J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Two of the biggest music festivals in the Alps have announced they're not going ahead this year as the French government act to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The organisers of both festivals have stressed its "business as usual" in the resorts themselves though for skiers and boarders.

Tommorowland Winter in Alpe d'Huez, which was due to "take over the resort" for the second year from a week on Saturday, and the Rock The Pistes festival which was due to have its tenth staging, attracting 28,000 people and including a performance from veteran British rock band The Stranglers have both been cancelled.

The organisers of Tommorowland Winter give the impression in their media statement that they looked at every way they could to keep the festival alive. The French government ban was initially on large indoor events, and Tomorrowland largely happens outdoors, however bringing 30,000 people from 100 countries probably didn't look wise in current circumstances.

"Today, it is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that the French Government has decided to cancel this year's edition (March 14 -21). Since Saturday we were in close contact with the French Government about the impact of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) and we finally received their official decision. The French Government is taking drastic measures regarding the COVID-19 virus in France," the statement reads.

A third claimant to the title of 'biggest music festival in the Alps,' Musillac in Chamonix, had in any case earlier announced they were "taking a year off" this season.

There are a number of smaller music festivals due in the coming weeks such as Snowboxx in Avoriaz which are yet to announce their status.

One of the biggest music festivals in the Alps, Tomorrowland Winter 2020, has been cancelled:
Press release / Thursday, 5 March 2020 In the beginning of February the build-up of Tomorrowland Winter 2020 in Alpe d'Huez started. Today, it is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that the French Government has decided to cancel this year's edition (March 14 -21).

The Mountain Planet Trade Fair Will Take Place in 2020 – But Maybe Not Next Month...

Alpexpo, the organizer of the Mountain Planet fair in France, one of the biggest trade fairs for the winter sports trade, has issued a statement this afternoon saying that no decision has been made to date regarding the postponement of the 2020 edition (April 22-24).

The organisation are stressing though that it will happen at some point this year, they just haven't yet decided whether it will be later than advertised, but they'll make a decision next week.

"Alpexpo confirms that the Mountain Planet trade show, the international meeting point for mountain planning, will take place in 2020. The show's teams have entered into consultations with shareholders, notably the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region, the various stakeholders and exhibiting companies," a statement reads, continuing, "A meeting is scheduled for March 10, the date on which Alpexpo will communicate on maintaining or postponing the dates of the Mountain Planet 2020 exhibition, which in any case will take place in 2020."

Mountain Planet was first staged in 1974 in Grenoble and has grown to welcome 900 exhibitors and international brands to an exhibition area of 50,000 m2 attracting over 18,000 professional visitors from more than 60 countries.

More info on: www.mountain-planet.com

...and apologies in advance to anyone who feels the above report is either scare mongering or conversely, not stressing potential dangers enough, as I've tried to strike the middle ground and dig out any facts I can.

In the continually evolving response to the coronavirus outbreak there are a few new developments in the skiing world, mostly in terms of large scale ski events during the final months of the season.

The International Ski Federation have now released an 'Information and Recommendation Guide' on organising events in light of the virus which is designed for Local Organising Committees and other FIS stakeholders to educate about the best practices to help minimise the risk of spread of the virus.

"The FIS is maintaining the existing principles applied since the outbreak of the Novel Corona Virus, which are to fully comply with the instructions and decisions of the National and Regional Governments and their Health Authorities," said a statement from organisers.

The FIS also say they will make a final decision on the staging of the FIS Alpine World Cup Finals in Cortina, the biggest event in the alpine ski racing calendar and due to take place later this month, this Friday 6th March at 5pm CET. This date, they say, was specified by the Italian Regional Government and Health Authorities in Veneto authorities for their next general update in regard to the status of controlling measures that have been undertaken to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus and any measures that will be implemented.

Veneto, where the resort is located, is one of the Italian areas hit hardest by the virus so far, although with most cases in Venice to the south.

Swiss ski resorts Laax say their SuddenRush Banked Slalom will go ahead, for the sixth time, from the 5th to 8th of March 2020.

"Safety for all participants is as important as fun in the snow. After application by LAAX and the official risk analysis, the Canton of Graubünden has approved the event," a statement from the organisers read.

Meanwhile Hokkaido, home to Niseko, is officially in a "state of emergency" according to the prefecture's governor. However the advice here – to wash hands meticulously and stay away from crowded indoor spaces – seems to be the same as most places and ski resorts appear to still be operating as normal.

