 Poster: A snowHead
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Which European country do you feel has the most chance of:
- letting in Brits (or if one says yes, it's yes to all)
- not requiring to scan a COVID pass at every lift
- not requiring more than a Buff as a mask on lifts/bubbles
- Having actual outdoor apres, rather than fully seated only
- that will not require daily testing that might result in you locked in a hotel
Keen to hear thoughts, as although I've read through many threads, I don't believe theres one that covers these specific issues, resulting in which European country are you likely to enjoy the most "normal" experience.
Views from those based in resorts/travel operators would be of particular interest
Thanks
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 28-10-21 11:49; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Any particular reason why you're excluding Switzerland from the discussion?
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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?
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| LaForet wrote: |
| Any particular reason why you're excluding Switzerland from the discussion? |
Current thread post is "EU country"
Maybe change the title of the thread to "European" or "EU plus CH" if it is to be a broader discussion
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Thu 28-10-21 11:51; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Amended 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Well, Austria currently satisfies 4 out of 5 for vaccinated/recovered individuals. The 5th one, FFP2 masks on lifts, is not going to go away this season.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Scotland
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UK covid numbers are declining... looking quite positive to me.
We have booked Zermatt first week Dec and then have booked time off for 4 trips in the New Year, will book accom closer to the time/depending on how things play out.
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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.
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Lol - great answer! Be sure to wrap up warm! I hope to get a few days in this year and am lucky to live about an hour from Cairngorm.
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| cav wrote: |
UK covid numbers are declining... looking quite positive to me.
We have booked Zermatt first week Dec and then have booked time off for 4 trips in the New Year, will book accom closer to the time/depending on how things play out. |
the other edge of the sword is if cases climb in other countries. they decide to introduce tight restrictions.
I very much doubt it. Vaccine is all we have against covid at the moment. So live with it, until a vaccine bursting strain develops.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Switzerland, as long as you are vaccinated. Below based on current rules.
| rossyl wrote: |
Which European country do you feel has the most chance of:
- letting in Brits (or if one says yes, it's yes to all) Vaccinated Brits allowed in no issues.
- not requiring to scan a COVID pass at every lift No requirement to have a COVID pass for lifts
- not requiring more than a Buff as a mask on lifts/bubbles “Special” buffs were allowed last year, face coverings currently only required for inside lifts not outside lifts (so not chairs)
- Having actual outdoor apres, rather than fully seated only They seemed to manage that last year so I’m sure they’ll manage it this year with fewer restrictions
- that will not require daily testing that might result in you locked in a hotel No tests required if you are vaccinated
Thanks |
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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.
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Thanks very much. Looks like Austria or Switzerland.
Just to check, does anyone have any ideas of what it will be like in France?
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Another vote for Switzerland. We've got Zermatt booked for December and January.
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You know it makes sense.
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@rossyl, not entirely sure what's putting you off e.g. France or Italy or Spain 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Gämsbock, i’d caveat your response on lifts- Bund said they’d have the final say not lift companies.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Nadenoodlee, that’s why I said currently  . Even if the bund had made an announcement that wouldn’t rule out them changing it if they feel the situation has changed.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| under a new name wrote: |
| @rossyl, not entirely sure what's putting you off e.g. France or Italy or Spain |
Outdoor social distancing. The only place where it seems taht is not required is Austria. Which hopefully means they'll actually have some decent outdoor Apres.
Given Austria still are planning a Snowbombing festival, I'm hoping for a fun Apres scene.
Given you can go to nightclubs in London, I want to have more fun in the evenings when on holiday, than I would staying at home.
France and Switzerland both require outdoor social distancing.
I must say I'm not a fan of the mask rules in Austria. Fiddling with a mask to get on lifts/bubbles, I imagine will be tricky and result in cold hands.
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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?
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| rossyl wrote: |
I must say I'm not a fan of the mask rules in Austria. Fiddling with a mask to get on lifts/bubbles, I imagine will be tricky and result in cold hands. |
I guess it may be easier just to keep the mask on.
What were folk doing last year?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
What were folk doing last year? |
In CH we just pushed them down onto our chins/necks whilst skiing. They got pretty manky but it wasn’t really too much of a bother. You can see them here.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@rossyl, are you vaccinated?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| rossyl wrote: |
| France and Switzerland both require outdoor social distancing. |
For Switzerland that (supposedly) depends on whether it is an outdoor certificate event or an outdoor non-certificate event. A non-certificate outdoor event requires distancing or a barrier between guest groups. But no requirement if it‘s a certificate event. So if a venue wants to run normal outdoor apres, all they have to do is make it certificate access only and then they can run it with no distancing and no masks. If you don‘t have a certificate you‘re going to have trouble getting into Switzerland anyway so I assume that‘s not an issue.
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| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| rossyl wrote: |
I must say I'm not a fan of the mask rules in Austria. Fiddling with a mask to get on lifts/bubbles, I imagine will be tricky and result in cold hands. |
I guess it may be easier just to keep the mask on.
