One unexpected consequence of closing ski areas during the pandemic has been people heading out on to the slopes of closed ski areas, skinning up to ski down empty slopes normally accessed by lifts. This led to concerns of injury in the Alps during the first lockdown in the spring when ski patrol staff weren’t working or were involved in work associated with the pandemic. In the Andes from June to September there were concerns of tourers on slopes with high avalanche danger when resort staff who would normally make the slopes safe weren’t working. Commenting on the fact that ski lifts are due to be closed, but resorts themselves open in France over Christmas and New Year Henry Schniewind…

Ski resorts in France and Italy have become increasingly vocal in their campaign to block plans by the French, German and Italian governments to close ski areas into January. The resorts argue they have adequate measures in place to operate safely in the pandemic and say the damage the closures will cause livelihoods is disproportionate to the risk. “We ask the Government to come to its senses and listen to the mountain professionals who have shown their professionalism in the management of the health crisis,” a statement from Alpe d’Huez today says. A Facebook post by the resort received over two-and-a-half thousand likes and nearly 2000 shares within an hour of it going live. Larger protests are reported to be…