The ski lifts will reopen on January 7, except for "health disaster"

Ski resorts will not be able to open the ski lifts during the Christmas holidays but they may be able to do so from January 7th

During a meeting with mountain professionals this Friday, Jean Castex, the Prime Minister, announced this date while taking several precautions.

This will depend on changes in sanitary conditions and strict compliance with a sanitary protocol.

🔔 @JeanCASTEX announces with caution the date of January 7, 2021, depending on the evolution of the health situation, for the opening of the ski lifts in strict compliance with health protocols

- ANETT (@ANETT_tourisme) December 11, 2020

A glimmer of hope for the mountain world which comes at the same time to suffer a refusal by the Council of State on the possibility of opening the ski lifts during the end of year celebrations.

Indeed, several elected officials and mountain professionals had lodged an appeal with the Council of State to contest the ban on opening ski lifts during the Christmas holidays which represent 15% of turnover and the employment of 120 000 people.

But in an order issued on Friday, the Council of State sided with the arguments of the administration which took this measure to limit the flow of traffic, the mixing of populations while the second wave of the epidemic is far away. to be completed.

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According to the Council of State, this measure "does not cause the freedoms invoked, despite its undifferentiated character according to the regions, a serious and clearly illegal attack".

"Only outdoor activity prohibited"

During the hearing on Wednesday, lawyers from the mountain world argued against a measure they considered "inappropriate, disproportionate, unnecessary."

"He added:" Alpine skiing is the only outdoor activity prohibited "in mountain resorts, refuting any specific risk linked to ski lifts or" mixing of populations "while" 70 to 80% of our customers come with the family.

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Professionals also recalled that 95% of ski-related accidents are taken care of by the offices of city doctors and the remaining 5% are “easily absorbed” by public and private hospitals.

During this meeting with the Prime Minister, the professionals also asked for a territorialized support system and the request to open negotiations with Brussels to remove the ceiling on the aid of ski lift operators.

Meeting with the Prime Minister today:

- possibly opening from January 7

- territorialized support system #Stations #Montagne

- negotiation with #Brussels to remove the ceiling for ski lift operators' aid

- securing areas

🙏😅

- Ski Areas (@DSkiables) December 11, 2020