Where in the world can I go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic?

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Due to the ongoing disruption to travel as a result of COVID 19 this blog has been suspended. Last updated 22nd Dec 2020.

Where in the world can I go skiing

during the Coronavirus pandemic?

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Go skiing – Coronavirus? It feels stranger this year to be going through the usual resorts for the season – how can we know where we can go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic? Keep reading. Bookmark this page for the latest Coronavirus ski travel news.

It really does seem like the anvil of another global roll-out of lockdowns against movement and freedom of travel is about to fall off the cliff edge again. In some countries this has already taken place and they continue to weather their “second wave”. In light of the changes, we will keep updating this list for people who might be looking to go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic and where in the world is open for your season and snow holiday getaways.

It should also be noted however, for any resorts that your home country deems is within a “non-essential travel” destination (should your reasons for travel not be based on home residency needs, repatriation or key-worker status) – will largely not be insurable by yourself or your tour operator, so always check first. Also note that some travel insurance companies will not insureIyou if you are travelling against your home authority’s advice. if your insurer cannot help you, get advice from a broker who might be able to.

Ski Lifts - Airport Transfers to Ski Resorts

Go Skiing – Coronavirus?

You should also note carefully that your country of origin may still require you to either self-isolate or quarantine on your return. Please always check with your local government or national travel authority for the latest. You can also check the Travel Aware measures tips from UK Government as these are generally useful ideas for all travellers. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Places to go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic

without a quarantine on arrival:

Sweden

Italy is currently under Emergency Decree with most resorts closed.

(However if you find an open area, fill out a self-declaration form and have proof of a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival in Italy.)

Andorra

(Travellers may be random/spot-tested if suspected of having symptoms on arrival. UK travellers are advised to self isolate on return.)

Places to go skiing

where you must quarantine or self-isolate on arrival:

France*

(UK travellers may need to self-isolate for 10vdays on return from France)

Switzerland

(UK travellers will be subject to 10 day quarantine upon entry to CH, and will need to isolate f on their return)

Germany

(High Risk UK travellers will be subject to 14 day quarantine upon entry to DE.)

Liechtenstein (border management by Switzerland)

(UK travellers will be subject to 10 day quarantine upon entry to LI,  and will need to isolate on their return)

Norway

(All international travellers will need to quarantine for 10 days or more upon entry to NO, and UK travellers must self-isolate on their return)

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Poland

(UK travellers are not currently known to need to necessarily self-isolate upon their return from Poland unless told by Home Borders to do so)

Serbia

(UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Serbia)

Slovakia

(UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Slovakia)

Greenland

Faroe Islands

Denmark

Iceland

(You will need to pay for a test OR quarantine for 14 days. UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Iceland)

Finland

(Quaratine for 14 days – if you’re eligible to enter at all. UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Finland)

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]These countries, so far, have the most liberal borders policies for skiers and snowboarders, with the lowest levels of quarantine restrictions in place for arrivals.

Some Foreign Nationals will not need to quarantine at all for the above list of countries. We will update this daily, but please first check with your own country’s guidelines which may restrict your movement or your ability to travel, and for any entry requirements on arrival. It is important to check befor eyou go skiing, Coronavirus measures that update daily mean these places may have their own lists for certain countries and nationals.

Some nationals and locations will automatically mean being asked to quarantine first, or some may simply be refused entry on this basi. So it is important to stay alert and even set up travel news alerts on your phone.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If you are a foreign national and are able to spare the weeks, plus you’re happy to quarantine on your arrival, or your return (and potentially both)… then these countries are open for you to go skiing in:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Where else could I go to ski in 2020?

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USA (1)

Slovenia

Latvia

Estonia

Morocco**

Bulgaria #

South Africa (2)

Australia

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]*France = Arrival is also subject to your prior self-certification of good health and French entry requirements.

**Morocco = Arrival is subject to your prior self-certification of good health, proof of a negative PCR test, and potentially an additional spot-test on arrival with a private clinic. British nationals residing in Morocco, and their families, are exempt.

