Skiing in Austria - Jan 2022

i_steal_sheep

We've 15 days booked, departing 14 Jan for Austria. Kitzbühel for a week for the Hahnenkamm Races and Zell am See for another week.

Woke up to news this morning of lockdowns now in Austria. Skiing prob not gonna happen for us this year is it? Bigger problems in the world I accept. We're going on a tailor-made package so covered on all of the costs aspects etc etc etc

Royale with Cheese

Supposed to be going to Hinterglemm in March. I even booked a second flight out to Salzburg a few weeks back as plans changed and we needed to go out a day later than originally planned, didn't for one second think covid was going to threaten the trip at all. Things have changed quickly.

trashcan

Have Westendorf booked twice next year (Jan 8th and late Feb) postponed from this year. Certainly January looks very dodgy now. Yeh, bigger problems out there alright, but very disappointing, to say the least. Am about ready to write off January, fingers still crossed for Feb.

a148pro

I'd say you'll be grand lads. European ski resorts can't take another year of this so they'll have to open. There may be limits but I can't see them being as strict as last year.

Also the stated intention is to lock down for 2 weeks with a view to preserving Christmas season. Not sure how sustainable it'll be to try and lock down 2 million unvaxxed people either so would expect push back.

If anyone booking now I'd aim for as late into spring as possible and possibly another country (Spain, or Switzerland or Andorra which both stayed open last year) but I still think you'll be grand. People have had enough so it won't be allowed to happen for as long this time.

A1Son

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118199965#Comment_118199965

Fingers crossed.

The resort close to us is gearing up for opening in 2 weeks' time. Last year with high case numbers they closed the resort. This year with with high case numbers, all lifts are accessible to fully vaccinated (no unvaxxed on the gondolas). Are these guidelines likely to change for better or for worse?

It looks like it is going to be another rollercoaster season.

a148pro

Some thoughts here. A little over pessimistic in general but well informed about the situation on the ground.

https://planetski.eu/2021/11/20/ski-resorts-in-austria-prepare-for-lockdown/

A1Son

Hopefully it's not the usual "2 week lockdown".

It would be an absolute shame to miss Christmas and New Years on the slopes. I'm sure there will be new guidelines and announcements every couple of weeks.

Billy Mays

Supposed to be heading to Austria mid January aswell.

Even with the numbers increasing over the last few weeks I never thought the trip would be in doubt. Now I'm not so sure.;

slightybonkers

Anyone heading to Austria this week?

I am due to go over on 29th. I have my digital vaccine cert and also received my booster last week...... but I won't have an updated vaccine cert, only the hse card with my name and date of my booster and the vaccine administered.

I hope that our hand written vaccination card will be accepted for entry, as per the revised entry regs. I really don't want to have the extra cost of a PCR test to travel over....

Would love to hear from anyone travelling this week using their vaccine booster card?

dzer2

Not going this week but going on the 8th of Jan. Will be going unless flights are cancelled, all of us 2 jabbed and boostered. Can you leave any feed back please.

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118353776#Comment_118353776

Will post an update when I get there.

I presume you are intending to use the booster card you received as proof also. With a bit of luck someone going out this week will see this ans post an update!!! 🤞

lbj666

Any one boostered still thinking of heading to Austria in Jan? Anyone with contingencies in mind if they cant fly back home as planned ie. get a +ve pcr while over there.

AlternateID

Hi,

Anyone in Austria at the moment? The HSE covid tracker app still only shows double jab. No indication that they'll add the booster to it. I find it hard to believe the Austrians will accept a card with hand written info to say I have the booster. I'm due to head to Austria at the end of January and again in March.

omicron

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395379#Comment_118395379

I got my GP to write a cert so it looks more official than the card.

Austrian tourist website says:

"Is the EU digital COVID certificate compulsory?

No. Wherever proof of vaccination or past infection is required, this can also be provided via other recognised documents (vaccination certificate or test certificate in German or English, etc."

Won't be able to test it out for another few weeks!

Gone Drinking

I tweeted the HSE to ask are we getting updated vaccine certs post booster and they replied to say "The government is currently looking into this". We're travelling to Austria at the end of January, would prefer to have an updated cert rather than a doctors note.

slightybonkers

Hi guys,

Updating you all of my experience of travel to and returning from Austria this week. 29 December to 3rd January.

