Useful
Practical information and useful tips to help you around the mountain.
Health Passes, Travel, & Ski Lifts in France
Using the ski lifts in France:
At the moment (2021) a health pass (as seen in the photo above) is required to use the ski lifts in France (it will be removed when the national case rate falls below 200 cases per 100,00 inhabitants). All health passes from countries listed below are valid for use. This includes negative test results, covid recovery passes, and vaccination passes. It is not exclusive to vaccination passes.
For example, you can obtain a health pass QR code in France from any pharmacy by taking a 5 minute test and the pharmacist will give you with your health pass QR code valid for 24hrs with a negative test result.
If a PCR test were to be positive, the QR code provided will be recognised to gain a recovery pass, 10 days after the result. Which will be valid for 180 days from the date of the test.
Recovery Pass = Health Pass
If you have previously contracted COVID-19, instead of a negative test result you can present a certificate of recovery dated more than 11 days and less than 6 months prior to the date of arrival. A certificate of recovery is a document issued to persons who have contracted COVID-19, upon presentation of a positive RT-PCR or antigenic test.
Information can be validated at source here:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/
And uk-france specific info here:
https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918
UK Recovery Pass = Health Pass
To get an NHS Health Pass and QR Code to use in France, RECOVERY from Covid provides a 180 day health pass. Simply register a positive PCR test result more than 10 days old to the NHS system to obtain your 180 day recovery pass. Link below:
https://covid-status.service.nhsx.nhs.uk
or apply by post
https://www.nhs.uk/get-your-covid-pass-letter/
Recognition of Vaccination = Health Pass
Recognition of Vaccination health passes for those vaccinated in one of the following countries: Member States of the European Union, Albania, Andorra, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Morocco, Monaco, Norway, Panama, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales), San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican. The digital Covid certificate that has been issued to you is accepted in France under the recognition provided by the EU health pass system. You have no additional steps to perform.
This means that if your vaccine certificate is valid in your home country listed above, it is recognised in France equally as it is in your home nation.
The recent changes to France’s vaccination validity period of 7 months applies to French vaccination pass holders only. Vaccination passes from other nations listed above remain recognised under the criteria of the EU health pass system.
There are proposed updates to the EU health pass system, to take effect from the 10th January 2022. The part which will affect vaccine validity will be 9 months, and is worded as follows:
Standard acceptance period of vaccination certificates: To avoid diverging and disruptive approaches, the Commission proposes a standard acceptance period of 9 months for vaccination certificates issued following the completion of the primary vaccination series. This means that, in the context of travel, Member States should not refuse a vaccination certificate that has been issued less than 9 months since the administration of the last dose of the primary vaccination.
The Commission’s proposals will now be discussed by the EU Member States, who will decide on the final version of the Recommendations. The Commission proposes for the new rules to apply as of 10 January 2022.
You can view this regulatory information here:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en
UK health pass holders
The NHS health pass can be used in France and is recognised through-out the EU because it is part of the overall EU health pass system.
Travelling with children over 12 years old.
Children travelling with fully vaccinated adults will benefit from the same rules whether they are vaccinated or not. You can therefore travel with your underage children, whether they are vaccinated or not, and they will not need to self-isolate. Unvaccinated children aged 12 and OVER will need to present a negative test result when travelling as described below.
Each traveller aged 12 and over must present a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours before departure or a negative antigenic test taken less than 48 hours before departure.
Information can be validated at source here:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/
And uk-france specific info here:
https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918
Recovery Pass:
If you have previously contracted COVID-19, instead of a negative test result you can present a certificate of recovery dated more than 10 days and less than 6 months prior to the date of arrival. A certificate of recovery is a document issued to persons who have contracted COVID-19, upon presentation of a positive RT-PCR or antigenic test.
