Corona Virus

trashcan · 05-11-2020 10:05pm

It really doesn’t look good. I have a trip booked in mid January and another at the end of Feb. At this stage I’ve almost resigned myself to the fact that they are gone, certainly January anyway.

skallywag · 06-11-2020 8:28am

trashcan wrote: »

It really doesn’t look good. I have a trip booked in mid January and another at the end of Feb. At this stage I’ve almost resigned myself to the fact that they are gone, certainly January anyway.

Where have you booked for?

trashcan · 06-11-2020 1:44pm

skallywag wrote: »

Where have you booked for?

Westendorf, Austria. Have been a regular there for 10 years +. Booked with Topflight and they have deferred payment of the balance until 28 days before the holiday (it’s usually due 12 weeks before). So that’s something. Desperately disappointing if it has to be cancelled though.

maddness · 09-11-2020 5:53pm

https://blog.skibro.com/blog/covid-vaccine-skiing-how-will-the-coronavirus-vaccine-affect-skiing-in-2021/?utm_source=comms_news_en&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=covid_vaccine_and_skiing&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Breaking%3A+Covid+Vaccine+++Skiing+⛷%EF%B8%8F&utm_campaign=Comms+-+Reactivation+-+Vaccine+-+EN

a148pro · 10-11-2020 11:15pm

My reading of this is that you'd only have to self isolate for 5 days if you test negative at that point, even if coming back from a "red" country?

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/only-gold-standard-covid-test-will-result-in-restriction-free-travel-around-ireland-1.4405837

So....

If the Ski resorts open
If we are allowed into the destination country without much of a quarantine
If our wives allow us go
If our wives allow us to come back
If we don't mind quarantining for 5 days plus result period

And if it snows

We might get to go skiing

Rew · 11-11-2020 1:00pm

I know someone who caught it skiing in Feb. Their whole family got it, their spouse was on the brink of being hospitalised but recovered and they them selfs have side effects to this day. No skiing here this year.

random_banter · 11-11-2020 1:02pm

Based on the new travel rules, we're pencilling in a week at the end of January.

We're looking at going to France but with certain conditions...

Things aren't out of control (if they are, they may still be in lockdown and resorts not open anyway)
A high altitude, large resort which will allow us to stay outside most of the day and have lots to explore, considering things like Apres will be off the cards - it'll be evenings in, cooking for ourselves and movies
Self catering, to avoid mixing as much as possible
Lots of chairlifts, and ability to avoid Gondolas as much as possible
A private transfer rather than in a packed coach

Ideally we would drive ourselves there to control our environment as much as possible, but time may not allow for this.

Our 2c!

We were thinking the 3V perhaps but still exploring. Anyone else thinking of attempting a cautious trip?

a148pro · 11-11-2020 1:48pm

I'm hoping to get somewhere, will depend on a lot of stuff but I definitely amn't ruling it out. Apres isn't a big thing for me so don't really mind. I will miss being looked after in a hotel and having wellness.

To your list of safe suggestions I'd probably add going late season as you can easily eat outside (although I suspect there could be a lot more tourists late season). 3vs would be high and cold in January, but I don't think that should be too much of an impediment provided you're willing to eat on the go. I suspect if they open almost all places will be doing quick food to go, ideally with online advance ordering. Could be a real test of the traditional faff in ski resorts.

Could also consider Scandanavia if the numbers were low, or in any event targetting a low numbered area.

And could consider driving a camper there and going touring with a guide instead of using lifts at all.

All of these are things I'd like to do at some point in my skiing career so may as well try this year.

I know there's a risk but I'm not going to live my life in fear for ever and I have to question what the risk relative to my existing work conditions is.

Billy Mays · 13-11-2020 10:02am

Have booked a hotel in Saalbach for February. Free cancellation up to two weeks before check in date so thought "f*ck it, why not???"

Still reckon the chances of going are very slim and in no way will I be getting my hopes up but if it's possible, a week in the Alps will be exactly what I need after the year we've had.

skallywag · 14-11-2020 12:32pm

Austria will officially announce a return to full scale lockdown later today, so no way the resorts are going to open as planned end of November / start of December I'd say. Numbers are off the scale, approaching 10,000 per day at the moment.

The weather is also very very warm for this time of year, it is ca 20 degrees today, which also does not bode well in any case.

Some12 · 14-11-2020 2:19pm

Skallywag - Sad news but does not come as a surprise. I've been checking Austrian resorts and noted opening days were moving targets. St Anton last updated to 17 Dec to open. I also noted the significant rise in Austrian Covid cases. Just today, CNN highlighted Austria as a significant hot spot.

