Patrick Thorne
As we start the Easter holidays period, there’s fresh snow falling in many ski areas in Europe and in most ski nations, the Covid travel rules continue to be relaxed.
But few countries (in fact of the main ski nations only Norway), have gone so far as the UK and removed all travel restrictions. Most still require proof of vaccination and a sizable chunk still ban unvaccinated adults from arriving. Japan is still closed to international tourists.
The direction of travel remains good though, France recently announced unvaccinated travellers who have a negative test result before travel can now enter on holiday and Italy dropped a requirement to show a covid passport to ride the lifts, it’s just that the ski season will have ended before full ‘normality’ returns.
ExpressTest, the UK’s largest Covid test provider for consumers, particularly in the travel sector, with more than 40 testing centres across the country including at Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, London Victoria, Reading, Belfast and Brent Cross have a free tool on their website that travellers can use to check the latest requirements for any country.
Here’s the current regulations (which can change at any time) they tell us for entry to the main ski nations.
Ski Nations A-Z
Austria
(Lech)
Fully vaccinated: No tests required.
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Complete a negative PCR test within 72 hours, or a private lateral flow test within 24 hours before arrival, or have a COVID recovery certificate from the past 180 days.
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: 12 and over must follow the same rules as unvaccinated adults.
Bulgaria
Fully vaccinated: No tests required.
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Complete a negative PCR test within 72 hours, or a private lateral flow test within 48 hours before arrival, or have a COVID recovery certificate from the past 180 days.
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: 12 and over must follow the same rules as unvaccinated adults.
Canada
Fully vaccinated: Complete a negative PCR test within 72 hours, or a private lateral flow test within 24 hours before your flight or have a COVID recovery certificate from the past 180 days.
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Travel is possible with testing, however travellers must self isolate for 14 days.
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: 11 and under can travel by completing a negative pre-arrival test, followed by a test on arrival and again on day 8.
France (also for access to Andorra):
Fully vaccinated adults: No tests required
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Can enter provided they have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, or a lateral flow taken within 48 hours.
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: 12 to 18 must complete a negative PCR test with 72 hours, or a private lateral flow test within 48 hours before arrival
Italy:
Fully vaccinated adults: No tests required
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Complete a negative PCR test within 72 hours, or a private lateral flow test within 48 hours before arrival, or have a COVID recovery certificate from the past 6 months
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: 6 and over must follow the same rules as unvaccinated adults.
Norway
(Bjorli)
All travellers: There are no entry requirements, regardless of your vaccination status.
Spain (alternative access to Andorra)
Fully vaccinated: No tests required
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Require a COVID recovery certificate from the past 6 months
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: 12 to 17 year olds must complete a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival, or have a COVID recovery certificate from the past 6 months.
Switzerland
Fully vaccinated: No tests required
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Not eligible to travel
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: Under 18s are allowed entry
US
Fully vaccinated: Take a negative COVID test no more than 1 day before travel
Adults who are not fully vaccinated: Not eligible to travel
Kids who are not fully vaccinated: 17 and under can travel by completing a negative COVID test one day before travel, followed by a test 3 to 5 days after arrival.
(Cannon Mountain, also top)
