 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@skimastaaah, just viewed an interview with Lech’s new major. He was saying that several hotels are currently considering whether they should open or stay closed... for the season...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@Langerzug, from a business perspective it could well make sense to decide to stay closed for the season. The costs could be calculated, permanent staff would get Kurzarbeit and there would quite possibly be government grants available to help. Opening means costs with very uncertain levels of income potentially bigger losses than shuttering. Much more difficult for the lift companies as they are subject to public transport regulations and would need permission from the Länder to vary the advertised running times (assuming there is enough snow)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
@munich_irish, +1
The issue is that the situation is so fluid. It not just that a resort(s) can be ordered to close at short notice because of a local situation, but so can borders. With the latter, it does not have to be a hard closure to have a severe impact, ie a lengthy quarantine period at either end will do it.
For these reasons, resorts like the Arlberg, that depend heavily on international guests, ie destination resorts, are most at risk. Within the resort, most at risk are the larger establishments, especially those that provide food. They have to staff up and buy stock, only to be shut down in days, if so ordered. I saw that here in Australia, with restaurants and hotels trying sell, and then give away, stock. The smaller places, like where we stay, that are essentially a house with (say) 1 - 4 apartments have much more flexibility to deal with changes.
FWIW, there were zero corona cases in St Anton a few days ago, but that could have already changed.
We are in a position to be able to travel at maybe a week’s notice. If Australia’s borders open, we will go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
The really only important thing to watch is: What is Angela Merkel saying. Because in the end the German market is all-decisive.
And currently it’s not looking good.
I would not be surprised if Berlin/Brussels will force Vienna (etc) to keep skiresorts closed.
Dutch Health Agency has already officially advised against all winter-holidaytravel. They are very wary about the issue of skilifts, queues, skibusses and travel in general.
And The Hague and Berlin are quite close...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Langerzug wrote: |
The really only important thing to watch is: What is Angela Merkel saying. Because in the end the German market is all-decisive.
And currently it’s not looking good.
I would not be surprised if Berlin/Brussels will force Vienna (etc) to keep skiresorts closed. |
Hmm. What the Germans do is important, because Austria will do what is necessary to get Germany to allow its residents to travel to Austria again. But I can't see that extending to keeping ski resorts closed, as then the German tourists would have no reason to come, so the only point to be gained by pandering to Berlin (which doesn't go down well politically in Austria) would be lost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@Langerzug, It's just ironic that Belgium and the Netherlands are by today's stats 895.8 cases and 386.7 cases per 100 000 population respectively. Austria 209, Germany 107. It makes sense to ban Dutch and Flemish skiers, but welcome German and possibly UK (230 cases). But as we all know .... these numbers will only grow over the coming weeks prior to the winter season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@skimastaaah, where is the ironic part?
Yesterday NL probably passed the highpoint in its second wave. In Germany the second wave has just started, with new strict measures just announced by Merkel. Similar measures are already in place in NL since october 13.
Also keep an eye on Switzerland, were numbers are exploding, and currently worse than NL/B.
Italy’s starting to panic. Chech republic not good....all very close.
Check the current problems at the glaciers...
Merkel is aware too, and Merkel is already warning for capacity problems at German IC’s. While German IC’s were fine this spring, and even easily taking patients from neighbouring countries...
And Autumn just started...and remember, Merkel is resigning next year.... she will not want leave Germany unsafe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
@skimastaaah, I’m aware of the numbers, as you can see. Just don’t think the virus knows irony.
Here in NL it’s clear that this second wave was started by (young) people returning from summer holiday.
And I think that Merkel will not let skiing spoil her legacy.
Anyway, I’m getting less and less confident our Lech-trip in march will happen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@skimastaaah, Brits are only a small number Austria... Germans especially (over 40%) & Dutch market are huge. This will be what drives the Austrian's strategy regarding Ski Areas closing.
The infection maybe similar in certain countries but it does NOT MAKE SENSE to have non infected or possibly infected people travelling all over Europe ..
Confinement to your local area (home) is what is needed to reduce to the contagion.
Lockdown in Austria is almost certain starting early next week , expect an announcement over the weekend.
https://www.trend.at/branchen/tourismus-reise/deutscher-lockdown-katastrophe-oesterreichs-tourismus-11728269
Tirol is against lockdown for obvious reason , they prefer Curfew between 10.30pm and 6am
Whatever happens before the normal Ski Season officially starts I cannot imagine open travel without a negative PCR biological CoV19 Test.
