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.

Thank you @Havanananana! That'll add about 400 Euros to our ski holiday cost then but needs must... funnily enough the DDs will probably be double jabbed by then (due to DH's condition) but the NHS won't provide a Covid pass for under 16s and I have no idea if a letter from the GP will be accepted as proof. Any ideas?

I’ve read in a few places that the under 16 NHS covid travel pass is a work in progress but not read any timelines yet. Fingers crossed it won’t take too long.

@Schulte

Strictly speaking you just need to provide proof of vaccination. Ideally this would be an official "Certificate" but for entry into Austria other forms of proof, including a doctor's certificate, would seem to be acceptable. Children under 18 currently don't need a vaccination certificate to enter the country if accompanied by fully vaccinated adults (but in that case they do need a negative test) and they do need a test or certificate to enter a hotel, restaurant or cafe, and to use the ski lifts.

From: www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations#:~:text=Entry%20Regulations%20for%20Austria%201%20Required%20Documents%3A%20Proof,enter%20Austria%3F%20...%203%20Issue%20of%20Visas.%20

What proof is accepted? (for entry into Austria)

Proof of negative test, vaccination, or past infection can be a doctor's certificate, an official test result ... either in German or English

Hopefully this would also suffice for using the lifts and for entry into hotels, restaurants and mountain huts etc.

Thank you so much!

I'm feeling nervous about travelling with a teenager (single vaxxed) to France in the holidays. I have my head around the pass sanitaire and the testing but very worried about what happens with a positive result. Does anyone know?

I wish they could just have the second dose!!

Courchevel for us- on a snow day you can’t eat outside and the tables tend to be quite close. Triple jabbed so hoping for the best..

@Schulte

and anyone else going to Austria.

In response to the high levels of infection, the rules have changed with effect from Monday 8th November.

The most important change is that access to hotels, tourist accommodation, cafes and restaurants and ski lifts is now only possible for people who have been double-vaccinated or who have proof of recovery. PCR and antigen tests are no longer sufficient.

As this applies to everyone aged 12 and over, this is potentially going to present a problem for UK families with teenage children because these are not being offered more than one jab and their NHS records are not easily available if under 16. Teenagers from other countries are also impacted by this and the Austrian government is considering what to do for this age group.

www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information

Thank you! Yes, anxiously watching the news to see how this develops. Good to hear that they are trying to find a solution for teenagers. DD1 is double jabbed and DD2 should be by then but proving it may be difficult!

Thanks for that summary Havana. Will be in St Anton for Christmas with a 17 year old who currently seems to be a bit of a problem !

There are a couple of useful threads on taking UK teenagers skiing this winter over on the Snowheads forum. Amongst other bits of information, people are explaining how to access vaccination and recovery certificates for teenagers using the NHS app and NHS GP records.

One thread concerns teenagers in general; one is specifically about travelling to Austria.

I just seen this today, we are booked to go at Christmas, we have an unvaccinated teen, not if we should try to cancel the holiday or hold tight to see if they come up with a solution?

An watching this also, DD 15 and single vaccinated and 80 other students from her school are booked for Austria school ski trip the week before Christmas. School are currently looking at alternative options apparently.

@Havanananana

There are a couple of useful threads on taking UK teenagers skiing this winter over on the Snowheads forum. Amongst other bits of information, people are explaining how to access vaccination and recovery certificates for teenagers using the NHS app and NHS GP records.

One thread concerns teenagers in general; one is specifically about travelling to Austria.

Thank you! Never heard of that forum. I will investigate!

Still have no further update currently on the rules for minors aged 12 to 17.

Is it possible to link to the threads on the Snowheads forum?

There is nothing to update - the Austrian government has not made any changes to the rules regarding unvaccinated teens from abroad.

If anything, the infection rates are getting worse and it is expected that there will be an announcement tomorrow (Friday 12th Nov.) regarding what to do next - which might very well result in a full or partial lockdown across the country.

Snowheads >

Taking teenagers skiing:
www.snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=156480

Austria restrictions in general (note that entry restrictions to the country and restrictions on skiing, hotels and restaurants etc are two different sets of restrictions):
www.snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=153006&start=3440

Yes, I am worrying about our trip to France with a 13 year old…

Thanks for that @notimagain

Boris had announced this morning , 16-17 year old can have a second jab , 12 weeks from the first one. Solves my problem

Solves it for one of my children but not the other.. Contemplating leaving that one behind?

It seems to me that proof of a positive pcr with the past 180 days will be good for 12-15 for Austria (as it stands) to access hotels/ski lifts etc

I have to say that much as I would like to go, the admin feels like a step too far for me this season - have a 15 year old who is falling in the gap.

It seems to me that proof of a positive pcr with the past 180 days will be good for 12-15 for Austria (as it stands) to access hotels/ski lifts etc

@reallyagain Where have you read this? That is not the situation as I understand it, although regulations are constantly changing. AFAIK over 12's need to be double-vaccinated (or until 6th Dec. can be single vaxed + a PCR)

The 2G rule means vaccinated or recovered. So with proof of recovery you should be fine (as things stand).

Very excited here. We’re due to go to Val Thorens for 10 days in January (delayed from a new year break 2020/2021). Normally go to the three valleys or Tignes. We commute into London most weeks so feel more exposed there than on an open mountain. The only downside is that I’ve just found out I’m pregnant so no vin rouge and fondue for me 😢

@reallyagain

My mistake. Proof of past infection and recovery - i.e. a positive PCR within 180 days - is also acceptable for entry to the country and for entry to hotels, ski lifts etc. for over-12's