The Current State of Skiing in Europe with iBestTravel

This will make you flare up with jealousy: people are already skiing in Europe. Yep, the glacier resorts of Zermatt, Cervinia, Val-d’Isère, and Tignes have all had skiers carving stripes through the summer snow. But should you consider skiing this winter?

The Response to COVID-19 at Ski Resorts

On March 9, the ski slopes beneath the Matterhorn fell silent. Lifts stopped operating, cable cars were packed away, and the bars of Cervinia—typically bustling with activities—were closed by order of the Italian government.

“Extraordinary,” the president of the Aosta Valley region described the measures at the time. However, as COVID-19 numbers climbed, it felt like only something extraordinary could halt the avalanche of new cases.

Then, on June 20, the slopes at Cervinia reopened with skiing on the Plateau Rosà glacier. National lockdowns in many European countries helped to quell the surge in transmissions, encouraging outdoor activities over indoor pursuits as there was less risk of the virus spreading outside.

Skiing returned but with changes: masks were mandatory on ski lifts, a distance of 1m was expected in lines, cable cars operated at two-thirds capacity, and ski class sizes were reduced. Hotels, mountain huts, and restaurants reopened, provided they could ensure adherence to safety measures.

Is Skiing Safe at the Moment?

The early indications are encouraging. With restrictions in place, skiing is now perceived as a low-risk activity. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has cited several small-scale reports showing that the majority of COVID-19 transmissions occur indoors, although it is known to spread at outdoor events with large crowds.

“[It was a] great summer season,” says a spokesperson from the Cervinia tourist office. “Customers observed the necessary measures without issue.” Indeed, reports indicate that the resort saw a 30% increase in visitors compared to the previous year, and importantly, no cases of COVID-19 were recorded.

Zermatt experienced similar success: hotel bookings were down 25% in July compared with 2019; however, the ski area became the most popular domestic vacation destination for Swiss residents this summer, with no coronavirus cases traced to the resort since reopening on June 6.

“Skiers adhered very well to new measures,” adds Simona Altwegg from Zermatt Tourism. “The primary change was the compulsory wearing of masks on cable cars. There were no new regulations on the slopes, especially since the minimum distance of 1.5m is maintained when skiing anyway.”

Val-d’Isère in France also proved popular, selling more than 18,390 daily lift passes since June 6, including a 14.5% increase in visitors across August compared to last year. “We had a really successful summer season,” states Chloé Harlé from Val d’Isère Tourism. “Many customers who typically visit in winter chose to explore Val d’Isère in summer instead.”

Which Ski Resorts Will Open This Winter?

Glacier skiing was seen as a trial ahead of the full ski season, stressing the nursery slopes. In Val d’Isère, for instance, the resort initially limited the number of people allowed on the Pisaillas glacier.

“To ensure social distancing, daily numbers on the glacier were restricted to 500 during the first week and increased to 600 thereafter. Online reservations were mandated, enabling staggered arrivals and departures to prevent overcrowding,” explains Chloé Harlé.

Val d’Isère will now open all 300km of slopes this season, including shared routes with Tignes. Similar sentiments are reflected across Europe: each resort we consulted is preparing to fully open this winter, and in Switzerland and France, all major ski areas expect to welcome back skiers.

“Currently, Switzerland Tourism expects all main ski resorts to open for the winter season, compliant with safety protocols,” notes Alex Herrmann, Director of Switzerland Tourism for the UK and Ireland.

“All [French] ski resorts will be open this winter, operating at full capacity,” adds a spokesperson from the France Tourism Development Agency.

Austrian guidelines for the season are still being prepared, but the majority of resorts—including St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben-Lech, Oberlech, Zürs-Warth, and Mayrhofen—are expected to open. iBestTravel has also reached out to the Italian tourist board regarding ski resort openings this winter but has yet to receive a response. However, ski enthusiasts can currently plan vacations to Cortina and Sauze d’Oulx, with smaller resorts also preparing for openings per their websites.

Throughout Europe, travelers should anticipate fewer après-ski events and reduced indoor gathering opportunities. “This summer, we organized concerts twice a week on a floating barge to avoid large crowds,” shares Amandine Renevot from Tignes tourist office.

“For entertainment, the number of attendees was strictly controlled to respect social distancing,” adds Chloé Harlé from Val d’Isère.

When is the Best Time to Plan My Ski Trip?

