Canada

Entry requirements

Travellers aged five or older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before entering Canada. All travellers aged five or older must also show a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours or provide proof of past infection between 14 and 180 days previously. Antigen tests are not accepted. Mandatory tests on arrival apply to both the vaccinated and recovered and arrivals must isolate until they have their results. 

Unvaccinated travellers must test on arrival and then quarantine for 14 days, doing a second PCR test eight days after arrival. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are exempt from quarantine but must do an eighth-day test, unless under five. Read more on the Canadian travel rules here.

Vaccination rules in ski resorts

Proof of vaccination is not currently required for ski resorts in Canada, but regional rules apply. In August, British Columbia, home to a number of major ski resorts, launched a Proof of Vaccination card for some events, services and businesses including restaurants and bars but not currently including hotels or ski lifts. Unvaccinated individuals – regardless of Covid recovery or negative test – have not been permitted to enter these venues. At Whistler Blackcomb, the nation’s biggest resort owned by Vail Resorts, all employees will be fully vaccinated  and guests in on-mountain self-service restaurants will be required have proof of two jabs. Vail Resorts’ ski schools will also require proof of vaccination for full-day lessons.

Rules for children

Children under five are exempt from all testing requirements when visiting Canada. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are exempt from quarantine but must do an eighth-day test if accompanied by a vaccinated adult; unvaccinated teens aged 12 to 17 must test and quarantine for 14 days, doing a second PCR test eight days after arrival. In Whistler, children ages 12 and older who are part of a full-day ski less will be required to show proof of vaccination, as lessons include lunches at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants where inoculation is mandatory for over 12s.

For recommendations of the best ski resorts in Canada, see our guide. 

United States

Entry requirements

Since November 8, fully vaccinated Britons over the age of 18 can travel to the US, but not those who are unvaccinated. Proof of recovery cannot be used to enter.

From December 6 all British travellers entering the US over the age of two will also need to provide a negative Covid test no older than 24 hours before their departure. The White House has confirmed that children under 18 are exempt from the vaccine requirements as are people with some medical issues, but children do face further testing on arrival in the US. Read the latest travel advice for America here.

Vaccination rules in ski resorts

These are likely to vary from resort to resort, and depend on local public health policy. Vail Resorts was the first to announce it will require proof of vaccination for all employees and from guests in on-mountain self-service restaurants – but not on ski lifts. Vail Resorts’ ski schools will also require proof of vaccination for full-day lessons.

Rules for children 

Currently, unvaccinated teens aged 12 to 18 (or those with only one jab) will be unable to travel to the US, even if they have had Covid and can provide proof of recovery. Further clarification is expected in the coming days/weeks. All British vaccinated travellers over the age of two must also provide a negative Covid test no older than three days, and contact information. At Vail Resorts’ destinations children ages 12 and older who are part of a full-day ski less will be required to show proof of vaccination, as lessons include lunches at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants where inoculation is mandatory. Elsewhere, at Aspen Snowmass for example, similar rules apply, requiring vaccination to access restaurants and hotels, but not the slopes.

For recommendations of the best ski resorts in the United States, see our guide. 

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