(For UK residents this can be done simply by providing a positive PCR test result more than 10 days old to the NHS system here. https://covid-status.service.nhsx.nhs.uk or by post here https://www.nhs.uk/get-your-covid-pass-letter/)
Information can be validated at source here:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/
And uk-france specific info here:
https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918
Travel & Covid Updates Ski Season 2021/22
Things are now firmly focused on the 21/22 ski season with demand set for one of the busiest Winter’s on record. Summer skiing is already open and in full swing in Val d’Isere/Tignes, and Les 2 Alpes.
With that said, we aim to keep you up to date with current travel information, and covid requirements.
There has been a lot of alignment over the recent weeks with implementing covid pass systems. Europe and other areas of the world now have covid pass systems in place that are recognised across systems (details & criterias below). The purpose of covid pass systems is to enable freedom of movement and exemption from restrictions. Below you can find the details and official sources to verify with.
EU Travel
EU countries as of the 1st July are permitting all European travel. Also, the EU covid passport/certificate system is online and in place as of the 1st July 2021. All of the official information for the covid pass can be found here, EU Covid Pass / certificate system. Which explains everything you need to know about the system, how to use it, and the countries that are using the system.
International Travel
Current official requirements for travel to france can be found at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Also check with your home nation government travel requirements) (France – UK travel The French Consulate in London).
French Domestic Covid Rules
Current official domestic Covid rules in France can be found at the French Government website.
EU Covid Certificate
The EU Covid Certificate allows freedom of travel and exemption from freedom of movement restrictions within the EU and 7 non EU countries (at time of writing). Some EU countries are requiring the Covid health pass for use in certain domestic settings, such as France. (The UK’s NHS Covid health pass is accepted in France). The European Union is seeking to extend this validity/acceptance to other non EU countries and may be updated soon. All countries that are part of the system and their usage status can be found at the European Commission Website.
EU Covid Certificate Key Points:
With 1 of the following criteria people can receive an EU Covid health pass.
– Fully Vaccinated (EU Covid Pass Details)
– Negative PCR Test (72hrs validity period)
– Negative Antigen (professional) Test (48hrs validity period)
– Covid recovery certificate (180 days validity following the recovery period after an official positive test result)
* NOTE – The UK’s NHS Covid pass IS RECOGNISED FOR USE IN FRANCE (details below).
International visitors can apply to the country they are visiting for an EU covid passport/certificate. For now (time of writing), you should still keep valid/verifiable proof of one of the above conditions.
UK NHS Covid Pass
The UK’s NHS Covid pass is now fully recognised in France, and includes all the same options as the EU Covid pass. The French Government information to verify this can be found at AmbaFrance.org (the French Consulate General For London Website). The place for current travel requirements is of course the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The French Consulate Websites.
UK NHS Covid Pass Key Points:
With 1 of the following criteria people can receive a UK NHS Covid health pass.
– Fully Vaccinated (NHS Covid Pass Details)
– Negative PCR Test (72hrs validity period)
– Negative Antigen (professional) Test (48hrs validity period)
– Covid recovery certificate (180 days validity following the recovery period after an official positive test result)
Covid Pass For Other International Travellers
Currently there are some options; International visitors can request an EU covid pass by requesting one from the authorities of the country you are visiting. We are still unsure as to the exact process of to how to do that, but will update in due course.
IATA Covid Travel Pass
IATA’s Covid pass system (The International Air Transport Association) is available to everyone. And of course relates to international air travel. The IATA Covid pass system is linked to government systems and complies with all variations of government requirements internationally. IATA’s Covid pass information can be found at the IATA website.
French Ski Resorts & Ski Lift Opening
Following the French Government’s preliminary announcement in November that ski resorts may open from the 15th December. Meaning that all shops and activities can open, including skiing, however the ski lift opening dates are yet to be confirmed and very likely to be after the Christmas period. Germany and France have been talking about a unified EU approach to open ski lifts from the 20th January. However they have already agreed the opening of ski resorts, shops, and sports from the 15th December. Fully aware of the Irony of that, and the consequent tension created with other Alpine nations. The lift opening date is a subject of much debate and political pressure.