In China, the government has reported that thee have been zero cases of the virus in the area where the Olympics are due to be staged in two years' time. The ski slopes here are currently closed, as they have been at all ski centres across the country since early February, but a team of police is stationed on the routes in and out of the resort, complete with thermal body scanners, to ensure no risk of infection getting in.

In terms of travel in Europe it is a fast-evolving situation but, generally, almost all airports are open and all flights operating and governments are not advising against travel except to limited 'virus hot spot' areas within some countries.

Some airlines are offering to rebook passengers not wanting to travel near to virus outbreak hot spots, others aren't and it seems few travel insurance policies will kick in unless airports are closed or governments advise against travel.

The BBC have a rolling page with Coronavirus news: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51734185

In terms of updates on those school stories, I'm afraid it may just be there's a shortage of investigative journalists. Or they have followed up somewhere but not in major bulletins as they deemed other aspects of the story to be more significant in the limited time slots.

I did see a story in a local paper today that a school back from a ski trip to Claviere that decided to self isolate on their return (Presumably a precautionary measure as they don't seem to have been that close to an affected area) have all now gone back to school with no virus. I think it might have been a different one to the two that got all the headlines a week or so back when everyone was desperately scrabbling about for something to write about with coronavirus...

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/health/2020/03/03/pupils-and-staff-at-shropshire-school-test-negative-for-coronavirus-after-ski-trip-to-northern-italy/

The resorts in Italy desperately trying to tell people "everything is fine here" would definitely agree that it is unfair to lump the whole country together. The "everywhere north of Pisa" travel advice seems to be the one that is causing confusion and upset.

There's been heavy snowfall in the Pyrenees mountains of south west Europe – and the snow is still falling.
Up to 70cm (over two feet ) of snow has been reported on the French side of the mountain range, which is the location of more than 60 Andorran, French and Spanish ski resorts.

The area has seen little fresh snowfall since late January, although most of the bigger resorts have been fully open anyway, thanks to heavy snowfall in December and January helping to give a good snow depth that has withstood warm periods since.

Smaller, lower areas have suffered though with a number currently closed due to inadequate snow cover.

For the destination resorts that are fully open though, the snowfall is very welcome in any case to refresh cover, particularly on lower slopes, and build bases for the final month of the season.

Formiguères in the French Pyrenees has reported the most snow so far with 70cm (2.3 feet) since Sunday. Les Angles reports 60cm(two feet), Piau Engaly 45cm (18 inches) and Cauterets 43cm (17 inches).

Ski areas in Andorra have reported up to 25cm (10 inches) of snowfall in the past 72 hours, with similar amounts forecast for the coming 72 hours too.

The fresh snowfall has also enabled fresh powder skiing, although it has inevitably increased the avalanche danger warning with most areas currently at level 3 of 5 on the danger scale which is variously described as "considerable" or "vigilance". Two people were taken to hospital after being rescued following an avalanche in Baqueira Beret, Spain, yesterday, but there's no report on their condition as yet.

A number of North American ski areas have said they plan to stay open later into the spring than their original planned closing dates.

However, their motivations appear to be rather different.

Mont Tremblant in Quebec, in common with most ski areas on North America's east Coast, did not have a great first few months of the season with warm temperatures and freezing rain stopping the season really getting going in terms of good snow conditions until February. However, in announcing a week's extension of the season, from April 14th to 19th, the resort said,

"Recent snowfalls paired with the early-season savoir-faire and efforts of our snowmaking and operations teams have led to today's announcement of an extended ski season, and kids aged 12 and under accompanied by an adult ski free during this period."

The resort also has an eye to please holders of the Ikon season pass, with 2020-21 passes going on sale and a sales battle with Vail's Epic Pass likely, who can also ski the extra week with no additional cost.

Monarch Mountain in Colorado, like most ski areas in the Rockies, has, in contrast, seen great snowfalls since November and the snowpack is currently 111% above the average level, so it has announced a season extension from April 5th to 12th. The resort is currently celebrating its 80th season.

It's a little unusual for resorts to announce season extensions quite so early, although last year Mammoth mountain announced its plan to stay open to late spring and into summer in January after huge snowfalls there. This year the resort has not seen such big snowfalls and is yet to make any announcement on how late its season might continue.