As France eases lockdown, ski resorts left out in the cold

A chairlift is pictured after the announcement of an extension of the lockdown to January 20 for French ski resorts during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Megeve, France, November 25, 2020. REUTERS/Cecile Mantovani

MEGEVE, France (Reuters) - Megeve, in the foothills of Mont Blanc, was gearing up to welcome back skiers before Christmas after a COVID-19 lockdown was eased.

But France's government - while allowing cinemas, museums and theatres to reopen from Dec. 15 - says its ski slopes must stay off limits until 2021, leaving those who make their living in the Alpine village frustrated and, in some cases, perplexed.