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Original poster

Is anyone feeling nervous about their 21/22 ski trip?

665 replies

StolenAwayOn55thand3rd · 12/10/2021 12:02

I realise that I'm probably being silly. I fully recognise that covid has made me a bit irrationally anxious about crowds, busy places, etc. So on that note... We have a large and normally busy resort in France booked (booked pre covid and shifted from last year to this). We're going to a catered chalet with DH's family which includes his child free siblings who will want to go out partying.
I'm a bit worried about ski resorts being covid hotbeds this winter (remembering Whistler last year) and what will happen if we end up with it - we won't be able to travel home presumably so where will we stay? Not to mention the possibility of actually getting ill, though DH and I are both vaccinated so I know that's unlikely.
Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is having similar thoughts or if I'm being really foolish.

OP posts:
BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 08/12/2021 15:17

Good news from Austria! Looks like we are going next week!

www.thelocal.at/20211208/breaking-these-covid-measures-to-apply-in-austria-from-sunday/

JeremiahObadiahJackanoryJonez · 08/12/2021 15:36

Huzzah @BlackLambAndGreyFalcon!!! I’m feeling excited again after being in the doldrums about France.

I’m seeing the potential financial hammering on covid tests as a great was to kickstart Jan healthy eating if all we can afford on our return is rice and beans Grin

mnp321 · 08/12/2021 17:11

We have to make the decision on our Swiss holiday (18th) tomorrow. I've got my head round the current testing requirements but am unsure whether the U.K. government will add some more in the next week....

We're already testing three times, I think a fourth test or quarantine until day 8 after arrival back could strike the fatal blow.

Hophop26 · 08/12/2021 18:47

I’m with you, can tolerate the 3 tests but if they add in day 8 tests tor quarantine for longer on returning that will probably be us done and will have to give up

abricotine · 08/12/2021 19:05

Just having watched the presser, it makes no sense they would do that - Omicron is already here, doubling rapidly, and bound to overtake Delta in the next few weeks. I can't see quarantine helping that situation. Here's hoping anyway!

mnp321 · 08/12/2021 20:08

With all the uproar about 2020 parties, further travel restrictions weren't asked about. Hopefully the current situation might stay the same for a couple of weeks at least so we all know where we are.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 08/12/2021 20:11

Seems bonkers DH can't go to work next week but we can go on holiday in 10 days....

LittleEsme · 08/12/2021 20:43

I'm trying to scan through this thread for updates on France skiing for Feb half term. Does anyone know?

LittleEsme · 08/12/2021 21:33

Also, if proof of a positive PCR test within a 6 month period is suffice, can we obtain this proof / QR code retrospectively? 3 in our party have had covid in Early November.

NinnyNewName · 08/12/2021 23:39

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Seems bonkers DH can't go to work next week but we can go on holiday in 10 days....
I agree and DH and I were saying this earlier. The news conference was quite sobering. The speed at which cases are doubling and the fact that hospitals admissions are low because those getting it so far are young.

Two weeks today we are supposed to be up a mountain in France. It seems inconceivable that we will be.

People are told to work from home and mask up everywhere (no problem with either, btw). Are we really going to be going to LHR, getting on a plane, sitting on a packed coach for a 3 hour transfer etc?

I just can't see it.

Espirt emailed yesterday. It's all on us re all the requirements (again, fine). People can move their holidays if travelling in 28+ days (from last week) which doesn't include us.

Freezingmyarseoff · 09/12/2021 14:05

I’m still wavering on whether to pull the plug on our ski holiday to France leaving on 17th. Got until Sunday to get a full refund on accommodation. I still haven’t arranged any tests yet either.

I can get my head round the predeparture testing etc but I have a single vaccinated teen (as well as younger children) so will need to do daily testing there too. We can manage the cost but it going to add quite a bit.

My bigger concern is whether it’s actually a good idea to travel when cases are only going to increase. And I’m also apprehensive of one or more of us catching it while we’re there. And how likely it is we can avoid it. How stressful will it be?

On the other hand life is for living and perhaps we should go now as I don’t know when the next opportunity might be.

