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

[StolenAwayOn55thand3rd]

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.

Thanks @Caspianberg, that's really helpful. We're flying into Salzburg. Worth knowing that the DC need to wear masks too.
We've got a private transfer from the airport this time.

Thank you for the information, fingers crossed.

[quote notimagain]French language discussion of prospects for French ski season here:

www.stationski.fr/ouverture-condition-station-ski-2021-2022-covid[/quote]
@notimagain merci….

Can I confirm re: Austria and 3g certification and children? I'm hoping to go in December with DH (I'm double vaccinated, DH should be triple vaccinated by then) and our 9 year old (who obviously is not vaccinated).

I was under the impression that under the current rules (which obviously could change in the interim) while we would all need to wear masks (and those of the medical grade for DH and I), DD would not need a 3g certification or need to take LFTs to use the lifts or go into restaurants. We're going to the Tirol so nowhere near Vienna.

DH and I are going snowboarding in St Anton in January and we are very excited. Stop worrying about what ifs and look forward to a wonderful trip 🏂

@StolenAwayOn55thand3rd was Whistler a hotbed last year? DH and I were there in March, the mountain closed 4 days after we left but everything was open as usual for the duration.

We are going to Austria fit the first time next year, very excited and hoping for the best. As long as we're vaccinated there's not much else we can do. Got to live life.

@BlackLambAndGreyFalcon

As you are both vaccinated, your assumption is correct - your 9-year-old can enter Austria without a test or vaccine, and does not need a test or vaccine to enter the hotel, restaurant or use the ski lifts. The only exception is in Vienna, which is far away from where you are going to.

FFP2 masks are required almost everywhere where there are other people, although your child can use a "blue" mask or a snood. You'll need these for the transfer bus or public transport from the airport to your resort or hotel, so get some in advance.

Latest rules for entering Austria (in English):
www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations

Latest rules for hotels, cafes, ski lifts etc in Austria (in English):
www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/tests

@NutellaEllaElla According to my friends who live in BC, yes. Basically a side effect of lots of young people living in close proximity and partying together, similar to Uni Halls I guess. Eg www.google.co.uk/amp/s/beta.ctvnews.ca/local/british-columbia/2021/3/30/1_5368812.html

Thanks @Havanananana. That's very helpful.

We've decided today to get the train from Salzburg to the resort as it's about half the cost and really easy (we got the train last time too). We'll be masked up for the trip then.

So what will a 12-15y old with the UK one vaccine have to do on a ski trip to Austria?

@Sonex - a 12-15 year old will need to test every few days I think if only one vaccine. I’m not 100% though

The FfP2 mask thing I have noticed more that last few weeks that regular shops now say FfP2 if not double vaccinated. Only supermarkets and public transport ask ffp2. So in general if your double vaccinated you have more ‘freedom’.

Restaurants and cafes are very hot on entry only with 3G pass where we are. Which is very easy to do if you have. I’m afraid I only have 1 year old so he’s always been exempt so not uk to date on teenagers. If your on a ski package holiday I imagine most companies your going with will know though so double check nearer the time

@Sonex

Over 12's who are not fully vaccinated need a negative test in order to enter Austria, and then negative tests in order to enter hotels, cafes etc and in order to use the ski lifts.

This potentially presents a problem for British travellers. (Most other countries are offering full vaccination to children aged 12 and over).

Tbh my 14y old is used to doing daily or near daily tests so it won't bother him and we can get the fit to fly certified pcr on the way out. I'm just wondering how/wher we do the in repsrt tests and how you evidence them.

@Sonex

Unless the resorts set up free testing stations, your child will probably need to have the antigen test taken at the local pharmacy, which will issue a test result (by text to your phone) within around 30 minutes.

It is currently usually possible to just walk in to a pharmacy and take the test, but this becomes less practical if or when there is a significant number of people requiring a test each morning before they can go skiing. It will also cost you €25 a test, and the test is only valid for 48 hours.

