Forum menu
Game On! Accommodation, Car Hire & Airport Parking booked for Cervinia at half term.
The flights were already booked. Just got to work out what tests we need and book the insurance and equipment hire.
For the first time in 2 years, it feels as though it might actually happen.
Game On! Accommodation, Car Hire & Airport Parking booked for Cervinia at half term.
See you there - hopefully. When does hope become optimism?
Where you staying?
👋 @LD a new place to us, Residence Castelli, which is on the right by the mini roundabout as you drive in from the south. Pickings are slim, but this place looks ok 🤞
What about you?
Still holding tight for Avoriaz at half term here. Loads of rumours now about French restrictions easing soon - fingers crossed!
@oldtennisshoes just up the hill in Cielo Alto. First time in Cervinia. I assume you got sorted for vaccs and green passes and all that nonsense?
We nearly didn't until someone on snowheads pointed out that the Covid status Scotland app produces a SGP compatible qr code for proof of recovery! Saved the holiday.
@LD, all vaxxed, but not sorted the green passes yet - I may be in touch 🙂
It'll be my 6th time in Cervinia. Was supposed to be there over New Year as well, but an unvaxxed 15 year old at the time made the proposition too high maintenance.
I've never stayed there, but I've had positive reports from friends that have stayed at Cielo Alto. Roll on mid Feb!
@LD - do you have a link to the Italian rules for Covid? We're going to the Dolomites in early Feb and I'm not sure we've been given the latest info.
English skiers are flying to Turin, hiring a car ( with Italian plates ) and driving across the French border with no issues
Yeah there are always pricks that seem to think the rules don't apply to them - see Jockyvich thread and our dear Leaders behaviour. I'll wager these are the same people whining when Indians etc were coming into the UK via the Middle East to avoid the entry ban at that time. It stinks.
More positively, we're hearing today is the day that the Frenchies announce when the drawbridge is coming back down. Fingers crossed for the 15/01 trip.
Ooh we've got Cervinia at Easter in our mind too! Will be the maiden ski trip in the motorhome.
@ElSalimo the short is is no not really, there is so much information requiring a bit of interpretation it's ridiculous.
I'll summarise my understanding of the relevant rules after spending too much time reading about it all. Hopefully all this is correct and verifiable with googles help!
To enter Italy everyone over 12 needs a fit to fly PCR less than 48 hours old or LFT Antigen less than 24 hours old, a Passenger Locator Form and proof of Vaccination status.
To do nearly anything within Italy, buy a ski pass, eat at a restaurant, get a bus etc etc you now need a Super Green Pass. This is basically a similar thing to our vaccine passport system in Scotland. Note you cannot get a SGP using in resort daily testing as previous.
To qualify for this you need a QR code, digital or print out, to prove the following -
1.Fully vaccinated (or medically exempt)
2. Recently recovered from Covid
Fully vacced is 2 doses for 12 to 17 yr olds with last dose within 180 days, same for adults but many will need to have had booster due to time limit on 2nd dose (this rule comes in on 1st Feb, is 270 day limit until then).
Recently recovered is a qr code to prove a positive NHS PCR test within the last 6 months. This appears in the NHS Covid Status Scotland App (and I believe NHS UK app) in a section below your list of vaccines for over 16 year olds. As far as I'm aware this is not easy, if even possible, to get for under 16's.
So on the ground before you go anywhere or do anything somebody/a machine will scan your QR code to prove you qualify for SGP. The software they use to do this is an app called VerificaC19. You can download this and scan your QR codes to confirm that it will work. It's all in Italian but you need to select the Rafforzata option to qualify for SGP. Always use your most recent Vaccine QR.
One other thing to consider is how to carry your QR code around as NHS apps need data connection. I will be printing and laminating a copy and will have a copy stored in an offline app, going to use GreenPass Italia but you do not need this.
Also note that you need to wear an FFP2 mask nearly everywhere. I need to source a supply and figure a clever way of attaching to ski helmet.
Happy to chat about any other questions or point you to many very long threads on snowheads!
