France
Ski & snow
Whether you're a skier or snowboarder who's into the bunny hills or the black diamonds, take your fun in the snow to the next level with these traditional and lesser-known destinations.
France
The Alps - and the chance to ski in other countries on a whim.
The Alps in France extend 1,600 kilometres across the country, so it can be intimidating finding out where to approach it from on skis. But if you're a bit tactical, you can tackle them from two countries, staying in France and trying out the other side of the border too. Portes Du Soleil in France is just such a place. Here you can stay in luxury accommodation and enjoy 650 km of sunny slopes on the French side before skiing over to the Swiss side to load up on delicious fondue.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter France without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering France.
Travelers from Russia cannot fly directly to France.
This page covers COVID-19 related travel restrictions only. For other travel restrictions, please check the guidance from your local authorities.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
ParisNiceChessyCannes
Azerbaijan
Unique slopes and beautiful views of the Caucasus Mountains.
Azerbaijan may not be the first country you think of for skiing and snow, but that's exactly its appeal. You won't find long queues at the ski lifts and you'll have gorgeous views of the Caucasus all for yourself. The country features two ski resorts, Shahdag and Tufandag. Tufandag is slightly larger, but both offer pristine ski and snowboard conditions for the beginner and expert, plus activities like winter horseback riding and hiking to view frozen waterfalls.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Azerbaijan without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Azerbaijan.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in enclosed environments.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
BakuShekiGabala
Slovakia
A hidden gem of skiing opportunity with good prices in Europe.
Slovakia is one of the lesser-considered ski destinations, making it ideal for an affordable adventure in the Carpathian mountains. Here you'll find a whopping 27 ski resorts, all with well-maintained slopes to explore, spread through resorts like Jasná and Štrbské Pleso. Jasná itself offers 50 km of runs, so there's something for the beginner and the lover of black diamonds. In the evenings, soothe your muscles in one of their many spas.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Slovakia without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Slovakia.
Travelers from Russia are not able to travel or transit through this country. The European Union closed its airspace for all Russian planes.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
BratislavaKošicePopradBanská Bystrica
USA
Trying one of the more well-known resorts you've heard so much about.
There are so many great resorts across this massive country. Starting in the west, Squaw Valley is a must. As the largest ski resort in California, it boasts loads of snow and varied slopes. In Wyoming, Jackson Hole's got experts covered. It's one of the more advanced resorts in the US and suitable for more extreme skiing and snowboarding. If you're looking for something with a twist in Colorado, try Steamboat Resort, with its off-piste opportunities and hot springs. In the east, get to Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont for for best skiing in New England.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United States without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the United States.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required on public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
New YorkLas VegasOrlandoChicago
Poland
Relatively inexpensive skiing and a wide arrray of resorts.
Poland has been improving its ski game in the last years and today offers an impressive 269 resorts of different sizes and levels. The Zakopane area is relatively well-known, but Kasprowy Wierch, one of the area's slopes to choose from, is still under the radar. It only has four runs, but they go for 15 km at high altitudes, making for some fun-filled snowboarding and skiing. The slope is in a national park and no snow cannons are allowed - so make sure there's enough snow before you go.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Poland without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Poland.
Poland has closed its borders to Russians entering for tourism purposes.
This page covers COVID-19 related travel restrictions only. For other travel restrictions, please check the guidance from your local authorities.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
WarsawKrakowGdanskZakopane
Czech Republic
A multitude of resorts that offer fun for everyone.
The Czech Republic has the well-known resort Špindlerův Mlýn, and much more. This resort is very well-equipped and has all the amenities you could ever want - plus 90 km of cross-country ski trails! - but is just one of many exciting resorts. Dolní Morava resort has runs for beginners and intermediates, plus snow tubing, the country's longest bobsleigh track, a toboggan trail, cross country skiing and thermal hot springs. Kids will get the most out of Lipno, which has safe and gentle slopes, is not overhwelmingly big, and has treetop walking and ice-skating too.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Czech Republic without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic has closed its borders to Russians entering for tourism, sports, or cultural purposes.
This page covers COVID-19 related travel restrictions only. For other travel restrictions, please check the guidance from your local authorities.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
PragueBrnoČeský KrumlovCarlsbad
Uzbekistan
Virtually limitless possibilities for fun in the snow.
Not many make it to Uzbekistan to ski, but those who do are rewarded with virgin snow up to the hips and practically every opportunity to explore this winter wonderland. Whether slope skiing, snowmachining, heliskiing, trekking, tubing or the ultimate: guided off-piste tours down kilometres-long runs on untouched snow, the mountains don't disappoint. Try Amirsoy, which is the country's most modern and well-equipped resort. It's got 22 pists to explore for beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders, plus unlimited off-piste opportunities.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uzbekistan without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Uzbekistan.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in public spaces and public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
TashkentSamarkandBukharaFergana
Hire car
median price per day
Tashkent£72
SamarkandN/A
BukharaN/A
FerganaN/A
Georgia
Undiscovered ski playgrounds for enlightened snow lovers.
Though Georgia may seem almost as far away as USA in terms of flights and connections, it has in recent years gained some direct flight access from major airports across Europe. And once you're there, you can live and ski like royalty with extremely attractive prices on ski rental, accommodation and food. Not to mention the moutains! Gudauri is the country's most popular resort and a short drive from Tbilisi. There you'll have access to 56 km of pists, some at over 3,000 metres, that will make both beginners and experts happy. Travel a bit further to Bakuriani for fewer crowds and more challenging slopes.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Georgia without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Georgia.
Foreign travelers regardless of their vaccination status and purpose of travel can enter Georgia.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
TbilisiBatumiKobuletiStepantsminda
Namibia
An entirely different kind of snowboarding.
You guessed it - we're not talking about fun in the cold white snow here. Rather, imagine boarding smoothly down golden soft sand dunes in shorts and a t-shirt. Sandboarding has been around for a few years now and is an official sport, but dune skiing is still just emerging as an accessible adventure. Namibia is one of the best destinations to try either, with the highest sand dunes in the world. Using a special wax, your board can glide over the sand at ridiculously fast speeds (the world record is 82 km) so wear a helmet and be extra careful around any exposed rocks. Sandboarding is an experience you'll never forget - perfect for extreme sports enthusiasts and snowboarders who want to experience the difference between snow and sand.
Entry information
OpenMost visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Namibia without restrictions.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Namibia.
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Local summary
Masks:Not required in public spaces and public transportation.
Restaurants:Open
For more information, visit our guidance for global travel page.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
WindhoekSwakopmundWalvis BaySesriem
Morocco
Surprisingly good skiing in Africa.
Morocco is home to Oukaïmeden, Africa's highest ski resort, located in the gorgeous High Atlas Mountains. Here at 3,000 metres you'll find 10 km of ski slopes that are easily accessible by car a couple hours out of Marrakech. The resort is great for families to take an affordable day ski trip to enjoy the dry natural snow and out-of-this-world views. You can even go by donkey instead of shuttle bus or ski lift to get from slope to slope! Visit this resort for the retro charm, unique location and right to say you've actually skiied in Africa.
Flight, stay and hire car pricing per city
MarrakechAgadirCasablancaTangier