@Sonex - as above, we can just go to local pharmacy here and get free tests done with result emailed or you can wait 10-15 mins for paper print out. I think they will be €25 for non residents.
Austria really needs a good winter ski tourist season. So I’m sure resorts will have extra pop up stations or buses for tests as well. Possibly inside some hotels as well.

I think it’s a slight inconvenience (and cost), but it shouldn’t affect holiday much so worth doing

@squashyhat

Yes. My diamond shoes are pinching a bit as well.

You need boots and they can be tight so try not to worry. Being a twat is more of a concern though

While I appreciate all that the resorts are doing to encourage people to book.. I wonder at what point the health authorities will say that cases in the UK are just too high compared to the rest of Europe.

I wouldn't be particularly worried about catching covid skiiing. Is likely to be a highly vaccinated environment. You do know that covid cases are currently about 20 times higher in the UK than continental europe, right?

I would be worried about
a. catching covid before i went hence having to cancel at last minute
b. Europe imposing restrictions on british travelling given how ridiculously high our covid cases are.

Yes, I’m aware our cases are much higher in the UK than Europe. Ironically after starting this thread my DD caught covid on holiday in England last week. Must’ve been on the drive from home to holiday cottage as she wasn’t really exposed to anyone else otherwise. She’s been very ill.

Thanks Caspian and Havana for the helpful info - sounds like Austria won't be too bad. We are only going for 6 days and DS is fine with testing. We will have the 50 quid 72 hours PCR fit to fly to get there which I guess will last him the first day (easy to get as we live near the gatwick drive through, have used it twice before). Then I guess 3 of the pharmacy lateral flows for the $75 - as others have said, not a hugely significant cost compared to the cost of a ski holiday for a family of 5 .... plus we booked flights and accommodation some time ago when it was unusually cheap.

It sounds a lot more doable than all the prophets of doom over on the coronavirus threads are making out - some people really dont want people to travel or have holidays do they? I personally am over it - we have done everything right, none of us have ever caught covid. We are all vaccinated, 14y old as much as he can be. We wear masks and practice v good hygiene standards, we will all test before and during our stay. We are not high risk for bringing covid into Austria.

[quote notimagain]French language discussion of prospects for French ski season here:

www.stationski.fr/ouverture-condition-station-ski-2021-2022-covid[/quote]
@notimagain so you know what they're saying on that discussion please? I don't speak French

Technically the fit to fly won’t work for the passe sanitaire as it needs an EU QR code to scan in their verification app. The whole French system of testing is digitalised abs online not like the scrappy certificates we have here! But someone on another Travel thread said her teenager was waved through with a U.K. bit of paper despite not having the QR code. It depends on the individual checking I guess! If you need to buy a ski
Pass with it (still under discussion) it may be stricter.

@OhCobblers

Very long story, which starts with a round up and grumble about how bad last season was….

Then, and I’ll make this a brief summary and restrict it to the specific comments on France, it’s that, fingers crossed, the authorities are hoping a close to normal season can be achieved as long as the national Covid situation stays as it is ATM (low number of reported cases)…

The plan is for lifts to be open and a passé sanitaire will not required to use those, but skiers will have to respect the normal national regs with regards to presenting their passé sanitaire for entry into restaurants and bars etc, at the ski resort.

All this of course subject to change if the Covid situation deteriorates.

There’s further comment at the bottom of the piece about Switzerland, Austria etc but that info might have changed since publication so comment on that probably best left to someone more local.

The only thing I feel nervous about is that we might have to cancel it again. Austria at Xmas with two teenagers. How is that going to work with the 3G rule? I’d happily get them tested every day but I can’t find any information about a test centre in the resort

@Schulte

Tests in Austria are currently available simply by walking in to the local pharmacy. Antigen tests cost €25 and the result is sent by email or text to your phone in about 30 minutes.

This might become a problem if hundreds of people need testing every day - the pharmacy would be overwhelmed - but there is talk of mobile or temporary testing centres being set up in resort if necessary. It is only really the UK that is not double-vaccinating teenagers - most other EU countries are fully vaccinating everyone over 12 - so perhaps the demand might not be too great.