The Current Situation

[Updated 16/12/20]  Ski lifts are currently not expected to run until January 2021.  With a delayed start to winter following recent restrictions imposed by the French government on ski lift operations, news of an official season commencement date is eagerly awaited by the alpine community as a whole.  The most recent announcement suggests that resorts will be allowed to operate as of January 7th, 2021, on the condition that Covid-19 transmission rates continue to decline sufficiently.

In the meantime, all alpine villages remain open and fully accessible to tourists; simply without downhill skiing on the cards for the time being.  All shops are now allowed to open as usual, while restaurants and bars allowed to offer take-away menus.  Restaurants and bars are currently expecting to be allowed to operate as normal as of January 20th.

Accommodation providers are operating as usual, with appropriate sanitary precautions in place.  Tourists are being encouraged to come and enjoy the delights of the Alps for the Christmas and New Year festive period and reminded that there are plenty of activities to enjoy while the ski lifts are closed.  Activities such as Nordic skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing and sledding can be practised on an individual basis.

The ZigZag team will be offering the following activities during the resort closure period: 

• Ski touring & splitboard initiation sessions for novices
• Ski touring & splitboard guidance for intermediate and advanced tourers
• Guided snowshoe outings
• Nordic ski lessons

For more information about these activities please contact our office team via our contact page or by telephone (+33631204410).  You can also use this number to reach us via WhatsApp!

Meanwhile, here at ZigZag we have been carefully planning.  We’re now pleased to announce a set of new protocols we’ll be putting in place (as soon as lifts open!) that will allow you to plan your ski holiday in Samoens with confidence, safe in the knowledge that health risks are being minimised and that booking with ZigZag is more flexible than ever.

Antiviral Face Masks

In anticipation of what is guaranteed to be a very special winter season, our primary objective is to implement sanitary measures that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of both our clients and instructors.

With this in mind, all ZigZag instructors will be equipped with NEP neck warmers that also serve as face masks.  These are fully approved, UNS1 graded antiviral masks with a filtration rate of 95%.  They’re washable and will also be available for you to purchase from our office in Samoëns.

Reduced Group Numbers

This winter, as ever, ZigZag continues to guarantee our group lessons are limited at 8 participants per group, even during peak periods.  Our small group sizes ensure contact remains restricted between participants, while enabling our instructors to teach efficiently and safely.

Exclusive Meeting Point Access

In order to reduce contact between skiers this winter, we will be limiting access to our Samoens 1600 meeting point.  We request that just one parent or guardian accompanies children to lesson pick-up/drop-offs (ideally, the same parent all week).  Adult participants are asked to present themselves to lessons alone.  Those not attending ZigZag lessons are asked to remain clear of the meeting point in order to reduce congestion and maintain safe and responsible social distancing.

Disinfection of Shared Equipment

Bibs worn by children during group lessons will be washed and disinfected at the end of each week.  Each child will be given a bib to keep all week.  Parents are asked to bring their child to lessons wearing the bib each morning and at the end of the week, bibs will be collected by instructors for washing and sanitising.

Remote Booking & Office Protocols

In order to limit contact, we recommend bookings are made remotely, by email, telephone, WhatsApp, or via our online booking system.  Our office will also be open every day throughout the winter season for last minute bookings.  Legislation requires that an antiviral mask is to be worn by every person entering the office space.  In order to reduce contact, we request that no more than two customers occupy the office space at any one time.  We also require that upon arrival, customers sterilise their hands with the hydroalcoholic gel provided at the entrance.

Larger Scale Health Protocols 

The GMDS Grand Massif Domaine Skiable and Samoëns local council have also implemented reinforced sanitary measures in alignment with local and federal legislation.

Everyone 11 years and over is required to wear an antiviral face mask in the following situations:

• While buying lift passes
• While using public transport (ski buses)
• While using the ski lift system (cable cars, chair lifts, button lifts, etc)
• In lift queues (queuing at the foot of a cable car, ski lift, button lift, etc)
• At ski school meeting points
• Within retail shops (includes ski school offices, ski hire shops)
• Within restaurants, bars, cafés, bakeries, etc (except when seated)

Essentially, you should expect to wear a mask at all times, except when actually skiing/snowboarding downhill, or when seated to consume food or beverages.

Increased Booking Flexibility with ZigZag

In order to help you plan your ski holiday with ease of mind, ZigZag’s conditions of sale have been relaxed, to make booking easier for you. You’ll find our revised Terms and Conditions detailed in full here.

Below, we’ve summarised the modifications applying to cancellations, which are designed to offer you more flexibility in the event you have to cancel your booking.

• Up to 28 days before the first lesson, a refund equal to your reservation value will be issued (a fixed admin fee of 50€ will be withheld)
• Between 28 days and 48 hours before your first lesson, a credit or refund will offered in the following circumstances:
  • If the Grand Massif Domaine Skiable is closed due to COVID-19 and you cannot participate in your lesson as a consequence.
  • If the border to France is closed and you cannot enter the country, and cannot participate in your lesson as a consequence.
  • If the border of your country of residence is closed and you cannot leave the country, or re-enter after your holiday, and cannot participate in your lesson as a consequence.

In these cases you will be offered a 100% credit, or a refund equal to 80% of the value of your reservation (a 20% administrative fee will be retained).

ZigZag : We’re Here to Help

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions you might have, we’re very happy to help.  Our office team is available by email, telephone or WhatsApp (0033631204410).