Skiing

dunno if this is available easily at the airport?

Zurich is well equipped for PCR and LFD tests on arrival. Booking required though.

Thanks for the link. I'll be sure to check it out and follow it's guidelines and suggestions. Hopefully they make some changes to the rules and make it simpler as others have mentioned.

Cheers

Looks like UK about to remove the need to return PCR testing.

With France reporting 332000 cases today I’m not anticipating a swift retraction of the essential travel only ban :(

If you are going to Switzerland, you can get the Swiss COVID pass (and app) online:

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/covid-zertifikat/covid-zertifikat-erhalt-gueltigkeit.html

Actual forms: https://covidcertificate-form.admin.ch/foreign

I did it, was 30 chf. Got my approval the following day, and the app auto-updated with it. Good for a year. All I did was upload my CDC Covid Card info (plus flights/passport).

Side thing, it's also accepted in EU too so bonus points!

If they have that many cases would allowing travel for triple vaxxed visitors make much of a difference?

Very little I’d have thought. But their health service must be under pressure and maybe couldn’t cope with additional ski injuries.
Also Macron up for election in a few months so keeping the Brits at arms length may be politically astute.
Or tomorrow he may lift all restrictions because they need the money.

French resorts desparately need the money. They've been hopping mad at Macron. Brits make up-in the absence of Scandis, about 100% of the aprés scene in France.
If Serre Che is anything to go by they're advertising heavily in Eastern Europe to try to get numbers up. A lot of Croats in resort now, can't recall ever seeing any here before

In response to recent news... Am I right in thinking we just need to do a lat flow or PCR from a recommended vender that is paid for before traveling to Switzerland. Then once in Switzerland doing another test at a designated center as said before. But no need to test on the return or once returned to the UK?

Am I right in thinking we just need to do a lat flow or PCR from a recommended vender that is paid for before traveling to Switzerland

Yes

Then once in Switzerland doing another test at a designated center as said before. But no need to test on the return or once returned to the UK?

No

You wint need to test in Switzerland but will still have to do the 2 day (can be lateral flow) once back in England

Get the NHS to send you the proof Letter of covid vacination

I have this on my NHS app. I'm pretty sure I can request a printable version from the app.

@leggy_blonde so your saying I won't need to test at all in Switzerland. Sorry I'm getting confused aha

I have this on my NHS app. I'm pretty sure I can request a printable version from the app.

Can't remember how I got mine but it is worth it as a just incase.

I have an AirBnB apartment booked in Montgenevre (France) for half term. AirBnB's terms are that I can cancel with a full refund up until 24h before. However, I have been contacted by the owner asking if I can cancel now, if I can't confirm I will be going. I have flights into Turin booked seperately.

Given the France situation I am minded to cancel and rebook somewhere in Italy

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/04/travel/crete-greece-skiing.html

The place that we were meant to be staying next week has offered us two weeks (well, just under) from the 23rd of Jan to the 4th of Feb. Nothing payable until/unless we were able to get there - which if the border was closed we obviously wouldn't.

I'm debating whether to accept this, and cross my fingers, or to accept that France isn't happening and book via e.g. Crystal Ski and accept that a plane journey is required.

What would you chaps do?

As noted upthread I am going to pull the plug on my mid-Feb France trip - they might relax the rules but I just don't want the uncertainty. I already have flights to Italy so a slightly easier decision.

Yes, it's certainty* vs uncertainty that's causing me concern.

* Insofar as anything is certain at the moment

Depends how desperate you are. Do you still have the leave booked? If I were you I would take a package to switzerland/italy/spain for next week., I bet there are som elast minute deals. Heavy snowfall forcast this weekend for the alps, then sun for a few days. Perfect piste conditions.

I cancelled next week, hoping that France would reopen.

Well, decided on the YOLO approach to skiing, and have made a reservation in Chatel for the 23rd - 4th, which, if the borders are still closed will be replaced with some form of last minute booking.

A friend working in Morzine managing multiple chalets says ‘strong rumour’ of an announcement Wednesday lifting the travel restrictions from UK. The company he works for are part of a group lobbying the French government to make the change.

Does the rumour include when that might be from?

They have heard from 16th Jan but he added ‘it’s not a fact yet’

Rules to France relaxed