This will add significant cost to folks Holidays...
Can you imagine a family of Four paying for Holidays/Flights etc then getting tested (approx cost €130-150 each) 72 hours and then finding out that one of their family members is Positive.??
It is also still not clear even with a PCR Negative test that Austrian authorities could order mandatory quarantine.(10days).
STAY AT HOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Quote: |
Whatever happens before the normal Ski Season officially starts I cannot imagine open travel without a negative PCR biological CoV19 Test.
|
In all honesty, this should be the way to go. With the rapid-tests that Austria is starting to experiment with in November, we might just have a good way to control this.
I never understood why over the summer the EU didn't coordinate efforts to create a safe travel framework and ensure pre-travel/post-travel testing - be it even with private funds - if you want to travel so bad, get tested, it's not a big ask. They've started recently (I think last week) to help coordinate efforts, probably realising that we're in this for the long run.
If you have rapid testing, you can even do stuff like quick-tests at lifts (like spot checks).
But even for me: I'd feel safer traveling after I'm tested, because the assumption is that everyone I meet on the slope/open air/etc has also been tested. And I agree, there is a chance of false negatives, but it's not like 9 out of 10 tests are false negatives.
Buuuut... I'm offtopic. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
Sadly, this has morphed into yet another rather generic covid thread. Perhaps that is so front of mind today, that there is nothing much else to talk about.
If there is anybody on the ground in the area, I would love to hear about preparations for winter, etc. Yes, there is a chance that there may not be a ski season, but it is too early to write it off completely.
In other forums/countries, you will often see representatives of the lift co, and/or sometimes the tourist office, participating in these sort of forums. It would be fantastic to see someone from ABB providing periodic updates here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| blind_raven wrote: |
| Quote: |
Whatever happens before the normal Ski Season officially starts I cannot imagine open travel without a negative PCR biological CoV19 Test.
|
In all honesty, this should be the way to go. With the rapid-tests that Austria is starting to experiment with in November, we might just have a good way to control this.
I never understood why over the summer the EU didn't coordinate efforts to create a safe travel framework and ensure pre-travel/post-travel testing - be it even with private funds - if you want to travel so bad, get tested, it's not a big ask. They've started recently (I think last week) to help coordinate efforts, probably realising that we're in this for the long run.
If you have rapid testing, you can even do stuff like quick-tests at lifts (like spot checks).
But even for me: I'd feel safer traveling after I'm tested, because the assumption is that everyone I meet on the slope/open air/etc has also been tested. And I agree, there is a chance of false negatives, but it's not like 9 out of 10 tests are false negatives.
Buuuut... I'm offtopic. |
What you say probably makes most sense to allow safe travel. But there are drawbacks of(a) splashing out for your holiday, passing the point of refundability, then having positive test and being unable to travel; (b)positive test just before return journey, not being allowed board a plane train or ferry, and being stranded away from home in hotel room presumably at your own expense.
Personally having to present negative tests before outward and homeward travel would stop me from going
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@ulmerhutte, the remarks of the new Lech major I referred to about hotels considering no to open for the season is authentic, recent, local and real.
You might prefer to read other things, but this is European reality. A reality that worries us all.
And so is the predicted Austrian lockdown for tomorrow and Angela Merkel’s this weeks worries for the coming wintermonths.
Very, very real. Very recent. And not generic. And as mentioned especially the current development in Germany (which has been doing so good up to now) is something that’s raising many European eyebrows, especially in Austria.
Indeed few people currently care about October snowfall etc etc. Quite logical. The locals are all shivering about things to come (or not). With that in mind your comment might be perceived as a bit insensitive actually.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@ulmerhutte, I agree with you there are plenty of other threads to discuss the current issues, dont see you are being insensitive at all. Unfortunately I cant help with reports etc as not really possible to get near the Arlberg (or any other Austrian mountains) at the moment but not alone in that.
@stanton, not often I agree with you but the test thing is probably about right, probably the only way forward is testing before travelling and yes it will be expensive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| munich_irish wrote: |
| @ulmerhutte, Unfortunately I cant help with reports etc as not really possible to get near the Arlberg (or any other Austrian mountains) at the moment but not alone in that. |
Oh dear, oh dear. Please get real.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Really, @Langerzug, you come across like another Sheldon, but possibly even more socially impaired. You often have insightful information, but you put it in terms that read as snarky and arrogant. Are you like that face-to-face?
