Italy ski resorts stay closed for now due to COVID

Ski resorts in Italy will not open to the public until at least February 15, the Italian government has announced. Authorities had set the reopening date to January 18, but have opted for a further postponement over fears of resorts becoming COVID-19 hotspots.

Operators have expressed their worries the latest delay means the winter season might not start at all. Even if resorts will be allowed to reopen on February 15, COVID-19 restrictions may considerably limit their business.

The Milky Way ski area is the largest in Italy with over 400 kilometers of slopes. Sestrieres SPA employs about 400 people, most of them seasonal workers, who have not been hired this winter season due to the closures.

Half of the company's staff is on payroll subsidies, according to marketing director Massimo Bonetti. Sestriere was an Winter Olympics venue in 2006 and is very popular with foreign skiers, due to its facilities and close proximity to Turin's Caselle airport.