Some photos from touring Selkirk powder in Rogers Pass - British Columbia
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
Great pics!
As for France, it’s coming, it’s coming, wait for it….
Also note that you need to wear an FFP2 mask nearly everywhere. I need to source a supply and figure a clever way of attaching to ski helmet.
You can get plastic clips that go on your helmet straps.
I bought a pack of 10 FFP2 vented masks from Screwfix, £10 for 10
@LD - thanks for that!
We're 4 adults and all triple jabbed. We're going with Crystal Ski but they are a bit lax about sending on the latest info...probably as it changes every 5 mins!
The one thing I know is that the fortnight before going we'll be limiting interactions with anyone outside our house(s).
That looks great @sweaman2, I’d love to do a bit of backcountry around Rogers Pass, driven it a few times and always thought the terrain looked amazing.
Sadly my backcountry skills are super rusty (and I live in the UK) so doubt it will happen any time soon. Still eager to get back to Fernie though and do some of the sidecountry stuff I remember from a season there, have great memories of Mongolia Bowl and the stuff off Mammoth Head/Lost Boys Pass if you know the resort. Anyway, this is just making me itch for snow even more now.
Decent dump here in Salzburgerland the night before last so a powder day yesterday.
Young ColP jumping off stumps
Nice sunrise walk with AlfieP
Followed by park laps
@LD thanks for that from me too. I'm going to have a play with the SGP app.
What I don't understand though is how you can scan the qr code on your own phone using the SGP app. What am I missing?
If by FFP2vented you mean they have a valve to make unfiltered breathing out possible I think you'll find they are not acceptable. There's now little point trying to keep Brits out of Europe, the infection rate here is higher.
I found I could still ski 30-year-old skis but it's hard work, hairy and sometimes worrying. Back down in one piece though. I'd forgotten that feeling of dread as a ski breaks through the crust and hauls you the opposite way to which you're trying to turn. All pine trees missed, just. Pretty good snow at 2400m, concrete at 1400m
What I don’t understand though is how you can scan the qr code on your own phone using the SGP app. What am I missing?
You need to get a copy of your code onto another device, I just take a photo. Then scan that. You will not use the VerifiaC19 app in Italy. They will scan your phone or paper code with it.
France opens up again tomorrow (Friday)
https://twitter.com/JBLemoyne/status/1481545885167280130
-We are relaxing the entry conditions int France from United Kingdom for vaccinated travelers.
-end of compelling reasons and isolation on arrival
-a negative test < 24h will be requested at the start
-The decree will be published tomorrow morning, with immediate entry into force
Travelski website is taking a hammering 🙁
Woohoo!!
whooop - was worth chancing booking a flight last week for next weekend!
any got any proper info on what testing is required to get into france under the new rules? appreciate it is early days yet.
and also - if flying into geneva (switzerland) then travelling over to france - do I need to fill forms in for switzerland as well as france?
My cancelable bookings might not get cancelled
👍🙂🙃😃😋👍
any got any proper info on what testing is required to get into france under the new rules? appreciate it is early days yet.
It's worth checking out snowheads website, though the threads area LOT bigger than this so the info can sometimes get drowned
Checked the government websites (french and English) and still cannot find whether we need a PCR or a lateral flow test to go. Getting a tad frustrated
Chunnel is booked for Saturday morning though....
Another here hoping to drive to Switzerland via France. Would love to know what the procedure is. Guessing PCR within 24 hours arrival to France. Then whatever the regulations are for travel from France to Switzerland?
I'm ok to drop this in here, I know it's not the Alps but it'll have to do me for a while yet...
Cairngorm the weekend past.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/ZRwDC2P3/PXL-20220109-095614699.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/ZRwDC2P3/PXL-20220109-095614699.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/0j3WCSBy/PXL-20220109-101808545.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/0j3WCSBy/PXL-20220109-101808545.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/sf0NyFgC/PXL-20220109-101833663.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/sf0NyFgC/PXL-20220109-101833663.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/T1hNm0Qs/PXL-20220109-101853755.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/T1hNm0Qs/PXL-20220109-101853755.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Checked the government websites (french and English) and still cannot find whether we need a PCR or a lateral flow test to go
If it's to be done in the 24hrs before going, I think that means it must a lateral flow - PCR would take longer than that to process?