I'd earlier decided not to take the risk this season but have to admit that every day, I found myself trying to come up with a justification to hit the slopes. My latest one was "Sure, I'll just cut out the beers to pay for the two or three Covid tests for the airports (yeah... like I'd really be beer free...).

Looks like the Austrian government will make that decision for me.

This will be a financial disaster to all the family run inns where the ski season is 75% of their annual income.

maddness · 14-11-2020 3:19pm

Relax lads and ladies, you can ski in France, Italy and if your loaded Switzerland too.

a148pro · 14-11-2020 11:23pm

Some12 wrote: »

This will be a financial disaster to all the family run inns where the ski season is 75% of their annual income.

My sense of many of these is that they've very low overheads and probably decades of savings behind them, so hopefully will be ok. Also I suspect they had a lot better Summer than usual.

I like staying in these kind of places, and then heading out for food / beer / wellness, so hope they stick around.

skallywag · 15-11-2020 12:35pm

a148pro wrote: »

My sense of many of these is that they've very low overheads and probably decades of savings behind them, so hopefully will be ok. Also I suspect they had a lot better Summer than usual.

This would be my sense of things too. The places I would usually stay when we overnight would be 'pension' type places, which are typically a group of self contained apartments in an older type of building. You would have the feeling that the usually relatively older owners have most likely no outstanding debt, so i guess they will battle through it.

The larger hotels, bars and other small businesses will clearly take a massive hit though.

I think even if resorts do manage to somehow open, then there will also be the moral question for those flying in from other countries. Going on a ski trip is a clear and conscious decision to put yourself directly in the midst of a high risk situation. No matter how well it is organised. If one was unlucky enough to catch it (and lads I know well have caught it in the last two weeks even while doing everything possible to be careful...) and to bring it home and give it to someone in a vulnerable category, then all hell could break lose.

the beer revolu · 16-11-2020 2:27pm

My wife has no interest in skiing but has always been gracious and encouraging about me skiing every year.

This year, there is no way I'd even suggest it.
And I've a pretty good idea of what the response would be if I did suggest it - don't come back! And she's be right.

blue note · 16-11-2020 3:12pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

My wife has no interest in skiing but has always been gracious and encouraging about me skiing every year.

This year, there is no way I'd even suggest it.
And I've a pretty good idea of what the response would be if I did suggest it - don't come back! And she's be right.

You think your wife would let you abandon your home responsibilities so that you could live in a ski resort? What an amazing woman! You're a lucky man!

lbj666 · 17-11-2020 11:38am

Ya anyone sussed out any work remotely options. Like stay way down the valley for a few weeks head up at weekends and powder days.

I sounds risky given there could be post xmas lockdowns, but curious if people have looked into.

blue note · 18-11-2020 4:16pm

Some days you get fed up of this bloody pandemic and get depressed that there's no skiing in your calendar. Today is one of those days. On top of the ski holiday itself you get a couple of months of excitement looking forward to it as well and that would really be kicking off now in a normal year. You'd get the drip of people here sharing their stories of early season skiing, you'd be keeping an eye on snowfall in November in the hope that it'll have some impact on how much snow you'll have in 2 or 3 months time. I'd look up some of the runs in the Internet to get excited about what runs I better not miss out on doing. They're always unrecognisable when you're there from the YouTube clip you've seen, but it does get the excitement up.

Ah, I know missing skiing is a minor thing in the grand scheme of things and it's rare I let it bother me. But the odd time I think you just have to let yourself feel sorry for yourself that you're not getting to do one of those things that you love to do.

a148pro · 18-11-2020 5:00pm

blue note wrote: »

Ah, I know missing skiing is a minor thing in the grand scheme of things

We can tell you're emotional right now, so we'll agree to collectively move on from that irresponsible and dangerous remark

As far as I can tell those NPHET pricks have yet to show even ONE graph that comments on our skiing prospects, total lack of appropriate expertise, needs to be disbanded immediately and substituted with a powder report

blue note · 18-11-2020 5:12pm

a148pro wrote: »

We can tell you're emotional right now, so we'll agree to collectively move on from that irresponsible and dangerous remark

As far as I can tell those NPHET pricks have yet to show even ONE graph that comments on our skiing prospects, total lack of appropriate expertise, needs to be disbanded immediately and substituted with a powder report

