Welcome to this special 'Good News' episode of The Ski Podcast. Regular listeners will know that in our 'normal' episodes we cover the latest travel rules and so it is absolutely a pleasure to report on some good news for a change.

I know it's been possible to travel to Switzerland, Austria, Italy and other ski nations - albeit with various restrictions - but more British skiers travel to France every winter than any other country and for that reason the travel ban that's been in place since December 18th has been hugely depressing.

It affected many family ski holidays (let alone family reunions that would have taken place) over Christmas and New Year and businesses as diverse as large tour operators to cafes, restaurants and even individual ski instructors.

But here's the good news - the travel ban will be lifted on Friday 14 January. You'll have to pass through the now usual hoops of vaccination and testing, but French ski holidays are now back on.

https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1481553508063141891

Was there ever any justification for the ban in the first place? Probably about as much as when the UK created the 'Amber+' category for France last summer. Undoubted 'tit for tat' policking, but from this weekend, it's over and let's hope it stays that way to the end of the season.

And here's your bonus good news - it may not mean as much to you as it does to me, but I'm so pleased to let you know that The Ski Podcast has been nominated for 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in The Sports Podcast Awards.

The Ski Podcast has grown to become my full-time, part-time job and, quite frankly, got me through last winter when we couldn't ski at all. My mental health was a mess, but the podcast kept me, more than anything, connected, in a winter that never happened.

There's now 134 episodes available and I love the fact that around 100 get listened to every week, all around the world.

I'd like to sign off this good news special by asking that if you've enjoyed listening to The Ski Podcast, whether it's just this episode or since we first started over four years ago, that you consider voting for us in the Sports Podcast Awards.

It's very easy and only takes a minute: simply to go sportspodcastawards.com, register, go to the 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in the Categories, click the 'Vote for your favourite' button and vote for 'The Ski Podcast'.

Thank you so much, I really do appreciate it. 

Our next regular episode will be out on 24 January, so until then, thank you for your time and goodbye.

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