The message from most resorts is that travelers can plan confidently for this winter. Safety guidelines at both national and regional levels are being finalized across the Alps, but it’s anticipated that restrictions will not change significantly from those successfully implemented during summer.

However, many resorts are expecting travelers to finalize plans much closer to ski season, in case COVID-19 cases rise or restrictions are modified across Europe. “We anticipate last-minute reservations,” says a spokesperson from the Cervinia tourist office, “which will be influenced by measures enacted by each country during the winter.”

Nevertheless, that doesn’t prevent planning ahead. Some ski operators have reported an increase in inquiries for self-catered apartments, with Crystal Ski Holidays stating a 125% increase in bookings since flight restrictions were lifted.

Other companies, such as Skiworld, will also reduce the number of chalets operated in 2020, limiting available options to travelers.

What is the Best Way to Travel to My Ski Resort?

Self-drive ski trips are poised to increase in popularity this winter, as travelers express interest in that option. From the UK, the Eurotunnel recommends that passengers remain in their cars throughout the journey, providing a comfortable bubble for those traveling by car.

“We’re going snowboarding in December,” says Jamie Evans from Croydon, who has arranged a week in Tignes with two friends. “We considered flying, but opted to drive overnight to avoid contact with others.”

Despite low infection rates on airplanes, confidence in flying remains subdued. “Fewer passengers indicate they will travel again in the early months after the pandemic subsides,” notes Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). “In early April, 61% expressed willingness; by early June, that number dropped to 45%.”

Nonetheless, numerous travelers are still eager to fly. Over two million passengers took flights in July according to Civil Aviation Authority figures, reflecting a 39.4% decrease compared to 2019. Still, airlines such as Easyjet and British Airways are promoting ski trips this winter and continue to service major ski airports including Geneva, Innsbruck, and Lyon.

According to Daniel Elkan from Snowcarbon, a website specializing in ski travel from the UK by rail, the push for rail travel to ski resorts is also facing challenges. “Rail travel offers a better experience than flying or driving, and the climate emergency is prompting many skiers to seek sustainable travel options to the Alps,” he comments. “However, due to COVID-19 uncertainty, inquiries are down year-on-year.”

The Eurostar Ski Train, which previously operated routes to Les Arcs, Val Thorens, Val d’Isère, and Tignes, will not run in 2020 due to the pandemic. “COVID-19 has significantly impacted the travel industry, and our focus remains on capital city routes amidst high demand and shorter journey times,” says Rosie Jones from the company.

Nevertheless, it is still possible to travel to the slopes by train. “Travelers looking to reach ski resorts via train can access multiple stations with convenient links to the French Alps, such as Lyon and Chambéry,” Rosie Jones notes. “A trip from London to Lyon can be completed in under five hours, whether routing through Paris or making a straightforward change at Lille Europe.”

Additionally, Eurostar has introduced enhanced ventilation in its carriages by circulating fresh air every 15 minutes and implementing alternative seating plans to maintain safe distances between travelers.

What Happens to My Ski Trip if COVID-19 Restrictions Change?

Scientists predict an increase in coronavirus cases this winter, suggesting that some governments may impose travel restrictions. Nonetheless, industry insiders remain cautiously optimistic that the slopes will remain open.

“Quarantine or other entry restrictions wouldn’t necessarily affect the ski season due to the importance of the domestic market,” according to Alex Herrmann from Switzerland Tourism. Several countries found this summer that a two-week self-isolation requirement on returning to the UK did not deter all travelers.

“I believe we will have a full ski season, though predicting this is difficult,” reflects Daniel Elkan from Snowcarbon. “The encouraging factor is the observed trend: ski tour operators and accommodation providers are offering 100% refund guarantees for cancellations due to COVID-19 related issues, which lends confidence to travelers.”

Most major ski holiday operators have introduced flexibility into their packages this winter. For instance, Ski Solutions has eliminated amendment fees, allowing customers to modify their dates or destinations for free, up to 12 weeks before departure. If the FCO advises against non-essential travel due to COVID-19, options for rebooking or refunds are also available.

“Cancellation policies for hotels and apartments have been relaxed for the 2020–21 season,” states Chloé Harlé from Val d’Isère. “We advise customers to directly contact their hosts for further details, as rescheduling or obtaining vouchers for future stays may also be possible.”

As always, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest travel restrictions. Additionally, consider acquiring travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage, in case new travel restrictions are implemented while you’re away.