Good point. Maybe an inverse relationship should be introduced between the level of lockdown and the amount of snow forecast.

maddness · 18-11-2020 5:16pm

blue note wrote: »

Some days you get fed up of this bloody pandemic and get depressed that there's no skiing in your calendar. Today is one of those days. On top of the ski holiday itself you get a couple of months of excitement looking forward to it as well and that would really be kicking off now in a normal year. You'd get the drip of people here sharing their stories of early season skiing, you'd be keeping an eye on snowfall in November in the hope that it'll have some impact on how much snow you'll have in 2 or 3 months time. I'd look up some of the runs in the Internet to get excited about what runs I better not miss out on doing. They're always unrecognisable when you're there from the YouTube clip you've seen, but it does get the excitement up.

Ah, I know missing skiing is a minor thing in the grand scheme of things and it's rare I let it bother me. But the odd time I think you just have to let yourself feel sorry for yourself that you're not getting to do one of those things that you love to do.

I totally agree with the above apart from the bit where you mention that it’s only a minor thing!

I am exactly the same as you, I’m usually all over the various ski forums, looking at webcams, YouTube and anything ski related I can. I also have a countdown app on the phone counting days until my December trip and another one for the March trip. This year I’ve nothing. And before someone mentioned that it’s not important, my ski trips are the things that keep me sane throughout the year.

maddness · 18-11-2020 5:17pm

I also get about five emails a day from various ski companies I’ve enquired with over the years and it’s hard going now.

a148pro · 18-11-2020 6:38pm

I have the impression very little going on for the moment at least, apart from Switzerland and the States.

Switzerland might be an option. I usually avoid it but their extreme liberal clientelism mean they will open and let us in.

Again, if lockdown gets our numbers low and lockdowns over there get their numbers down it could work well for us, albeit you're still going to have to take that risk of the flight and self isolate on return

a148pro · 18-11-2020 6:49pm

Wow, I just looked at flights there and a variable I hadn't considered - looks like they've all been culled. Aer Lingus don't appear to be flying Zurich any more. Munich schedule is vastly curtailed. So another obstacle! Also Munich you'd have to cross the border into Austria.

Bit more sitting on the fence for a while anyway so.

andyd12 · 18-11-2020 10:03pm

a148pro wrote: »

Wow, I just looked at flights there and a variable I hadn't considered - looks like they've all been culled. Aer Lingus don't appear to be flying Zurich any more. Munich schedule is vastly curtailed. So another obstacle! Also Munich you'd have to cross the border into Austria.

Bit more sitting on the fence for a while anyway so.

Brother and I had a trip planned before Xmas in the hope it would work. But flights with Aer Lingus got changed so completely messed up the trip and had to cancel.

Same as, we are going to sit it out and possibly do it last minute.

maddness · 18-11-2020 10:37pm

I’d also consider Switzerland as it may be the only place to go.
I had to fly to the UK in June and it was absolutely grand, masks and plenty of hand gel and I would have no issue flying again if I was to go skiing.
I really don’t think there is any point in trying to book in advance as the situation here and in Europe is changing all the time. If I do manage a trip it’s because whichever country is open for skiing and I won’t have to quarantine when I get there. I am happy to quarantine when I get home but would get a private test too.

skallywag · 19-11-2020 10:50am

I would really not be getting so excited about Switzerland, they are in the midst of a massive second surge with 6'000 new cases yesterday alone.

The hospital system (and theirs is pretty good ...) is also under massive strain, with covid cases being exported to Germany in some cases. The ICU capacity is now practically full.

https://www.thelocal.ch/20201118/swiss-sound-alarm-as-icu-beds-fill-up-with-covid-patients

oinkely · 19-11-2020 11:25am

Has anyone taken the ferry to france and driven to any ski spots in france/ northern Italy? I'm thinking of it as we have run out of wine from our last trip to France two years ago!

Would be looking for a beginners spot, with ski school for three kids and one adult and easy plus boarding for me. Return ferry on February is around €750 so not too bad.

Not too keen on flying with the family in the next few months, but would give the ferry a go.

the beer revolu · 19-11-2020 1:30pm

I hate to be pessimistic but I can see a big Europe wide surge in infections after the Christmas period. I don't imagine any resorts will be open in January or early February.

a148pro · 19-11-2020 6:35pm

The swiss, taking advantage of the countries around them, who would have thought it?

Patience lads - part one of Tony's plan is coming to fruition, we're now rated Orange. I think you may actually be able to Ski in Finland and iceland now, which is a start.