2 adults, both fully vaccinated and with boosters(vaccine cards only to prove same). We did not need to fill in a locator form for Austria.

Flew with Lufthansa Dub to Munich. Asked to show Eu digital C19 cert at Dublin airport. Asked for same at passport control on arrival in Munich, also asked if staying in Germany -no, going to Austria, and asked how we were travelling to Austria -rental car.

No check at Austrian border, there is a check point area on motorway, but was not manned when we crossed.

Accomodation, ski ticket cash desk and most bars and restaurants requested our Eu digital cert and scanned same. No issues.

Booked an antigen online via https://www.tirol.gv.at/gesundheit-vorsorge/infekt/coronavirus-covid-19-informationen/tirol-testet

Very simple and efficient. Results sent by text 30 mins after test. Link included to download the cert.

Returning home, as above for German border crossing. Airport staff in Munich checked our covid test and Irish PLF. No issues. But 2 passengers were refused boarding as did not have all correct documents.

Irish passport control asked for our covid tests.

It was a great 4 days skiing, but the test was on our minds!! Have a week booked on 22nd Jan also, but not sure if we will travel. Might be tempting fate

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118414614#Comment_118414614

Just back from Austria, were not asked to prove our booster. We had our vaccine cards only to prove if asked. Full post above on the trip and what was requested where etc.

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395379#Comment_118395379

Post below on my trip hope it might help ease your mind.

dzer2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118415095#Comment_118415095

Thanks for that @slighty have eased my mind a little traveling Saturday

Donie75

Did you have to get PCR tests before flying to Munich?

How much were the PCR tests in Austria?

dzer2

All tests in Austria are free you just need to book. You can gargle test every day if you want

Billy Mays

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118415000#Comment_118415000

Thanks for this. Heading to Austria via Munich in a couple of weeks so this is very useful information.

Presume you didn't have to register/fill out a passenger locator form for Germany as you were heading straight to Austria from Munich airport?

trashcan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118415095#Comment_118415095

How did you find it as regards ski lifts, bars and restaurants sb ? Are masks required ? Did any restrictions put a damper on your enjoyment ?

Donie75

Thanks dzer2, great info. I’m also wondering how bars and restaurants are working out?

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118416282#Comment_118416282

Masks when queing for gondolas and lifts and in tramsit on same if in mixed groups. Obvs if only in gondola or lift with your onw group/ family they could be removed once in transit.

Bars and restaurants; Masks required once you leave your table/seat to use bathroom or go out to smoking area etc. 99% of places we frequented scanned our Eu C19 certs. All shut at 10. The staff literally clear the places at 9:55.

We mostly had beers outdoors on the mountain on way home, staying at last hut till 5:30/6.

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118416795#Comment_118416795

Bars and restaurants; Masks required once you leave your table/seat to use bathroom or go out to smoking area etc. 99% of places we frequented scanned our Eu C19 certs. All shut at 10. The staff literally clear the places at 9:55.

We mostly had beers outdoors on the mountain on way home, staying at last hut till 5:30/6. Then few beers at dinner and that was it..... tame enough, but we usually don't go crazy on Apres..... not able for it amy more 🙈🙈

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118416209#Comment_118416209

I tried to fill the german form as a just in case, but it does not allow you to put an Austrian address in.... like I said, passport control in Munich asked about where I was going and how I was getting there, but they did not ask to see my booking info or any other proof that I was transiting through Germany to Austria

highpath

Many thanks for the info.. Heading out with group to Soll via Munich on the 22nd Jan , so this helps. New travel certs should be on the way and no tests for those vaccined , so things getting less stressful.....

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118417124#Comment_118417124

Royale with Cheese

Requirement for negative test to re-enter Ireland dropped and the booster to be added to our vaccine pass, things looking pretty good now. I actually wish I was going sooner than March before the next variant emerges and the governments of Europe absolutely lose their shít again.

dzer2

Just arrived in Austria straight through passport control then a stop for the covid cert. They accepted the booster card no problem

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118437978#Comment_118437978

Great stuff. Enjoy the powder 🍻🎿🛷

slightybonkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118426561#Comment_118426561

@highpath our updated certs came through yesterday. Had boosters on the 18th December.

