Is the 2020/2021 a non starter?

A snowHead

Came across this infographic from France Montagnes on the operational measures French ski resorts will have in place to combat Covid.

Seems pretty sensible and straightforward

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I've just realised the greatest think about Snowheads is that even although I know deep down that it's unlikely I'll get to ski this year, I can come here and indulge my delusion that it might still be possible. In doing so I'm also not alone, lol.

This is 100% true. I can spend hours on holiday porn deciding where to go, knowing deep down it’s unlikely

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Chances of going To France via tunnel and enforced provisos ??
Covid test and trace app mandatory?
Covid test mandatory?
Quarantine in resort?
Prevention of travelling through area’s and not even reaching resort?
French /UK Brexit political fallout?
What are people’s thoughts?

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

You’re right - loads of questions so we’re gonna sit tight and wait and see. We have blocks of time booked off work and if it looks possible we’ll try to go. The risk is everyone else will too and the capacity will get absorbed but too much ambiguity to put our hard earned down just yet.

I’m under orders to decorate the study if there’s no skiing so everything is crossed!

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Just back from 3 months in France...they are desperate to keep us going there for holidays as the brits spend more money in bars than any other nationality ... france short of money, lots of money raising schemes in place by macron which don't make sense to average person there...
I am assuming italy is the same...thats where im going skiing

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Head of the French medical council has said today that France is entering into a widespread epidemic that will last until next spring

After all it is free

@davidof, of ‘ flu like last year?

Concept mounting skis for clients tomorrow

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Many folks joked or tried to silence me on my prediction for 2020/21

I will be proved Righth..

STAY AT HOME

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@Stanton. I booked a week in St Anton mid-January. The lure of the off-piste was too much for me.... What are your views!

He has probably just had a hissy fit Laughing

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

Just came across Val Thorens latest booking cancellation policy with regard to COVID, really only works favorably if you're based in France.

D/ Interruption or cancellation of the holiday as a result of a ruling by a national or local French administrative authority (public authority) or any measures implemented by such an authority.
In the event that a national or local French administrative authority takes a decision (closure etc.), or implements one or more measures restricting the movement of persons and preventing a client from having access to the accommodation and holiday location that they booked in the resort or requiring them to end their holiday in the resort early, VAL THORENS RESERVATION will refund a percentage of the full amount paid pro rata to the number of days lost. VAL THORENS RESERVATION reserves the right to retain any booking charges.

EXCLUSION: This clause will not be applicable if a decision is taken or measure implemented by a foreign authority.

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

The way I read it was it only applies if the action is taken by the French not a foreign authority, makes no difference where the person affected comes from .

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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@extremerob, We usually book through a UK TO anyway but I think this year it is worth considering booking a package with a UK ABTA or ATOL bonded TO in case of travel restrictions, lockdowns etc. Plus paying by credit card.

We have booked with Peak Retreats and their terms for new bookings are on the following link, including what the options are in the event of UK or French travel restrictions or local lockdowns.

https://www.peakretreats.co.uk/winter/faq-info/faq-help/book-with-confidence

The other option is to leave it to the last minute but we booked early for an early booking offer and to be sure of getting particular accommodation.

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/sep/29/how-to-go-skiing-this-winter-ski-resorts-covid-19-restrictions

Guardian article this morning.

Am still not convinced. Want to ski soooo badly and can't imagine a winter without but not sure it's viable or responsible.

Aaaagh!

After all it is free

To be upbeat, let's look at what happened with our summer trip to the Swiss Alps. We first did a big online order at home, which delivered a ton of supplies on the doorstep. Loaded that into the car. Drove to Ashford, filled-up with fuel at the Shell garage just before the Eurotunnel. Got an earlier train thanks to a nice Eurotunnel rep walking 'round the car park. Didn't have to show our French Covid Declaration at French Immigration. Sat in the car with windows open for 35 minute crossing. Turned on the French STOPCovid App. Then away ..... Stopped at a couple of aires to eat etc. and swap drivers. 5-10 minutes in open air and washing/gel after using the facilities. Filled-up using Pay@Pump at one of the larger service stations. Gel/spray the hands after using the pump but didn't go into the building. On through into Switzerland. Turned off the French app and turned on the SwissCovid App. Stopped once at a Swiss aire. Got to apartment. Keys in keysafe. About 21:45

At the resort, everywhere had gel - supermarket entrance, on every table in cafés and bars. All the petrol pumps in France and CH each had a gel or spray. Outdoor cafés/restaurants strict in taking your details. Table service only. The supermarket had widened its aisles so walking 'round was not stressful compared to Tesco back home. We had to wear a mask on the télécabine which was enforced by an assistant. No problem getting a cabin to ourselves. Used the local free bus a couple of times. The rest of the time we were outdoors, walking, or in an outdoor café up the mountain.

The most dangerous part of the journey was the Shell garage at Ashford. No gel at the pump. None available in the wash room (no toilets on Eurotunnel so best to do your thing beforehand). Other customers standing right next to me. Had to handle the card machine. No gel. Next most worrying situation was the two bus journeys (10 min and 20 min respectively) at the end of one-way walks to get home. Yes, everyone was in masks and quiet, but the 2nd bus coincided with school home time so it was full with (well behaved but chatty) kids.

Coming home was a reverse with us doing the drive all in one go. As mentioned, no request at Eurotunnel Immigration to see our Covid Q-Code. We turned up 2¼ hours early and were put directly on the next train out.

Overall, the journey, residence, shopping and outdoor exercise felt safer than the same activities at home. Especially if you throw going to the gym into the home equation. Of course, the big deal in the winter will be sharing a gondola or navette with strangers, and if you're forced to go indoors because of the weather.