If you could get there.

If european lockdowns / impatience takes it's course we might have options. You'll still have to run the gauntlet though.

a148pro · 19-11-2020 9:18pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

I hate to be pessimistic but I can see a big Europe wide surge in infections after the Christmas period. I don't imagine any resorts will be open in January or early February.

Very possibly true, we'll have to time it right and ride the waves, or in between the waves.

Kind of regret not going to Greece early in the Summer. Numbers were low here and there, was probably the time to go.

timsey tiger · 20-11-2020 11:20pm

oinkely wrote: »

Has anyone taken the ferry to france and driven to any ski spots in france/ northern Italy? I'm thinking of it as we have run out of wine from our last trip to France two years ago!

Would be looking for a beginners spot, with ski school for three kids and one adult and easy plus boarding for me. Return ferry on February is around €750 so not too bad.

Not too keen on flying with the family in the next few months, but would give the ferry a go.

I'd say you'd be better off, going through UK, than driect to France.

omicron · 21-11-2020 8:28am

oinkely wrote: »

Has anyone taken the ferry to france and driven to any ski spots in france/ northern Italy? I'm thinking of it as we have run out of wine from our last trip to France two years ago!

Would be looking for a beginners spot, with ski school for three kids and one adult and easy plus boarding for me. Return ferry on February is around €750 so not too bad.

Not too keen on flying with the family in the next few months, but would give the ferry a go.

I did it before, drove from Cherbourg down to Chamonix. Anywhere that side of the Alps is fairly convenient. You get a good night's sleep on the ferry then 11-13 hrs drive the next day and you're skiing the following day.
Wouldn't advise Chamonix for what you're looking for but plenty of resorts around that general area in the grand massif, ported du soleil, megeve st Gervais areas that would suit.
Disadvantage of that ferry in winter time, can be a rough crossing!

I wouldn't go by the UK though as you lose a night's sleep on the ferry, also with Brexit looming you could be looking at long delays in the ports.

a148pro · 21-11-2020 10:19am

Would ferry to spain followed by some of the pyrenees resorts be viable?

oinkely · 24-11-2020 4:14pm

omicron wrote: »

I did it before, drove from Cherbourg down to Chamonix. Anywhere that side of the Alps is fairly convenient. You get a good night's sleep on the ferry then 11-13 hrs drive the next day and you're skiing the following day.
Wouldn't advise Chamonix for what you're looking for but plenty of resorts around that general area in the grand massif, ported du soleil, megeve st Gervais areas that would suit.
Disadvantage of that ferry in winter time, can be a rough crossing!

I wouldn't go by the UK though as you lose a night's sleep on the ferry, also with Brexit looming you could be looking at long delays in the ports.

The rough crossing is a risk alright, though we came home after easter in a named storm and despite the 36 hour crossing it wasn't too bad (for me! wife was sick as a small hospital and one of the kids too, two were fine)

Probably research a smaller resort in that area and break up the drive on the way up/down with some sight seeing, wine shopping and decathlon visiting.

With the cost of flights for 5, and being cooped up in a germ box and the airport hassle the ferry seems like a good plan. Board in the back of the van, a few stops on the way down, a weeks boarding / skiing and then fill up with wine on the way back. As you say, a good nights sleep on the ferry, a few good movies for the kids in the van and the back of the trip could be broken by dinner time.

a148pro wrote: »

Would ferry to spain followed by some of the pyrenees resorts be viable?

That's a much longer ferry so might just make it a bit too painful in February, though we do have plans to do that in the spring time in the future and then mosey slowly back up through france.

oinkely · 24-11-2020 4:21pm

timsey tiger wrote: »

I'd say you'd be better off, going through UK, than driect to France.

Kind of prefer the direct route to France as i'll get a decent night's sleep on the ferry and it cuts out the drive across the uk followed by the drive through France.

a148pro · 24-11-2020 7:34pm

I had a quick look last night and it appears the only Spanish route is Rosslare Bilbao and its about 26 hours each way, then maybe 2 - 3 hours to a resort. I'm used to short solo hops so that's a much bigger commitment. I get the impression its also more of a freight ferry with relatively little customer conveniences too.

Its all a bit stowaway for my liking.

a148pro · 24-11-2020 9:48pm

https://planetski.eu/2020/11/24/italians-urged-not-to-go-skiing/

Skiing in the crosshairs I'm afraid.

Touring it is!

skallywag · 25-11-2020 6:12pm

a148pro wrote: »

Skiing in the crosshairs I'm afraid.