What We Know
Tips For Driving To The Alps
As many more people are planning on driving to the alps this winter. We thought we’d share some of our top tips to make it smooth and easy.
There are some good perks to driving to the alps instead of flying. Believe it or not, it’s actually greener than flying. Even more conveniently, you can take as much luggage and equipment as you like. Consequently you’ll have your own private transport in resort, making it easier to get around. In the case for last minute ski trips, you can travel at your own agenda, whenever you wish. Making it especially convenient.
Read More…
Tips For Last Minute Ski Trips
We know things seem difficult right now, which makes planning ahead seem out of reach. Instead of telling people what they cannot do, we are going to keep you informed about what you CAN do! So, with planning ahead being challenging, there are plenty of people thinking of making last-minute ski trips this year. For that reason, we have decided to put together a list of inside tips to help anyone organise last-minute ski trips.
- Private Accommodation
- Last Minute Travel Tips (Whats going on, Drive, Fly?)
- Lessons & Guiding Instantly Confirmed
- Ski Passes Online
*As soon as we’re able, we will continue to publish travel guidelines to help people stay informed of what they CAN DO!
Accommodation Tips
As the statistics show many people are looking to take private accommodation. As opposed to hotels and shared tour operator chalets. Our resorts (Chamonix, Megeve, St Gervais, Les Contamines) are fortunate to have a very large volume of private accommodation options available.
Read More…
French Ski Resorts & COVID-19 Safety
Health & Safety Measures
Representing mountain tourism in France, France Montagnes, maintain up to date guidance to safely continue skiing this winter. We will support, promote, and publish that guidance to help keep you informed about what you CAN DO to ski this winter.
Current Guidance
Skiing is an outdoor activity, and along with its equipment (Helmet, gloves, skis, goggles, face warmer) it is perfectly in line with social distancing. In some public spaces, capacity may be reduced. Wearing a mask is compulsory for everyone aged 11 and over.
Resort Access By Public Transport
- Wearing a face mask is compulsory before boarding and while on the bus.
Ski Lifts
- Wearing a face mask is compulsory while queuing and on the ski lifts.
- Contact points are thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis.
- No restrictions on the number of people on the ski lifts.
- On some ski lifts, you may not have to wear a mask (check ski lift guidelines).
- No masks out on the slopes.
In Equipment Hire Shops
- Wearing a face mask is compulsory.
- All hired equipment is thoroughly cleaned.
- Hand sanitising gel is made available.
In Tourist Offices & Your Accommodation
- Wearing a face mask is compulsory in all communal and enclosed spaces.
- Hand sanitising gel is made available.
- All surfaces are thoroughly cleaned, with increased frequency.
Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens, Morillon Ski School Meeting Points & Piste Map
Ski Area Map
Here is our handy google resort map for Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens, and Morillon. Enable location services on your phone and use it as a GPS piste map. Guiding you around the ski area, restaurants, and our lesson meeting points. Alternatively if you are looking for our other resort maps click through to our meeting point piste map of Chamonix OR piste map of Megeve & St Gervais.
Hint: click on the icons to see its details, phone numbers, and directions.
Grand Massif Live Ski Lift Status & Snow Reports
Live updates of ski lift status & opening times for the Grand Massif ski area across Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens, & Morillon. As well as snow conditions, and snow stability forecast.
How To Get Prepared For Skiing Over The Summer
When the end of the ski season arrives, we are usually left wanting more. This is one of the things that keeps skiing so special. With a significant pause in the sport we love, it is not just ‘on-tap’ like so many things today. The summer is an opportunity to keep ourselves in shape and prepared for next winter. So that we can enjoy every moment of the winter to its fullest. So lets discuss how to prepare for skiing and the winter ahead while we have time off.
Read More…
The Rhône-Alpes Region
We’ve put together some information about the pretty spectacular area of France that Freedom Snowsports operate in. We of course let you know about St Gervais, Chamonix, Megeve, & Les Contamines across our website. But here is just a small flavour of the delights that the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has to offer.
Read More…
