The beginning of 2020 saw COVID-19 sweeping the globe and by March of this year whole nations had found themselves going into lockdown. This put a stop to most non-essential travel and many people had their holidays cancelled. This also meant that the usual ski season in Europe and other popular ski resorts was forced to come to a halt, but as we begin to adjust a new way of living, travel has resumed and many ski resorts have been given the all clear to gear up for the winter season.
The catch-22 for many people is that they want to have a holiday and get away from home for a while, but many are still understandably nervous about the virus and travelling to different countries. If this sounds familiar, we’re here to help. Below we have compiled a list of eight of the most COVID-friendly ski resorts, so you can book your next skiing break confident that you’ll be in safe hands and of course, you can make your trip even easier by using our ski shipping service as well.
Apres ski in Italy
Despite Italy being one of the hardest hit nations in the early stages of the Coronavirus outbreak, infection rates have dropped massively and it is now deemed to be a safe place to travel once again. This is great news if you love to ski because the nation is also home to some of the world’s greatest ski resorts. So whether you’re going earlier in the season or you want to be away for Christmas and New Year, you’re sure to find the perfect resort for you there. Some of Italy’s finest include:
- Cervinia, Italy
Cervinia is currently a green zone which means it is one of the safest skiing destinations in Italy right now. Found in the Aosta Valley, the slopes are ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers alike and there is a lively apres ski scene for evening drinks after a long day skiing.
- Champoluc, Italy
Champoluc is also a green zone and is described as a hidden gem in the Monterosa ski region. Whether you’re skiing or snowboarding you can enjoy going off the beaten track and exploring the rustic villages around the area. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and patisseries to help you refuel.
Get a taste of Bavaria in Germany
Germany dealt with the Coronavirus very well and saw some of the lowest case numbers across Europe. So not only is this currently a safe country to visit for a holiday, but it’s also home to some incredible skiing resorts – perfect for those who love Bavarian beer and spending all day on the slopes. Some of the top resorts right now include:
- Garmish-Partenkirchen, Germany
The Garmish-Partenkirchen resort is made up of three mountain which means there is plenty of room for skiing and snowboarding whilst keeping your social distance. There is also enough runs perfect for every level of skier, whether you’re beginner, intermediate or expert.
- Reit im Winkl, Germany
This is a cross border ski resort which passes between Germany and Austria, but although Austria is currently still struggling with the virus and quarantine periods, you can still enjoy the German side of the mountain. Described as a beginners paradise, this could be the ideal location for those who are new to skiing and want to try something new this year.
Soak up the beauty of Scandinavia
Most Scandinavian nations faired quite well during the COVID-19 outbreak with the infection rates being relatively low, as such, these countries are some of the safest to visit in the world. In particular, Finland and Sweden have some of the safest ski resorts to visit this year, including:
- Levi, Finland
If you want something spectacular to look forward to this Christmas, Levi is one of the most popular Lapland ski resorts and is open and safe for visitors. As well as skiing, guests can also enjoy husky safaris and snowmobile rides around this area of outstanding natural beauty.
- Are, Sweden
This beautiful winter sports resort has plenty of demanding slopes for this who are a little bit more experienced, but it also caters well for families. Sweden was not adversely affected by the Coronavirus and is therefore marked as a green zone for visitors.
Enjoy the best of Scotland
Scotland might not be the first place you think of when you think about skiing, but if you don’t want to travel too far or you want to avoid having to board a plane, Scotland could be the perfect solution for this year’s skiing trip. You can enjoy the road trip there, before hitting the slopes in the Scottish mountains. Some of the most COVID-friendly resorts in Scotland include:
- Glencoe, Scotland
Perhaps one of the smallest resorts on our list, Glencoe is better for beginner and intermediate skiers. What’s more, it is not far from some of Scotland’s finest cities, so you can also spend some time exploring with your feet on the ground. This being said, snow might be a little less predictable in Scotland so you need to choose the right time of year to go, but in terms of safety, you’ll feel in good hands.
- Cairngorm, Scotland
Cairngorm can be found in Aviemore National Park and is one of the best Scottish resorts for holding snow throughout the ski season. Although the mountain is good for all levels, the terrain parks, kickers and rails attract pro skiers and snowboarders from around the world, so if you’re feeling particularly confident in your skiing abilities, then this could be the place for.
Note: It is worth noting that while you are OK to travel to these destinations and they don’t currently require a quarantine period before or after your visit, the pandemic is ongoing and this could be subject to change. Before you book anything be sure to double check the restrictions in that country so you don’t find yourself unexpectedly having to take another two weeks of work to quarantine.