#Bulgaria = Reachable but NB that some major roads are completely closed

(1) USA = Open domestically, except to those who have been in the following places 14 days prior or more to arrival: UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil, China.

(2) South Africa =  proof of a negative test taken within the last 72 hours which incudes travel time. UK not allowed unless staying for 3 months+[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Where is closed for skiing?

New Zealand – Closed

Canada – Closed, except for Canada nationals and those exempt

Again, everything is subject to change, so bookmark this page and keep checking back in case this list empties, which is what we’re all hoping for. Remember, authorities in the country or area that you are going to are responsible for setting and enforcing rules for entry. To quell any confusion, make sure you contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the place you’d like to visit to get the most up to date information, and ensure that your desired departure flights or ships are available and permitted.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18018″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://ski-lifts.com”][vc_column_text]

A Covid-19 Support Guarantee with every ski transfer booked with us

Ski Lifts has introduced its company-wide Hassle-free Covid-19 Guarantee from LiftsTo.

For holiday-makers and consumers booking direct with us, this gives you up to 16:00 CET the day before travel to cancel with no penalty if you are affected by Government-driven travel restrictions. Please see full terms and conditions here.

Our airport transfer + vehicle safety measures

In our incredible network of local transfer operators, drivers, chauffeurs and concierge – we have worked together to agree to maintaining the most practical and hygienic ways we can keep you safe:

  • Up to 7 people per shared vehicle. Private: up to 6 people (in a carriage for 8) maximum, and up to 8 people (in a carriage for 10) maximum.
  • Enhanced daily cleaning and airing of ski transfer vehicles inside and out
  • Drivers are isolated which means passengers won’t be able to take the adjoining seat
  • See this page for our airport transfer and train station transfer cleaning protocol to help you travel safely and with peace of mind.

Other tips and ideas

You may have also seen that The Telegraph did a fantastic piece a few weeks ago on weekend snow + ski getaway ideas, which is worth checking back to if you’re able to go flight hopping across Europe over the coming weeks.

If not, that’s OK – we have still put the above guide together to show you where (currently – we’ll update it every day that we can) you can go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic.

To make your booking, just use our free, no-obligation ski transfer quote generator, to discover a range of the cheapest season prices to suit you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Coronavirus: Where In The World Can I Ski, Travelling from the UK?

Where in the world can I travel to for skiing from the UK, during Coronavirus?

Due to the ongoing disruption to travel as a result of COVID 19 this blog has been suspended. Last updated 22nd Dec 2020.

Ski-Lifts’ Coronavirus Travel Update: this is a general, helpful coronavirus travel update, designed as a supportive article (and not definitive – stay up to date your local Government guidelines and news bureaus for the latest information). And don’t forget, when you book with Ski-Lifts, you’ll be covered by our group-wide Hassle-Free Covid-19 Guarantee. Please take a look at this page if you searching where to ski during the Coronavirus pandemic generally.

Where can I travel to, from the UK, without quarantine or isolating while I’m there?

The good news is that you will not need to quarantine on arrival, or return, to and from these countries. Colloquially known as ‘air bridges’, these places allow travel between them without any severe pandemic restrictions or delays, subject to any spur-of-the-moment government or airport restrictions. Some visitors are finding they have to take a test when they arrive – but if they are negative, they are free to roam. As you will see, the world is still fairly open. You should note carefully, however, that visiting these countries will not exempt you from changes in the rules or the UK asking you to quarantine upon your return.

Currently we understand that UK travellers can head to the following locations as Covid19-negative visitors, without needing to self-isolate or quarantine on arrival.

The team will update this list daily. List correct as of 26/10/2020 at 10:46 CET. As previously stated, you may need to self-isolate upon your return to the UK – but you will need to do that in your place of abode as there are no Government quarters or border locations specified for an official quarantine or self-declared self-isolation currently, unlike other countries that you may be visiting or transferring to who will have places for you to quarantine in. We will do our best to keep this page up to date.