Bavaria's top politician has said the same.

maddness · 25-11-2020 7:21pm

March lads, March! Be grand.............

Rew · 26-11-2020 11:38am

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55081476

Germany is seeking an agreement with EU countries to keep ski resorts closed until early January, in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.

"I will say this openly that it won't be easy, but we will try," Chancellor Angela Merkel said after speaking to Germany's regional leaders on Tuesday.

The news came as the country extended its partial lockdown until 20 December.

Some of the early European coronavirus hotspots were at ski resorts, helping spread infections across the continent.

maddness · 26-11-2020 12:22pm

Rew wrote: »

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55081476

Very sensible and if it means they can open up for later in the season it’s worth it.

skallywag · 26-11-2020 5:36pm

Staying closed over the Christmas and New Year period is going to be a massive hit financially for the larger resorts.

I think they will take a close look at the numbers in early Jan and decide then whether to open up or not. Thing is though, even if they do manage to open mid Jan, then there is a very high likelihood that they may need to close again in 3-4 weeks time if cases begin to rise again.

a148pro · 28-11-2020 8:05am

So at the moment it looks like our options are hit a covid riddled Switzerland, which I suspect will be quite busy because it's the only place open, or sit it out and hope there's a window between our numbers and theirs later in the season

Think I prefer the second option of those two

Alternatively maybe the spanish resorts might open or the swedish ones

skallywag · 28-11-2020 11:31am

I would imagine that Switzerland will also shut down operations before too long.

Some12 · 29-11-2020 5:39pm

CNN has an informative report on the current status of skiing in Europe. Link below:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/europe-ski-season-doubts/index.html

a148pro · 01-12-2020 2:02pm

They're lining up:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/who-warns-about-risks-of-ski-holidays-and-christmas-gatherings-1.4423937

skallywag · 02-12-2020 12:05pm

Austrian resorts to open from December 24th for people living in Austria.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/01/austria-set-to-bow-to-pressure-on-covid-risk-with-ski-holiday-ban

a148pro · 02-12-2020 2:33pm

a148pro wrote: »

Again, if lockdown gets our numbers low and lockdowns over there get their numbers down it could work well for us, albeit you're still going to have to take that risk of the flight and self isolate on return

Here's an example of that - we are now, as I understand it, the best country in Europe and under 100 cases in the 14 day yoke. As such, we could currently ski in Austria under this proposal, AND we'd be the only ones allowed from Europe, which would be class

https://planetski.eu/2020/12/02/austria-set-to-introduce-stricter-quarantine-measures/

I also really like this suggestion from Italy, because it limits the day trippers and results in less numbers on the slopes to get in Paddy Irish's way

https://planetski.eu/2020/12/02/italian-ski-resorts-want-to-limit-skiers-to-overnight-guests-only/

However, the reality is that in practical terms its still very difficult. Nothing outside Switzerland yet open, a lot subject to change, and I don't know if there even is a direct flight to Austria you could get. I assume if you land in Munich and drive down you're treated as having come from Germany.

So some chinks of light but still lots of practical difficulties.

I also anticipate our numbers are going to go right up in early course due to our govts very short memory. So the chink may only be open very briefly.

random_banter · 02-12-2020 2:41pm

a148pro wrote: »

Here's an example of that - we are now, as I understand it, the best country in Europe and under 100 cases in the 14 day yoke. As such, we could currently ski in Austria under this proposal, AND we'd be the only ones allowed from Europe, which would be class

https://planetski.eu/2020/12/02/austria-set-to-introduce-stricter-quarantine-measures/

I also really like this suggestion from Italy, because it limits the day trippers and results in less numbers on the slopes to get in Paddy Irish's way

https://planetski.eu/2020/12/02/italian-ski-resorts-want-to-limit-skiers-to-overnight-guests-only/

However, the reality is that in practical terms its still very difficult. Nothing outside Switzerland yet open, a lot subject to change, and I don't know if there even is a direct flight to Austria you could get. I assume if you land in Munich and drive down you're treated as having come from Germany.

So some chinks of light but still lots of practical difficulties.

I also anticipate our numbers are going to go right up in early course due to our govts very short memory. So the chink may only be open very briefly.

I think (during my desperate search for hope) that I read if you are transferring in a different country it may not count - i.e. your country of origin stays as Ireland. So you could get an indirect flight to Innsbruck for example...

All this "waiting to find out" the plan for opening of resorts must be hideous for the poor tour operators.

Corona Virus

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