers for guests and everyone is advised to wear a medical face mask on the slopes.

Only skiers coming from areas determined 'low risk' within China are allowed to apply and all must await a text message after they have submitted documentation and payment to see if their application to ski has been successful.

Nevis Range have said they're closed now as of Saturday 21st March, Cairngorm say they're closing at the end of tomorrow (March 22nd), the other three centres continue to operate (ski lifts only) as far as I can see.

Although there's no certainty that Norway's summer ski areas will be able to open for the season this year, they are preparing their slopes in case they can, at some point.

The Fonna Glacier posted this picture this morning of crews clearing the access road to the glacier, one of three in the country.

Fonna, along with the Stryn and Galdhoppigen ski centres usually open in late Spring and have summer seasons of varying lengths, from just a few months to right through to mid-autumn.

Although it has been a poor season for snow in many parts of Scandinavia, some areas in the north and west of the region are posting their deepest snow for more than 20 years.

Riksgransen, which only opened for the season three weeks ago, and normally aims to stay open to late June, has the deepest snow in the world of a 'still open' ski area at present with more than 4.5 metres (15 feet) lying.

All ski areas in Norway are currently closed. Ski areas in Sweden remain open although with lots of restrictions on their operations connected with the effort to combat the spread of coronavirus.

In Finland ski areas are still open but began announcing late yesterday but began announcing yesterday that they plan to close next weekend after a number of positive coronavirus cases identified in the country were linked to several ski resorts there.

Chock wrote:The Indoor Skiing 'Fridge' Venues (like the 'SnowDome' in Tamworth) are still open in the UK... Subject to change.

Just read Tamworth is now closing but not checked on the other five...

***Since this story was written all five centres announced on Saturday 1st March that their seasons are over and that they will not re-open on the 22nd March ***

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the operation of the world's ski resorts. Most have now closed as the governments of ski nations try to slow the spread of the virus. However in generally more northerly locations – Finland, Japan, Sweden, a few remaining spots in Canada and the Northern US ...and Scotland, the lifts are still turning.

It's quite a turn-around for Scottish centres which have, at times, in recent years struggled to open due to warm weather. Now they are having a decent run of weather and have most slopes open, but their operation is threatened by the virus.

All five Highland centres say they are keeping up with Scottish and British government advice and could close at any time as this advice is updated.

They are all taking measures to increase cleanliness in common areas and advising social distancing.

The weather can always be a factor in the operation of the slopes too, with strong winds closing lifts a perennial problem, but recent days have seen calmer conditions, sunshine and sometimes perfect conditions.
Glenshee has even opened one lift for the first time this season.

There's been fresh snow too with Glencoe reporting up to nine inches (23cm) of snowfall overnight.

How long can they keep operating? Well the short answer is no one knows. Glencoe have said they might make I through to the planned end of the season in early May if not sopped from operating, which seems more likely.

Glenshee say in the short term they hope to stay open this weekend and review whether to continue to operate from Monday.

easyJet have started selling flights for next winter early and at a fixed price of £29.99 on all routes including taxes and fees.

These are of course unprecedented times in the ski and travel trades and no one knows how things will look next winter yet, but easyJet say they are trying to help people see a way through the current problems.

The fixed price tickets (rather than the usual "from…" prices) are available in peak February half term and New year weeks as well as all other ski season dates on all routes up to 28th February 2021, the airline says.

Those unable to travel over the remainder of this season should be able to transfer their flights to next winter with flight change fees waived, the company says.

"We've taken the decision to put our flights for the winter season on sale today in order to support customers as much as possible during this time. For the first time flights will also go on sale with a flat fee of £29.99 including taxes and charges. Customers are also able to change their existing plans should they need to, or book a new break, with the reassurance that a change fee will not be applied," said Robert Carey, easyJet Chief Commercial Officer.

Tickets are on sale at the fixed price until midnight on 24th March, 2020.