Anyone else having similar thoughts? I do have a tendency to overthink things and stress myself out.

reallyagain · 09/12/2021 14:10

Freezing I would go in your case but it's a very personal choice in terms of risk and benefit. I do err on the side of taking these opportunities when we can, given as we know they can be taken away

mincepiesallround · 09/12/2021 14:15

My bigger concern is whether it’s actually a good idea to travel when cases are only going to increase. And I’m also apprehensive of one or more of us catching it while we’re there. And how likely it is we can avoid it. How stressful will it be?

This is exactly where I am. I’m very worried about one of us getting it out there (probably exacerbated by the fact that, the only person in our family who has had covid so far, caught it on holiday…) I keep thinking that with all the testing going on, cases in resort should actually be pretty low, but then I think about all the hot overcrowded restaurants and that it wouldn’t take many to start spreading round pretty quickly!

freelions · 09/12/2021 14:23

It's such a difficult decision, especially when you have a single vaccinated teenager in the mix

We are due to travel on 27th December and currently leaning towards not going for similar reasons to you @Freezingmyarseoff

We have the added complication of our plans involving the Hull to Rotterdam ferry and then driving down to France via Holland and Belgium

We would all dearly love to go but the extra time, cost and faff of all the testing plus the significant risk of one of us testing positive and not being able to return home (or even worse not being able to ski!) are making me think its just not worth it

Freezingmyarseoff · 09/12/2021 14:27

Plus apparently I’m CEV. I was offered a third vaccine in September (I didn’t quite realise I might be at higher risk until then). It’s certainly weighing on my mind.

mincepiesallround · 09/12/2021 14:36

Could you get a booster before going freezing? Appointments local to me are apparently very easy to come by.

I feel quite downhearted about it all tbh. Pre covid skiing was the highlight of the year. We haven’t really talked to the kids about the trip because we don’t want them to be disappointed if we cancel.

Freezingmyarseoff · 09/12/2021 14:49

I’m not due my booster until 30th Dec, so I don’t think they’ll give it to me early.

It’s slightly reassuring to know there are other people also in the same dilemma , not that it makes the decision any easier. I keep thinking that’s it, we’re not going and then I think it’s time to stop hiding away, got to get on with adventures

mnp321 · 09/12/2021 16:18

To confuse things further, Sajid Javid announced today that the government plans to remove the current travel restrictions "very soon". Our tests for Switzerland will be around £600 so we'd rather not order tests if we won't need all of them. I wish the government would be clear about exactly what's needed for the next 3 week period and stick with it.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 09/12/2021 16:24

@mnp321

To confuse things further, Sajid Javid announced today that the government plans to remove the current travel restrictions "very soon". Our tests for Switzerland will be around £600 so we'd rather not order tests if we won't need all of them. I wish the government would be clear about exactly what's needed for the next 3 week period and stick with it.
Me too. I've booked my tests for the return trip. Will be v pissed off if I've forked out needlessly for airport PCR tests!
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/12/2021 18:03

£300 here but the most expensive is the French pre departure tests since we had to get the time sensitive PCRs

ChrissyHynde · 09/12/2021 18:36

Anyone got an email from crystal today , stating pubs , nightclubs and apres ski bars will be closed (our resort is st Anton) ? How do people interpret this ? The towns website states they are opening up after this weekend. Anyone know anything about mountain restaurant situation ? Waffling but I'm loosing the will to live. I'm away tomorrow morning and not back til Sunday and need to make some decision

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 09/12/2021 18:43

Apres-ski bars are closed, but "normal" bars (and restaurants) are open (up until 11pm curfew). What this means in practice is that they can't play loud/live music, patrons have to be seated and have to register if they want to stay longer than 15 minutes.

FoodieToo · 09/12/2021 19:07

I think we will cancel. We are in Dublin and travelling through London to Salzburg. Refunds available on everything .
Tests costing almost a grand ( euro )at this stage. It's just too much on top of a very expensive holiday . There are 7 of us. Feel very ripped off by the pharmacy in Soll charging 85 euro per test !!!
I think the joy of skiing will be overshadowed by all the testing , form filling etc.
SO sad and disappointed - missed last year too obviously .
If it were just my husband and I we would chance it but there are too many unknowns to make this holiday relaxing !

reallyagain · 09/12/2021 19:15

It will be so irritating if they remove test requirement just after we travel!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/12/2021 19:33

If you were a pair of ski poles, where would you hide?
They aren't with the skis. We have moved house since they were last used, we think (we know we've moved house. Its whether the poles have been used on the dry slope. The skis aren't used on it...)