Postponement of ski resort reopenings prompts anger in Italy

There was an immediate backlash to the U-turn, which came a day after the new Mario Draghi-led government was sworn in, especially as resorts had been planning for weeks for the restart.

“A closure communicated at 7pm on the eve of the opening, planned for weeks, after months of work on protocols, hiring and preparation, is sincerely inconceivable,” said Erik Lavévaz, the president of the Valle d’Aosta region. “While understanding the health reasons, the procedure is not genuinely explainable.”

Attilio Fontana, the president of Lombardy, the region in Italy worst affected by coronavirus, said the abrupt decision was a “further serious blow to a sector that was painfully restarting”.

The ski season is a huge financial resource for Italy and many villages across the mountainous northern and central regions depend on it for survival. Coldiretti, the farmers’ association, estimates the economic loss to the sector and affiliated businesses at €10bn.

Roberto Speranza, who was reconfirmed as health minister by Draghi, said the affected businesses would soon be compensated.

Some resorts defied the decision and reopened ski stations on Monday, including Piana di Vigezzo in Craveggia, Piedmont. The resort welcomed its first 100 or so skiers from 8am.