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 fir your replies. I won't cancel yet then. We are booked through Crystal and can move it fee free (I think)

@Hairyhat

The current rules (at 28 Nov) regarding vaccination in Austria do not apply to children aged 11 and under, so your child would be fine as long as the adults that they are travelling with are fully vaccinated (or recovered) and can show evidence of this. Ski lifts, restaurants, cafes etc would all be accessible, but FFP2 masks would be required - available in all supermarkets and lift stations for 59 cents, but bring some with you as you'll need them in the airport and for the transfer coach.

However as you presumably know, all tourist accommodation is currently closed as Austria is in a 20 day lockdown. There will be a review after 10 days, but as the situation has only slightly improved since last week and the Omicron strain has since emerged, it seems highly unlikely that the 20 day lockdown will be ended early - i.e. it will continue at least until mid-December.

Decisions are being made regularly in response to the changing situation. I'll try to post updates as they are announced.

We are due to go skiing in Morzine, flying London to Geneva 19th Dec. Obviously, that’s not happening now. Looking at getting brand new flights with a different airline and transferring our current flights to another holiday in the future but it feels risky. As others have said, it all feels so up in the air.

Thank you for posting on the thread Havananana.
I'm feeling deflated and pessimistic about actually being able to go on our already rescheduled ski trip. I was really looking forward to it. I still haven't christened my new skis. I know, I know, tiny violins everywhere.

Thank you so much @Havanananana such useful and up to date information.
I would be very very grateful if you could update when you have anything different.
Appreciate everyone's replies actually. Mumsnet is so useful.

That's really helpful @Havanananana thank you! We have Austria at Feb half term, so a little while yet. I'm already starting to introduce the idea to DC that we might not be going though...

Gah. We are supposed to be skiing in France at half term. We were planning on driving there. We have two under 12s and one 12yr old who will only be single jabbed. Missed our half term holiday in October due to covid too. We were all so looking forward to Feb but it’s looking less and less likely. Like you TokyoSushi I think we will need to start managing expectations. Kicking myself for having mentioned it to the kids in the first place.

We sorted the kit ready for Christmas yesterday. Hate having to prepare for a holiday that might not happen, but we can't leave it all to the last minute.

The countries bringing in new restrictions for visitors from the UK are probably doing it because of the "perfect storm" combination rather than just the new variant:

Christmas travel- some countries will also undoubtedly be bringing in some travel restrictions within their own countries over the Christmas period- they can hardly let planeloads of British passengers in while restricting the movement of their own nationals.
Lower cases than in the UK that they don't want to jeopardize
Lack of restrictions in the UK leading to higher numbers
Teenagers not doubly vaccinated
Etc etc.

Ach it's just all gone to shit again it feels like. We finally managed to get DD an Italian Green Pass after fighting our way through bureaucracy on both sides and now I'm just waiting for another blocker.

We haven't seen DH's family in 2 years. They won't recognise DS who's transformed from a little boy into a hulking man. Bollocks to it all.

It's sounding like an announcement on 2nd vaccine for 12-15 may be soon

@reallyagain

It's sounding like an announcement on 2nd vaccine for 12-15 may be soon

Maybe even as soon as 3pm today!

Breaking news
JCVI announced 12-15 year old can get second jab at least 3 months after first!

@OhCobblers

Breaking news JCVI announced 12-15 year old can get second jab at least 3 months after first!

And everyone else to get their booster after 3 months. So France trips for adults after 15th Jan should be PCR testing free.

@AppleTree16
I didn't think that vaccinated adults needed PCR tests to enter France?

[quote OhCobblers]@AppleTree16
I didn't think that vaccinated adults needed PCR tests to enter France? [/quote]
They don’t.

From the 15th Jan you need your booster to get a pass sanitaire (France changed the rules). If you are doubly vaccinated it would have meant a PCR every 24 hours!

@AppleTree16 technically you need a booster if your second dose is over seven months old. Wise to assume this applies to tourists although initially was stated just to apply to French residents. Antigen is also accepted for the passe sanitaire but has to be done by a professional.

@abricotine I guess most U.K. tourists in Jan /Feb would have been over the 7 month mark since they were only gearing up to boost over 40s recently. Updated news today is much better.

Yes - I did see that it would only apply to French nationals but every other guidance has ended up being applied to tourists too so I was planning for worst case.

I really just want to go skiing 😢

All getting a bit

Answer to OhCobblers question/point is that a fully vaccinated adult does not need a PCR test to actually enter France

Passé sanitaire only comes into play once you are “in” and then yes, the rules have changed and it becomes potentially, depends on circumstances, more difficult if you aren’t fully vaccinated plus boosted

@notimagain nobody is confused, it’s all relevant

But second jabs for 12-15 year olds not much use if you can't prove it...

go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=petition.parliament.uk/petitions/596335

Petition asking for proof of vaccine for 12-15yr olds...

Signed. Thanks for sharing!

Link seems to be broken and I can't get onto the petition?