FCO Non-essential ski travel / “air bridge” allowed: 1 country

Sweden – (Air bridge; currently no known forms or declarations required)

FCO Non-essential ski travel allowed but you will need to quarantine on arrival: 6 countries

These trips are insurable. However, the term “air bridge” here is a bit of a misnomer, as you will still need to quarantine or self isolate in these countries on your arrival and return:

Norway(Self-isolate for 10 days or more on arrival after declaring your details at Customs)

Germany (Air bridge only to low risk UK areas – high risk UK arrivals quarantined on arrival)

There are additional, currently less popular skiing countries in the ‘air bridge’ list where you actually still have to quarantine on arrival and return, and also be tested on arrival. These are Greenland, Iceland, Finland and the Faroe Islands.

  • Greenland asks that you have proof of a test within the last 5 days that is negative, fill out a tracer form, quarantine for 14 days on arrival and be open to being retested by Danish Police while in Greenland.
  • In Iceland, you will have to take a test on arrival OR quarantine in Iceland for 14 days, and register your details with Customs.
  • Finland has drastically reduced inbound flights, with entry restricted to residents, repatriation and family of Finland citizens only, following recent evidence a negative test, and to be open to a retest at Customs.
  • The Faroe Islands have the same rules in place as Greenland.

FCO Non-essential travel is advised against, may not be fully insurable, but some flights are still available for travel from the UK: 8 countries 

Italy is currently under Emergency decree with most resorts closed.(You must negative within 72 hours of travel for CV19 and can prove it; also complete this form for Italy before you travel)

Liechtenstein (Borders managed by Switzerland) (Self-isolate for 10 days or more on arrival after declaring your details at Customs)

France (Self-isolate only on return to the UK, please continue to check the French Gov website)

Bulgaria(Self-isolate only on return to the UK)

Slovakia(Self-isolate only on return to the UK)

Poland – (Quarantine on arrival if you show symptoms or have been traced, otherwise self-isolate only on return to the UK)

It should also be noted that if the ski destination country is not a “air bridge” or travel corridor, (and your reasons for travel not be based on home residency needs, repatriation or key-worker status) – your trip will largely not be insurable by yourself or your tour operator, because it goes against FCO advice – so always check with your provider or insurer first. Some private brokers may be able to help. Any quarantine that you do have to fulfil (self-isolation can normally take place in your accommodation) will normally be a government-sponsored hotel or housing, but you should check before travel and always stay aware of any changes to your journey.

“Let’s see what is open, and let’s go?”

The ongoing Covid-19 travel updates makes planning for a holiday -for even visitors arriving at their destinations – extremely tricky. TL;DR: Italy and Sweden are still places you can book in to ski now. However, given that Tour Operators cannot organise travel if it goes against FCO advice, and that many insurance policies don’t cover travellers defying the non-essential travel bans, many are finding that they cannot plan around this. In addition, there is the arguably volatile nature of what are ever-changing border, quarantine and testing restrictions. However, you should look for an insurance broker or find private advice as some insurers as some may be able to cover you.

However, most ski resorts are open – it’s down to your the restrictions on either side of your intra-country travel.

And it is important be prepared: there are more forgiving parts of the world, but at the same time, there could well be other measures at any of these airport borders such as paper forms, health declaration requirements, and the legal requirement to take swab or blood test at any time. In some countries, these tests may occur twice to protect from a false positive result, which could potentially delay your journey. Also, most airports globally oblige passengers to wear face coverings or masks (so, naturally, it’s handy to have a few extra ski masks with you this year).

Remember, always check official Government guidance before you travel, stay up to date on your travel insurance, and stay alert to any guidance while you are travelling. As we know, some of these lists could change while you’re “in the air”. In addition, some countries may have nurses and inspectors who observe you on arrival, and if they believe you show symptoms, you may still be asked to quarantine for 14 days. Be sure to travel safe.