Skiing

Really doesn't look like Switzerland is going to lock down. Combine that with quarantine requirements being relaxed soon (i.e test negative after 5 days and quarantine over) and insurance being available, things starting to look possible.

However, does it make you a cunt to go on holiday during a pandemic? I suspect the answer might be yes.

If the Swiss media is anything to go by, people coming on holiday is the only way that the country can survive. Looks like we're also on the back slope of the second wave now, so by January the cases should be back to manageable numbers.

Considering the role skiing played in spreading the love in the first place I suspect that's a very definite yes. Add to that France and Italy are making noises about keeping their ski resorts closed, so they'll all be nipping over the border for their fix and...here we go again!

Yeah, sadly I think you're right.

No amount of telling ourselves that we don't use ski lifts, bars or restaurants on our trips means that we won't be contributing to the problem.

Might be time to invest in my touring set up.

It's not even like you can go to Scotland instead...
https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-hours/

No need to go that far!
http://www.yadmoss.co.uk/

Chuffin'eckers, like. That's a day trip!

which would also raise questions about the spread of the virus as well, even if they were open. :)

We may not be allowed into France from the 1st of Jan due to third country Covid restrictions: https://www.thelocal.it/20201126/british-people-could-face-covid-19-travel-restriction-in-europe-from-january

I do wonder how much of last year's outbreak was down to apres ski rather than ski lifts.

From 1st hand experience: all of it! I was on a stag do in March. We spent the whole day touring having no contact with other groups, then went to a packed après bar and threw beer on each other after having watched the rugby shoulder to shoulder in a pub. 6 of us almost certainly got Covid (testing wasn’t available at the time).

The attitude in the Swiss resorts was super relaxed until the end of march.

Probably a high majority of it I'd think. Was in Mayrhofen the last week the slopes were open and the bars closed halfway through the week. They had a one in one out policy and restricted numbers in the bars before that but was still completely packed from what you could see walking past.

And the flights / buses there and back?

Possibly but for whatever reason there doesn't seem to be consensus on how much international travel affects spread. I think a lot of studies have shown that the risk of catching covid on a plane isn't as high as you might think.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2771435

The fact they closed the outdoor spaces and allowed the indoor spaces to remain open would seem to be madness looking back.

Looks like somebody could be skiing next week and the week after; let’s keep fingers crossed.

Speaking to someone who lives in Switzerland skinning up and skiing down is going to be permitted.

Yeah don’t look like this skiing is in Suisse.

Funnily enough, Cycliste has just bought her first pair of touring skis, boots and bats. Coincidence? I think not.

Article in the FT today confirming that (pending something remarkable happening) we (meaning UK passport holders) will be barred from Europe from the 1st of January, as once we are a third country we lose EU travel rights, and won't be eligible for them due to our C19 numbers.

Article in the FT today confirming that (pending something remarkable happening) we (meaning UK passport holders) will be barred from Europe from the 1st of January, as once we are a third country we lose EU travel rights, and won't be eligible for them due to our C19 numbers.

Looking forward to my planned flight on the 2nd...

Link?

Austria are saying travel is ok without covid test if cases are below 150 per 100k in source country. Covid test required to gain entry if higher. I assume there is something in EU rules that supersedes Austria's rules?

Behind a paywall

Ive got ft.com access, just couldnt find the article.