Switzerland under pressure to close ski resorts to avoid ‘unfair competition’

European Union hopes to reach a deal

Skiers beside Lac des Vaux above Verbier (EPA)

Switzerland is coming under pressure to close its ski resorts over the festive season in order to avoid “unfair competition”.  

The European Union has said it is hoping to reach a deal with the country in order to create a level playing field.

Alpine neighbours France, Italy, Germany and Austria have all been forced to close their slopes for much of the holiday season amid the pandemic.

“Concerning Switzerland, talks are ongoing,” France's junior Minister of European Affairs, Clement Beaune, told RMC radio.  

“It's the sole point where coordination is not quite there yet. But we're talking to Swiss authorities to avoid any type of unfair competition.”

Both the French and Italian prime ministers have already called the president of Switzerland’s governing federal council to demand the country also shut down its slopes, officials in Bern told theFinancial Times.

But so far the country, which is not an EU or EEA member but is part of the single market, has failed to comply.

One French resort on the border with Switzerland, Châtel, protested its enforced closure by displaying Swiss flags around the town.

A spokesperson for the Swiss tourist board told The Independent: “In Switzerland, representatives of the Federal Council, the authorities and the tourism industry are convinced that the winter season and winter sports – which overwhelmingly happen outdoors - can take place safely.  

“The ski industry in Switzerland has safety protocols and special precautions in place in order to be ready for the winter season and ready to welcome guests. The safety protocols and concepts in the mountain resorts had proven to work during the busy summer season, including the ‘Clean & Safe’ initiative which encourages suppliers to go above and beyond government requirements with regards to Covid-safety measures.” 

They added: “The ski resorts play an important part for the tourism industry in Switzerland for international guests but especially also for the domestic market. Spending time in the winter wonderland of the Swiss Alps – the largest and most beautiful outdoor fitness centre – not only during Christmas but during the whole winter season is very important for people in Switzerland, with skiing often being called the ‘national sport’ of Switzerland. So while the borders are open for visitors from the UK, and there’s no quarantine upon arrival, the focus of the season this year is on the domestic market.”

The decision to keep Swiss resorts open has caused outrage in other quarters.

A photo shared on social media, showing a large crowd gathered around a ski lift in Verbier, drew widespread criticism.

Posted on Facebook by Valais chef Didier de Courten, the photo was uploaded alongside the caption:  

“Today in Verbier an incredible situation, when we, the owners of cafes and restaurants, have closed our establishments on the order of the Council of State since 4 November to halt the evolution of the pandemic. And save the ski season. It is really a scandal to destroy our efforts by inappropriate behaviour.”

He called on the government to have “courage” and “not shirk their responsibilities” to make the difficult decisions, such as shutting the slopes.  

Christophe Darbellay, president of the Valais Council of State, responded to the photo by saying it was “unacceptable that Verbier was unable to organise correct queues, with barriers, markings on the ground and strict reminder of the rules,” particularly “when the whole of Europe is watching”.