Skiing

Potentially silly question - can we drive through Switzerland to get to Chatel without filling out forms and getting a Covid test to enter?

https://travelcheck.admin.ch/home

Looks like we could, thanks.

If you’re vaccinated I don’t think you need a test to enter. Just covid passport.

Have I missed something or could you not simply pour a couple of drops of water on one of these, take a picture and be clear to travel?

Glacier 3000 coming up trumps again today. Lifts opened for the first time today since the snowfall at the weekend. Some variable snow but good powder to be found with the occasional sharks. Given that a few weeks ago I though this trip wasnt going to happen, I'm ecstatic!

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Pre-departure tests seem to be around £22 for the test, and the certificate that you are provided with, from my Googling of the matter.

I'm assuming they're all much of a muchness, unless someone has a source for cheaper/better ones?

I used chronomics when I went to France for Christmas, really easy and the result was instant. It was 18.99 when I got it and it's even cheaper now. https://www.chronomics.com/fit-to-fly-antigen

Ordered- thanks

Have I missed something or could you not simply pour a couple of drops of water on one of these, take a picture and be clear to travel?

Water won't (or shouldn't) give you the control line, but pouring the required number of drops of the supplied buffer solution into the test would probably do the job.

So, yes, self administered (non-witnessed) tests do very little for the untrustworthy.

I’m reading on some travel forums that the return LFT will be stopped on Jan 26th.

We drove into Chatel via Morgins on Friday and there was no one checking anything at the border. NHS app was fine in French restaurants even though techincally Brits weren't supposed to be there until the Saturday. Pistes were quite nice but getting scraped in places, even in quiet weeks the PdS seems to be busier than anywhere else!

By contrast, the Gstaad area yesterday and Monday was wonderfully quiet; slopes in fanstatic condition and still some soft stuff to be had on the sides- very dry air has stopped north facing snow from freezing solid.

https://twitter.com/IndyTravel/status/1484133261983031299?s=20

Looks like Austria will be removing the need for a PCR test for anyone coming from the UK if they are triple jabbed.

(Right now they require a negative PCR regardless of vaccination status.)

That simplifies my upcoming trip, but I still need to check what I need for flying in/out of Switzerland.

Negative LF test today, if I get a negative again tomorrow then happy days.

And Switzerland have announced they are easing their testing requirements too.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/switzerland-to-drop-pre-travel-test-from-saturday/ar-AASXQfS

Coupled with the Austrian changes it means I can go on my trip in two weeks without having to get a PCR done before hand.

Someone at work suggested I ask for the NHS Covid letter to go along side the NHS Covid Pass app, it was very easy to order the letter on the NHS website.

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Dave Ryding! Delighted for the man.

I’ve been following skiing for 45 years and skiing for 40. What a day, but it’s been a bloody long wait!
What a day for him and British Alpine skiing.

Yeah, I'm thrilled for him. It's testament to the respect he has earned that the whole skiing world seems to be celebrating with him. Not many athletes work harder than Dave Ryding.

Will look forward to Ski Sunday tomorrow...

What a freakin legend, so happy for him. Can’t wait to catch the highlights. Good timing for a medal chance in Beijing!

We got to Chatel, skiing has been done and will be done. Tres bon.

Drone cam on Ski Sunday is super unpleasant to watch

Glad you made it. How was the checks ect. Iv just orders my covid LFT from chronomics for my trip to Chamonix and not long sorted the French equivalent or the track and trace app with my vaccine certificates uploaded on it. All seems a faf but sure it will be worth it and easy once I'm traveling.

I uploaded all my documents and then printed them all out- this (which I thought was excessive caution) turned out to be useful as the French had no view of any uploaded documents- people in front of us took ages handing a phone out the window, then it went back, next email found etc.

We shot through in under a minute- but were of course stuck in the queue of people who only had their passport and a phone.

Might be different if you are flying.