What were folk doing last year? |
I had trouble with it last in CH, though it depends on the weather and resort. If it is snowing and/or the runs are short it‘s a pain. I left on but moved it up and down - you can‘t leave it up when skiing because your goggles steam up. I usually couldn‘t manage to get it up successfully without taking a glove off so my hands did get cold. The mask very quickly gets soggy and manky and if it‘s cold will be nicely frozen by the bottom of every lift. Days lapping short runs resulted in sores behind the ears from the chaffing. I‘m really hoping the no masks required on outside lifts will stay in CH for the winter (i.e. they are only required on inside lifts) but I‘m also pretty disinclined to visit Austria this year because of the stricter mask rules. I‘ve very little experience with the FFP2s because my first attempt felt so unpleasant that I promptly took it off and swapped it for a surgical!
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Switzerland was the only country open last season so probably most reliable for this season. I took mask off at top of lifts and put it back on again at the bottom. Not ideal but you get used to it. Suspect rules will be more relaxed this ski season based on the Summer (lack of) enforcement.
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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.
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But, is any resort in CH actually fun?
If St Anton is HALF as fun as normal, it will still be a lot of fun.
Also, in CH they obey the rules. Try crossing a road without a Green Man showing, members of the public will tell you off. Seriously.
CH is also far less dependant on tourism.
But, I agree, if Apres holds little value to you, for pure skiing, I would go to CH.
If Apres is important, Austria seems best. But, the mask situation for lifts, seems rubbish.
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| Gämsbock wrote: |
| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| rossyl wrote: |
I must say I'm not a fan of the mask rules in Austria. Fiddling with a mask to get on lifts/bubbles, I imagine will be tricky and result in cold hands. |
I guess it may be easier just to keep the mask on.
What were folk doing last year? |
I had trouble with it last in CH, though it depends on the weather and resort. If it is snowing and/or the runs are short it‘s a pain. I left on but moved it up and down - you can‘t leave it up when skiing because your goggles steam up. I usually couldn‘t manage to get it up successfully without taking a glove off so my hands did get cold. The mask very quickly gets soggy and manky and if it‘s cold will be nicely frozen by the bottom of every lift. Days lapping short runs resulted in sores behind the ears from the chaffing. I‘m really hoping the no masks required on outside lifts will stay in CH for the winter (i.e. they are only required on inside lifts) but I‘m also pretty disinclined to visit Austria this year because of the stricter mask rules. I‘ve very little experience with the FFP2s because my first attempt felt so unpleasant that I promptly took it off and swapped it for a surgical! |
Thanks for the honesty
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| telford_mike wrote: |
| @rossyl, are you vaccinated? |
Yes indeed
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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.
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@rossyl, any resort fun??? You have not been obviously! Try Zermatt, Papperla pub. The skiing also is pretty good.
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| twoodwar wrote: |
| @rossyl, any resort fun??? You have not been obviously! Try Zermatt, Papperla pub. The skiing also is pretty good. |
Agreed. The Hennu Stall isn’t too bad either!
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You know it makes sense.
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| rossyl wrote: |
But, is any resort in CH actually fun?
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It was good enough for Prince Andrew. Just saying…
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Gämsbock wrote: |
| I had trouble with it last in CH, though it depends on the weather and resort. If it is snowing and/or the runs are short it‘s a pain. I left on but moved it up and down - you can‘t leave it up when skiing because your goggles steam up. I usually couldn‘t manage to get it up successfully without taking a glove off so my hands did get cold. The mask very quickly gets soggy and manky and if it‘s cold will be nicely frozen by the bottom of every lift. Days lapping short runs resulted in sores behind the ears from the chaffing. I‘m really hoping the no masks required on outside lifts will stay in CH for the winter (i.e. they are only required on inside lifts) but I‘m also pretty disinclined to visit Austria this year because of the stricter mask rules. I‘ve very little experience with the FFP2s because my first attempt felt so unpleasant that I promptly took it off and swapped it for a surgical! |
FFP2 masks are horrible things that smell of industrial chemicals. Anyone studied the level of microplastics inhaled from them? However, they do hold their shape so you can wedge the nose wire under your goggles and pull a buff over the top, and after a bit of practise, without removing your gloves. Swiftly into a pocket at the exit.
Masks on chairlifts is nonsense, but the regs include chairlifts with a cover, which in Austria is most of them these days. One resort last season tied the covers down with cable ties so they didn't have to enforce mask wearing!
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Poster: A snowHead
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So...having decided Austria seemed a safe bet, it is looking for less promising and more subject to changing rules. I'm concerned about talk of curfews and daily testing.
So if not Austria, where?
Skiing and Apres are important.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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France, currently no Covid pass for lifts I think.
Spain, currently no Covid pass for anything but they love wearing masks
Andorra (was open last season), probably do same as Spain.
Not sure about Scandinavia but I reckon Sweden will be chilled.
Bulgaria or any Eastern European country, they know what communism looks like.
For lifts with covers rule, good idea, tie them back, not really needed anyway. Although many resorts have no option only closed lifts to get up and around mountain.
Challenge is these rules change which can really mess things up.
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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?
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Already booked:
- week of christmas: La Plagne
- feb mid-term: Les Arcs
All set !
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FAQ
