France Montagnes is pleased to announce the latest update on the health protocols and access information currently in place for the French mountains, alongside key statistics and booking levels.
Health protocols
As verbally indicated by Secretary of State for Tourism Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne at the DSF (Domaines Skiables de France) Congress in September, the pass sanitaire (health pass) will not be required to access resorts. Once in resort, it will not be required for lifts or equipment hire shops, but remains a requirement to access bars, restaurants and cultural venues, and at certain accommodation where there is a restaurant, fitness area or swimming pool. Face masks are compulsory while queuing for lifts, on certain lifts at the operator’s discretion, and when indoors or in outdoor gatherings at ski schools – but not when skiing.
France Montagnes has produced this dedicated infographic to detail the protocols in place. Click here to download a PDF version.
Please be aware that a health pass requirement could be reinstated at any time if Covid-19 case numbers exceed 200 per 100,000 people. For useful guides regarding travel from the UK to France, including information on the travel rule changes from 1 October and the pass sanitaire, please consult the French Embassy’s website here.
“After three winters with good snow followed by a disappointing season without being able to open our lifts, we are preparing to open all services and activities in compliance with health regulations,” assures Jean-Marc Silva, Directeur Général of France Montagnes. “The snow has fallen and bookings are in full swing at the moment, as our customers are ready to be able to enjoy winter sports, French resorts and unique landscapes once again. Resort professionals are mobilised and confident for the forthcoming season.”
Cédric Ammouche, Aviation Development Manager at Vinci Airports, commented: “Vinci’s Alpine airports are preparing for the winter. The UK offers encouraging traffic prospects in this upturn with the easing of travel restrictions. Grenoble and Chambéry
airports, which receive more British flights in winter, hope to regain 70% of the British traffic of winter 2018/19 (a total of 404,000 passengers across both airports). British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and WizzAir, who usually offer scheduled flights from the UK, will be back at our hubs this winter. In addition to the charter flights already scheduled by tour operators, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambéry airports will receive scheduled flights from London (Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Heathrow and City), Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Belfast.”
Other news for 2021-22
In terms of access to the French mountains, eco-conscious travellers will be cheered by the launch of the Travelski Express train, replacing the former Eurostar service and linking London with Moutiers and Bourg-St-Maurice. Chartered by Compagnie des Alpes and operating on weekends from 18 December 2021 – overnight on Fridays from St-Pancras and returning from France during the daytime on Saturdays – this direct service is bookable as part of a package including accommodation, ski passes and shuttle services to six resorts: La Plagne, Les Arcs, Les Menuires, Méribel, Tignes and Val d’Isere.
A number of new experiences and activities are on offer this season: step into the void at over 2,000m on a new glass walkway in Morzine’s Pas de l’Aigle; whizz along a giant zip line in Serre-Chevalier; and try splitboarding in the Haute-Maurienne. Some of the French mountains’ top hotel openings include the four-star Marielle Hotel in Val Thorens; the luxury Bear Lodge in Arc 1950; a four-tridents Club Med residence in La Rosiere and two new trendy hostels: Base Camp Lodge in Les Deux Alpes and Tignes’ first hostel, The Hideout. As we move into 2022, the events calendar is set to come alive with the return of the Tomorrowland Festival from 19-26 March 2022. Headliners so far announced include Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Martin Solveig and Kungs. In the same month, Courchevel and Méribel will host the finals of the Skiing World Cup (16-20 March 2022).
Further information
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Marine Teste – Head of PR – marine.teste@atout-france.fr
About Atout France
Atout France (France Tourism Development Agency) is responsible for promoting the development of the tourism industry, the country’s largest economic sector. Atout France’s primary mission is to monitor and analyse the supply and demand in the tourist market. Atout France is also committed to promoting destinations and tourism partners in and from France. This is achieved through marketing campaigns, online promotion, PR and working closely with the travel trade sector. Atout France is represented in the UK and Ireland from its office in London.
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