British skiers heading to the French Alps this winter have been assured that their holidays will go ahead, despite a Covid resurgence on the Continent.
“Thanks to vaccinations and the health pass, closing is not an option,” said Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State for Tourism in France, speaking exclusively to Telegraph Travel. He added that après-ski will be back to “as normal as is possible,” and, after months of sabre-rattling from Messrs Johnson and Macron, was at pains to strike a welcoming note, saying that “the friendship between the French and the British remains intact.”
Skiers and snowboarders should nevertheless be prepared for some changes to their holiday experience The rules and regulations in France, while not entirely prohibitive, will be a hindrance to many. Mask wearing will remain mandatory when queueing for or riding lifts (but not when out enjoying the slopes). Visitors may also be asked to wear them in restaurants unless seated and when moving around communal areas in hotels.
The other key Covid measure is the pass sanitaire, a digital health pass that provides proof of full vaccination, past infection or a recent negative test (taken every 72 hours). Over winter it will continue to be a key feature in ski resorts; visitors will need one to enter restaurants, cafés and bars – even to sit outside on terraces – but “you will not need it to do your shopping or to rent your ski equipment,” confirms Lemoyne.
But it’s a system that threatens to trip up British arrivals, especially those with teenagers or who are over 65. Children aged 12 and over are included in the pass sanitaire rules, which means any family travelling with teenagers will need to be double-jabbed – something of a problem when the UK is only offering youngsters a single dose – possess proof of recent infection, or obtain a negative PCR test every 72 hours. Tests are available in France, but at a cost to the holidaymaker. Also, for the over-65s, a third booster dose will be mandatory to activate the pass from December 15.
