Tag Archives: General
Opening Meribel This winter 2022
Its the perfect match with the world-class skiing in Meribel and the 3 Valleys ski resorts in France. We are proud to announce that our world-class team will be open and available in Meribel this winter. Delivering ski and snowboarding sessions across the whole area and neighbouring 3 valleys. With our team of instructors providing private ski lessons & snowboard lessons, off piste skiing, and backcountry tours.
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Meribel Ski Lesson Meeting Points & Piste Map
Ski Area Map
Here you can find our resort map showing all of our Meribel ski school meeting points, as well as handy ski rental locations nearby to each of our ski lesson meeting points. Click on the icons to open more detailed information and live directions.
Hint: click on the icons to see its details, phone numbers, and directions.
Read more about the ski area and meeting points below
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.
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
– 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 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
– 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.
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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.
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.
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.
Les Carroz
We meet just outside the front of the ticket office upstairs on the snow at the bottom of the Telecabine de la Kedeuze.
Flaine
Meeting point in Flaine is just outside the bottom station of the Aup De Veran lift which is the central lift area in Flaine.
Samoens
Our meeting point is just outside the top of ‘Grand Massif Express’ lift in Samoens
Morillon
Here we meet at the bottom of the Sairon lift right at the centre of the ‘Station De Morillon’.
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.
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Chamonix Ski Lesson Meeting Points & Piste Map
Ski Area Map
Here is our handy google resort map for Chamonix. Enable location services on your phone and use it as a GPS piste map to guide you around the ski area and our meetings points for Chamonix ski lessons. Alternatively click through to our meeting point piste map for Megeve, St Gervais, and Les Contamines.
Hint: click on the icons to see its details, phone numbers, and directions.
Read our write ups on each of the main Chamonix Ski Areas below