Way and indeed hey... We're on for the 15/01 😀
Servicing in progress :
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/RZKR70d9/20220113-102652.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/RZKR70d9/20220113-102652.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
If it’s to be done in the 24hrs before going, I think that means it must a lateral flow – PCR would take longer than that to process?
Yes. My sister recommends the Boots Rapid Antigen (as opposed to PCR).
any got any proper info on what testing is required to get into france under the new rules? appreciate it is early days yet.
Before Christmas I was in email contact with the French Consulate in Edinburgh regarding which LFTs were suitable for travel TO France. NHS ones are not, but any where you upload an image of the result to the test provider and they sent you an electronic certificate apparently are OK.
I specifically checked whether a test that gets sent to you to do at home, you perform the test yourself, and then the result is uploaded to the provider for them to certificate it is OK, and they said yes it is.
Kinda thinking out loud here based on my current research. If you wanted to drive to Swizerland...
France wants negative test taken in last 24 hours (so has to be Rapid Antigen / Flow).
Switzerland wants negative test - PCR in last 72, Flow in last 24. I usually stop on way down / across so have to get test day before so Flow / Antigen won't be within 24 hours which means PCR 48 hours before leaving, antigen within 24 hours of leaving.
Location forms for Switzerland. Waiting to see what other documents for France...
Looking to book a snowboard trip for the end of the season. But I can't be doing with all this silly Covid charade (vaccine pass etc), especially not when on holiday. Does anyone know which country in Europe has the most normal and relaxed feel at the moment? Have heard that Bulgaria might be relatively normal but has anyone been recently? Anywhere else that has not succumbed to all this pointless carry-on?
@Freester
Means PCR 48? Not necessarily.
Google Randox CertiFly
Roughly £19.
Order, click and collect from local garage, down load app, use when you need them.
Randox email you the certificate.
we used C19, ordered and delivered the tests the same day, guarantee certificate within 12 hours.
@igm @sprootlet yeh thanks was thinking could flow test twice once before I enter france. Stop over on way down do another test or something.
Bollox couldn't have got this anymore wrong! Booked avoriaz week or so later French ban UK visitors... last weekend paid extra with same company WeSki to switch to Switzerland.... and now macron caves in and France has some silly cheap deals... should have taken a refund! I know first world problems 😉
What cheap deals have you spotted?
Just taken a PCR test for a trip to Kitzbuhel, Austria. Really hope that it's negative!
We were due to travel to France this weekend but have postponed that until March.
We have been looking for the country with the strictest rules rather than the least restrictive, sad I know.
@smoky_jo weSki deal to laplagne
https://www.igluski.com/ski-resorts/france/la-plagne/residence-les-constellations_1619
All sorted for La Tania on the 9th. Appt sorted, flights sorted, what’s the Shizz on hire cars at Geneva? It’s been a while.
I know it can get complicated with French and Swiss sides and winter prepped cars. Advice gratefully received.
So the French have now clarified the entry requirements, and it's a PCR or lat flow test 24 hours before departure.
Obviously the free NHS lat flow tests are not eligible,but does anyone know whether it has to be a lat flow test conducted over video call/in the providers premises or can it be an at home lat flow from any of the fit to fly lat flow providers?
@swavis looks mega that!!! Hoping to be doing the same myself Feb half term.....
We have been looking for the country with the strictest rules rather than the least restrictive
How come out of interest? You could try Australia, authoritarianism and abuse of human rights is off the scale there if that is your sort of thing? Not sure the skiing is good this time of year though.
Anyway, anywhere know which skiable countries in Europe currently have the lease restrictions? I kind of want my holiday to feel like a holiday, not an excersize in form filling, nasal swabbing and having to show your papers every time you fancy a bit of Apres Ski.