@Chickpea22 thank you. The weather and snow have been super
.
So daily testing. We prebooked test appointments before we came. We didn't have to pay at time of booking so it seemed sensible to get them booked in.
We found out how and where to book using the website for our resort. We are staying in a small resort which didn't offer tests on Saturday after midday so for our first day booked in another nearby resort- (Courcheval) and drove there.
The test on the Saturday in Courcheval was pretty shambolic. It as a pop up place and they said we would get results in 30 minutes by email and text. Two hours later and we had no result.
So we drove back. Spoke to receptionist who mumbled and sighed and tutted and rolled her eyes at me and low and behold I received a negative test result by text immediately.
However, you need a QR code to upload to get the pass sanitere. This should come in the form of a link via text and Email. Our link didn't work- it just kept saying 'error'.
The test centre wouldn't help us. They said the system that produces the QR codes was nothing to do with them. They refused to offer any advice whatsoever, they smirked and shrugged and seemed to be enjoying our despair.
Our chalet manager stepped in and said that the test centre can print the QR code but they refused point blank. In the end we met another English parent who said that the links are a nightmare and that they have had some success using a laptop to open them rather than a phone. We approached the tourist office who let us use a PC and the link worked.
So test 1 was very stressful. The worst bit was that no one would help, and they couldn't care less. It was a company called synlab, who seem to offer nothing at all in the way of telephone support other than recorded messages.
Tests 2&3 have been done in the local medical centre. Booked via DrLib system, quick efficient, and I received a paper print out with the QR code each time. A total breeze by lovely helpful French nurses.
Even though both facilities weren't busy they won't do walk in testing. You need an appointment. So I would suggest that you either book in advance, or make absolutely sure that walk ins are accepted.
The first test centre also felt a bit uncomfortable as there were clearly people in the same enclosed room who were there for PCR tests because they had coronavirus symptoms. Seats were v close together, no social distancing and some people without masks. So in terms of catching Covid it felt pretty risky.
I should also add that although there are signs absolutely everywhere reminding us of the need to show a pass vaccinal / Sanitare we have not been asked once to show one in 2 full days of skiing, or in any bars or restaurants, and I haven't seen anyone being asked for one either.
The chalet companies are insisting that no one will be asked for one- but I do feel that maybe it is in their interest to spread that message!
In fact the only place we have been asked to show anything other than passports was at Luton airport where they asked to see our vaccinations on the NHS app.
Upon arrival in Geneva we just had to show passports, and as far as we could see everyone including us was just driving over the border into France without being asked for anything at all.
I know that doesn't mean it was all a waste of time but we have been surprised that no one asked about pre departure tests, or to see any of the forms we had to fill in etc..