The easing of the lockdown in France started on the 11th May 2020.

The High Mountain Police (PGHM) have warned that it is the end of tolerance during the COVID-19 confinement and they will start issuing fines (135 euros) to anyone they find breaking the French govern

French and Italian mountain rescue services have called on backcountry enthusiasts to keep out of the mountains during the Corona Virus lockdown.

The ski forums have been abuzz with rumours that France is about to follow other European countries in making winter tires compulsory.

A bye-law has been passed banning wild camping on le Mont Blanc from June to the end of September. People caught breaking the rules can be fined 300,000 euros and face 2 years in prison.

The French national parks have been getting tough on skiers found in nature reserves.

British ski instructor Simon Butler has one another important legal battle in French courts.

A 31 year old Swiss climber who called the French rescue services claiming to have frostbite has been fined 3000 euros, 1500 of which are suspended for “giving false information leading to a rescue”.

On the 9th of December 2010 and independent snowboard instructor from Val d‘Isère and one of his clients, a surgeon from Aix-en-Provence were caught by an avalanche in the “couloir des pisteurs” on

It is a story that has set the keyboards of ski forum users’ clattering.