News on covid, as it directly impacts the Arlberg, is relevant to this thread. There are however many other threads on the overall European situation, progress on vaccines, testing, etc. I am however not a moderator, and so only offering my opinion as a contributor. Take it for what it's worth.
Yes, I do care deeply about the Arlberg. We have been spending a good part of the last 18 winters there, and 2 of our best friend live there. If there is a way of making it 19 winters next year, we will be going. Currently we are not permitted to travel overseas, but we ready to go when/if it changes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@stanton, thanks, enjoyed the video of Lech.
I am guessing the machine with the rollers is designed to pack walking tracks?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Lockdown starts tomorrow. Scheduled to run for a month, but I guess most of us have seen local lockdowns go longer, sometimes much longer, than first announced. I don’t have the details, but I understand it includes shutting restaurants and bars and a nightly curfew.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@ulmerhutte, Details on the other travel to Austria thread
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good one@stanton, almost as good as Der Weisse Rausch!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Markymark29 wrote: |
| @ulmerhutte, Details on the other travel to Austria thread |
Thread seems to have disappeared.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@ulmerhutte, https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=4664401#4664401 . As far as skiing goes unless you are race training no lifts are running in November though touring no problem. No restaurants etc. The plan (or hope) is that come December the situation will have improved enough for things to return to some sort of normality, whether this will be the case no one has any idea. As you can see from the discussion above there is a good chance that many hotels etc could stay closed for the season regardless. Up to now the intention is that ski lifts will run but again this is all rather an unknown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
Definitive: Dutch authorities are advising against all foreign travel until January 15...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Awesome skills, especially the pilot, on show in the first video.
The second video... a reminder of better times. Hopefully they will return in the not too distant future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| stanton wrote: |
Around in the other valley Ischgl has rescheduled their Opening till December 17th
|
and you heard it here first folks.... word on the street.. Anton too
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| hsdee wrote: |
| stanton wrote: |
Around in the other valley Ischgl has rescheduled their Opening till December 17th
|
and you heard it here first folks.... word on the street.. Anton too |
Sadly no longer rumour. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Ld wrote: |
| hsdee wrote: |
| stanton wrote: |
Around in the other valley Ischgl has rescheduled their Opening till December 17th
|
and you heard it here first folks.... word on the street.. Anton too |
Sadly no longer rumour. |
Not surprising, but as yet doesn't seem to be anything on any of the websites (TVB, skiarlberg etc.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
[quote="ulmerhutte"]Awesome skills, especially the pilot, on show in the first video.
They were well versed in that metal leg arriving as he put on the earthing strip first before touching it. Could have been nasty otherwise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Closure of the underground-part of the huge new Lech Gemeindezentrum is proceeding:
http://download.lech.eu/fotogalerie/2020/45kw.php
Should be fully closed before season start. No building during winterseason in Lech.
The new Gemeindezentrum is to become a multifunctional structure including underground parking, an underground luggage handling area for the Oberlechbahn, a concerthall, townhall, touristinformation, restaurants and shops...
It is much discussed though (still going on) and finances under pressure due to Corona.
It might very well stay just an underground-thing....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It will be difficult to open Fully Dec/Jan without any German or Dutch Tourists or anyone else for that matter 
Maybe they will just open Galzig & Östhang for the locals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| stanton wrote: |
Maybe they will just open Galzig & Östhang for the locals. |
haha they could do that in April too, but they wont. It was funny when it snowed a few weeks ago, they would n't let people up galzig with thir skis even though it was running for foot passengers
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| hsdee wrote: |
| stanton wrote: |
Maybe they will just open Galzig & Östhang for the locals. |
haha they could do that in April too, but they wont. It was funny when it snowed a few weeks ago, they would n't let people up galzig with thir skis even though it was running for foot passengers |
Presumably because there was no SAR capability in place, and hence the potential exposure to a lawsuit if someone was injured skiing and assistance was not forthcoming. No ski patrol to mark hazards, etc. The argument would go... “the fact that the lift was open for skiing, made me assume all that was in place as usual”.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