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I'm staying optimistic. We are crossing everything that the French will not stop us going and all four of us are able to and happy to quarantine on return. Mates trip have tunnel booked for last week of Jan and a mates chalet in Grand Massif for 400EUR which we don't have to pay if we can't go. We are lucky that the commitment is £43 each and not a penny more risked (and then we can always move the tunnel on).

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Its strange that in life some come across a problem and then decide there is nothing they can do to work around it then you get others that come across a problem and can always find a solution, which often us better than what was originally intended.
As someone once says to me some people can always find a problem to every solution

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I am planning to book 10 days off from my job in January and then just sit (as patiently as I can) until 2 weeks beforehand and then see what restrictions and travel options are before committing. Plan B is same crowd in a UK airbnb (6 of us) same amount of booze but rain and wind instead of snow.

You know it makes sense.

Still a long way to go but getting twitchy.

Have a week s/c in VT on 2nd Jan (moved from March this year). But we are 5 households sharing two apartments.
We also have a week in Oz en Oisans mid March when we shall be 4 households sharing one apartment.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

I feel pretty positive about this season. The ski areas have all announced similar measures, which seem sensible but not unduly restrictive. Such measures might deter the 'rowdier' types and encourage families, older people and those who are happy to make their own entertainment. I hope for the sake of the industries dependent on the winter season that it all goes ahead much as the summer season has. Personally I love social distancing, I've never been a fan of crowds or people right in my face. All we need is a good dose of Frau Hölle's finest. Bring it on.

A snowHead

Follks

Unfortunately but not surprising The unimaginable is happening: The winter season is gradually being cancelled.

First closure in Italy, then France will come and quite hesitantly they torment the other decision-makers until Söder (President of Bavaria) speaks the word of power.

The bottom line is that Christmas is on the rocks without anything to do, the cancellation of which would overshadow everything
else.

Bottom line is when no Tourists (because of quarantine on return) Germans/Dutch etc Lift Operators will pull the Plug unless they are given Government Help

It is just not viable to run Lifts , Snowmaking , Piste Preparations etc.. This all cost Millions €€€€€

https://www.welt.de/reise/nah/article218452716/Oesterreich-Was-Skifahrer-in-Tirol-vom-Abstandhalten-halten.html

Austria is "planning" to Lockdown in November to try to save the season but it will be to late...

If they Open December what Next Close down in January open For Carnival Weeks in February ..Close down again...

This will just create a Monster Breeding Ground for CoV19

Switzerland has compulsory Quarantine with 10000Chf Fines

Anyone travelling to Austria via Switzerland (Zurich etc) this is a Non Starter..

I am not really sure or understand why anyone on this Forum is even talking let alone trying to arrange a Winter Sports Holiday this

So I repeat......

Unfortunately but not surprising The unimaginable is happening: The winter season is gradually being cancelled.

A snowHead

@stanton, I suspect you are possibly correct, we nor anyone I know have anything booked and imv it'll be April/ May until the Alps opens for visitors......UNLESS a vaccine is rolled-out before then, in which case things could be different but right now the 20/21 season looks like a right-off. Really sad and I hope those who have businesses in the Alps that are dependent upon tourism can bridge the gap until 21/22.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@stanton - my reading of the Swiss quarantine rules at the moment (and this could all change) is that you can land in Zurich and transit to Austria. The quarantine applies if you land in Zurich and stay there.

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stanton seems to be making a sport of doomsaying, actually cheers me up when I read a post and feel down then notice who actually wrote it!

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@SkiingQuinHat, assuming they'll let you into Austria?

@Pastorius, If he's doomsaying, i'm interested to hear what exactly are you basing your optimism on? All the indicators are going the other way surely? Do you read Austrian news feeds?

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I'm not saying the situation is great and I'm not particularly optimistic, but statements like "First closure in Italy, then France will come and quite hesitantly they torment the other decision-makers until Söder (President of Bavaria) speaks the word of power." - that cheers me up because it's clearly some kind of perverse schadenfreude, how could anybody possibly say that with any confidence unless they just revel in doomsaying?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@Markymark29, there is nothing in any Austrian news feeds that I have seen to suggest that the ski areas will not open. The glaciers are currently open. There is a suggestion of a short-term lockdown in November, but only as a last measure, and only involving certain sectors, not including outdoor activities. So you're reading something I'm not.

After all it is free

@Markymark29, My reading is that the U.K. folk can go inTo Austria without even a COVID test at this stage.

The future - who knows.

Have to admit for the first time I'm now thinking a little negatively.

I was not too bothered either way as the plan was to get out before the season started etc

However, if the pooh really hits the fan and so far it's definitely going in that direction travel to France from the UK could well be halted if both countries were to go into lockdown, and judging by the first week of Half-term here on the South Coast, there's a lot of people out and about and cafes on the beach rammed, this is what the French are very aware of with the Half Term break there as being All Saints it's a big family holiday as people go to the cemeteries to visit their relatives etc

Little old Serre Chevalier & Briancon are in major curfew lock-down until December 5th when the lifts open, the Mayor explaining that is is the best way to prevent the season from being a non-starter etc buy I feel really it's just a massive PR stunt to get people to book to go there as it's not as if locals from Briancon are going to be super-spreaders it's going to be the hordes of visitors from the urban metropolis?

I was having a chat this morning with a mate who has a number of apartments (really good value https://www.snowlinesc.co.uk/ ) just down the hill from us in Serre and he's booked up nigh on already from Dec 19th to Jan 9th - I didn't ask him the nationalities though rolling eyes

You would maybe think that skiing over Xmas / New Year might be one luxury that French families, apart from second homeowners would think what's the point this year but maybe not knowing how bonkers busy it always is Puzzled

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Is the 2020/2021 a non starter?

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