Happy days as we off again on 22nd Jan 😀

a148pro

I may be wrong in my reading of it but I don't think the Austrian's require boosters until Feb 1

EDIT: actually, I think that's if you're over there already. Looks like you need a PCR if you can't prove booster:-

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/austria/

dzer2

You need a PCR if you are not boostered. To get in through the airport. But once here they are only looking for your cert. A few places have an app that you scan your cert and only then can you get a table

Skyfloater

Reminder that both Bavaria and Austria require that you wear FFP2 masks. Lufthansa also required them for the flight to Munich.

dzer2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452897#Comment_118452897

There are not really enforcing though

Any of the places we have gone in to checked a covid cert and any mask or snood.

Bars are closing strictly on time.

After 2 days of snow a beautiful day here today.

Billy Mays

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453986#Comment_118453986

What resort are you in?

dzer2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454166#Comment_118454166

Staying in Soll but skiing on the all-star card

Skyfloater

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453986#Comment_118453986

I would disagree. The vast, vast majority of people there follow the regulations and wear FFP2 masks. Nobody wants the resorts closed due to a major outbreak.

Rew

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118455077#Comment_118455077

I have heard they are reasonably strict in Soll.

dzer2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118466863#Comment_118466863

I have seen only one person being asked about a mask. Now most pull up a neck warmer entering the lifts or on a bus. Mostly Brits or Irish here and they are doing the neck warmer thingy.

krinpit

Very useful thread, thanks for sharing your experiences.

Has anyone travelled with kids under 12? I’m specifically interested in flying to Munich and onwards travel to Austria.

dzer2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118485452#Comment_118485452

We took all the clan youngest 10. Really nothing to it once the child is under 12 there is no masks restrictions or anything else. Depending on when you are traveling the traffic from Munich can be very heavy, unless you are travelling by train.

Just an update home today, an thoroughly enjoyable week. Skied in resorts from skiwelt to kitz. Absolutely no bother very quiet apart from the Sunday. Dull enough until Tuesday and from there blue skies to the finish. Pubs open til 10pm strictly. Live music and decent apres ski. Only place anything made of masks or covid certs was Kitzbuhel. All places and shops just looked at the cert on the phone. Most people either had a mask or tube scarf. As long as your mouth and nose was covered at the lifts you were good. Enjoy your trip.

Rew

We're talking 3 under 9 next week expecting it to be straight forward for them

lucymangoo96

Has anyone any experience going to Austria after being double vaxxed and recovered? We’re unsure if we need a pcr and going on Saturday 😑

Royale with Cheese

https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations

There's a section there called when you need a PCR test. Seems to suggest you don't need one if you had two vaccines and then covid after or if you had covid first and then two vaccines.

dzer2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118496725#Comment_118496725

Have you got your recovered from COVID-19 cert. If so no bother. You will need it at the airport if you are landing in Austria, but if you are flying to Germany I am not sure.

Major Dad

Thanks to everyone for the updates. Heading to Westendorf on Feb 5th - everything looking good at the moment. Are there any signs that restrictions such as 10pm closing might be relaxed soon? Does it apply to resident's bars in hotels? Cheers

lucymangoo96

We are flying into Salzburg!! And have Covid recovery certs! Have you been yourself?

Thanks for your help it’s so hard to know, our tour operator is going with the department of foreign affairs website but the Austrian gov website says something different!

dzer2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118497183#Comment_118497183

Just back on Saturday. Arrived in Salzburg, they handed out the face masks before passport control. Through to a covid check where they looked at the cert on the phone and accepted the card as the third vaccination. Straight out into arrivals.

Where are you heading.

Shlippery

Heading to Mayrhofen next month -

• 'The current curfew for restaurants is 10 PM. Bars and clubs remain closed, après-ski is not possible for the time being.

'

Any possibility of a pint after the days skiing/boarding or limited to off license / hotel room?

Hoping things change in a couple of weeks, but not the end of the world as getting back to the mountain is the bigger prio!