France ski holidays: Discovering what the slopes are like in the age of Covid

FRANCE 

Good snowfall in the Three Valleys with 190cm of snow on upper slopes at Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens. Val d’Isere has 180cm, while Les Deux Alpes has a decent 150cm. Argentiere and Alpe d’Huez also looking good.

Booster jabs are mandatory for anyone aged 18-64 who has been fully vaccinated for seven months. Pass sanitaire (Covid passes) are required for lifts; available to double-jabbed children or they must take daily lateral flow tests. Wear masks on lifts.

AUSTRIA

Almost all lifts open at Obergurgl, where top slopes have 180cm. Lech and Kaprun have also begun well. St Anton has an upper base of 175cm.

Must have had booster jab and show proof of a negative test taken before travel. Children under 12 exempt. Unvaccinated kids aged 12-15 can get special ski passes. Masks mandatory on lifts. No apres ski ‘for the time being’.

ITALY

Decent cover in Cervinia in the Aosta Valley with upper-piste snow depth of 100cm, but less snow in the Dolomites.

Must show you are fully vaccinated and have recent negative test (children under six exempt). New rules at Italian ski resorts state you must have full winter sports insurance or face a £125 fine. For ski lifts, bars and restaurants you have to be fully vaccinated (NHS app accepted).

SWITZERLAND

A ski lift at Verbier. The Swiss resort has 105cm of snow on the upper slopes

Saas-Fee has a superb 200cm on top slopes, while Verbier has a reasonable 105cm. Klosters and Davos are both reporting 112cm.

Must be fully vaccinated and have tested negative for Covid. NHS app proof of double vaccination accepted for entering bars/restaurants and for ski lifts, on which masks must be worn. Children under 18 travelling with vaccinated parents are considered to ‘mirror’ their vaccination status.

SPAIN AND ANDORRA

Both doing well, especially Baqueira-Beret in the Pyrenees with a snow depth ranging from 170cm on lower slopes to 275cm on those at top. Andorra’s Pas de la Casa has 90cm-170cm.

All aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated to visit; under 12s exempt. Masks required on lifts and proof of vaccination (NHS Covid app accepted) for bars and restaurants.

NORTH AMERICA

There are ‘generally good conditions’ at the Canadian resort of Lake Louise, pictured

Generally good conditions with Lake Louise and Banff in Canada off to a great start, while Whistler, after a slow beginning, now has 256cm on top slopes. In the U.S., deep snow at Mammoth, Squaw Valley, Snowbird and Timberline.

Canada and the U.S. require proof of being fully vaccinated and having taken a negative Covid test before travel. Rules vary between states and provinces on mask wearing and rules for entering bars/restaurants and taking lifts. However, if you have met the requirements to enter the countries you should be fine.