The STW Ski and Snowboard thread: 2021-2022 Season

Looks like my French long weekend won’t go ahead in January, what are the resort options in Switzerland close to Geneva? I’ve only skied in Zermatt previously which is a bit far?

Could you not try for somewhere like Chatel @ElVino? Nice ski area and can also pop in to France assuming they’re not monitoring the border on the piste (can’t imagine it somehow).

Any of the Swiss resorts connected to pds. Les Crosets for easy snow access or Champery for cable car access to snow.
Pretty sure Chatel is in France.
Or Villars is nice with a day out to Glacier 3000.

A brief update from Canada then – the slopes have been pretty empty but that’s because it’s been -25C or colder a lot of the time. The good news is that Facemask wearing is pretty much a given at those kind of temps. A friend is out in Whistler and whilst the snow is fantastic the roads are terrible. It took them 3 hours to get from Whistler to Squamish yesterday…..

A few shots from recent trips.

Sunshine powder

Silver Star and the Okanagan

Sweamrs chasing Sweajnr

I’ve managed a couple of days of touring but we’ve also got a rain crust in the middle of the snow pack so it’s pretty twitchy.

Laps in Icefields parkway.

So it is @LD, don’t know why I always thought it was in Switzerland. But that what I was thinking, PDS resorts but over the border.

Meanwhile, the resorts I’m off to in Oregon (hopefully) are getting pounded, in fact all closed for two days as they’ve closed the road up from Portland.

Big dump for a couple of days then blue skies today

Our trip on the 22nd to 3V isn’t looking likely now, I can roll the apartment over to next year easy enough but can I get through to Jet2 to sort flights? can I buggery !

Our trip on the 22nd to 3V isn’t looking likely now,

Rumour has it tourists will be allowed back soon, announcement expected this weekend. They’ve already said business travel restirctions should easy today

What do you lot think are the odds of a late spring trip going ahead? Easter or a week or so earlier, perhaps. We’d planned to go and almost booked for half term, but then the Omicron stuff landed and it all seemed impossible again. My wife is very covid-risk-averse…

18″ fell at Loveland over the past couple of days. Me and Mini 10 are heading up to ski what’s left this afternoon.

Had my trip to Club Med Val D’isaire on 16/1 cancelled yesterday. Was expecting it, but still gutted. I’m not going to look at alternatives for various reasons, but now wait until our lads trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo in March.

What can possibly go wrong!

What do you lot think are the odds of a late spring trip going ahead? Easter or a week or so earlier, perhaps. We’d planned to go and almost booked for half term, but then the Omicron stuff landed and it all seemed impossible again. My wife is very covid-risk-averse…

Cases are riding fast in Austria. It’s Ffp2 masks in lifts, shops and walking around restaurants ATM. Possible announcement about stricter mask use next week.

Rumour has it tourists will be allowed back soon, announcement expected this weekend. They’ve already said business travel restirctions should easy today

So Feb Half Term might be a go-er for France?

What is the source of the rumours?

We’re booked to Meribel on the 15/01. I’ll be very happy and stunned if we actually make it.

No idea about sources for rumours, but the Germans have just dropped their quarantine requirements for UK arrivals, so possible / likely that the French will jump on the same trend and ease off too.

Wife’s off to Austria in the morning with a mate, still not sure she believes it’s going to happen!

We’ve got the Eurotunnel booked for March, hopefully we’ll be allowed in to France by then, even if it’s just to transit through and we’ll go somewhere else. Haven’t made any other plans as we’re taking the camper and will just see where looks best at the time.

I’ve got 10 days booked for cervinia at Easter. Hoping nothing scuppers it!

What is the source of the rumours?

On Thursday I emailed the people we’re renting our apartment from, to ask if I can delay the balance payment given that we can’t come over yet. Had a reply that afternoon:

Yes absolutely. Today on the radio they announced travel restrictions will ease for professional business this Friday and should be opening borders for tourists as of next week.

However more than happy to wait until we get that notification

Can recommend Sainte Foy Uncovered, based on the speedy replies and general helpfulness while we’ve been arranging this trip
http://www.saintefoy.info/

Chatel is in France. Only a couple of Ks from the border with Switzerland, Morgin is in Switzerland, all part of Portes du Soleil.

Just back from 3 weeks in Austria. Was great when we arrived – empty slopes, vax passport to get in and also to show in every eatery and pub. As well as buying your lift pass. You now need a negative pcr as well for the travel into the country.

It’s all functioning reasonably but even so, a few bars are closing just 3 weeks in (temporary) as staff has tested positive.

FFP2 masks in the lift queues and bubbles- well observed (unless you’re shouty and Dutch)

Oh – and the snow was great.

I’m confident France will change tact very soon. Just sit tight people……

Jumped on some easy jet flights to GVA today. Going for a 4 night short break on the 9th Feb. Going to wait to book accom. Till after the French decide if they want our money. Verbier or Nendaz if they decide they don’t.

My daughter is working in the alps this season and she has been telling us that English skiers are flying to Turin, hiring a car ( with Italian plates ) and driving across the French border with no issues as they are not being stopped for passport checks. And the French resort that she is working in is very grateful for the business. Not sure if I would be bold enough to try this, could be an expensive mistake if you are randomly stopped

My daughter is working in the alps this season and she has been telling us that English skiers are flying to Turin, hiring a car ( with Italian plates ) and driving across the French border with no issues as they are not being stopped for passport checks. And the French resort that she is working in is very grateful for the business. Not sure if I would be bold enough to try this, could be an expensive mistake if you are randomly stopped

Sounds like I’m being overly cautious, none of us will be on British passports, 2 Kiwis and 2 Irish, perhaps we should just go to PdS like originally planned

Oh dear, I picked up odd skis so for the rando tomorrow so had to look in the loft for an old pair. I’ve found a 30-year-old pair of Fishers with Silvretta bindings – 5.2kgs the pair, at least I’ll have a good excuse if I’m trailing behind.

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

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.