French Resorts announce COVID-19 adaptations

France Montagnes have published the guidelines they expect French ski resorts, and their visitors, to adhere to for this coming winter.

We expect very similar measures to be adopted at all ski areas (in Europe and elsewhere) but if we do come across any significant departures from these rules we'll let you know (and please let us know if you know of any!).


Click on the image (now in English) for the full resolution version

French version is here.

Public transport (trains, transfer buses, etc.)

- Face masks compulsory on the platforms and in the buses / trains.

Lifts

- Wearing a mask is compulsory in the queues and on the ski lifts.
- Daily disinfection of contact areas.

Equipment Rental

- Wearing a mask is compulsory (in the shop).
- Disinfection of rented equipment.
- Sanitizer gel available.

In your accommodation and at the Tourist Offices

- Wearing a mask is compulsory in common and enclosed areas.
- Sanitizer gel available.
- Disinfection of contact surfaces and increased cleaning frequency.

In bars / restaurants

- Seated service only.
- Spacing of tables of at least 1 metre OR physical separation by fixed or removable wall.
- Wearing a mask compulsory when moving around the establishment.
- Sanitizer gel available.
- Disinfection of contact surfaces and increased cleaning frequency.

At the Ski School

- Wearing a mask compulsory during gatherings at the start and end of lessons, for the instructor and for students aged 11 and over.

In buildings, common areas and public spaces

- Wearing a mask is compulsory for people aged 11 and over.
- Sanitizer gel available.
- Surface disinfection.

Hard to see this being anything like enough precautions! What are they going to do about accommodation, especially in France where they love to pack people in? Not unusual to see 16 people packed into a 3-bedroom chalet - spending a huge amount of time together. What about the bars/restaurants? Are they really going to allow large groups sit at the same table? What about bar/restaurant/chalet staff? Typically packed in like sardines into cramped accommodation - their health not helped by lots of partying making them vulnerable to picking up all sorts of infections. Look up what happened in the Kitzloch bar in Ischgl!

Unfortunately, the pressure to try to salvage tourism revenue is driving decision making. That's all right several months out but is unlikely to wash when we get closer to the main ski-season.

Sorry if I sound like a Cassandra but I am not optimistic for the 2021 ski season!

Wanderer wrote:Sorry if I sound like a Cassandra but I am not optimistic for the 2021 ski season!

Some fair points but most resorts have been very busy over the summer and seem confident they can deliver during the winter... as long as we can actually get there, of course!

Not sure about packing out accommodation, but as I understand it the intention is to have all eating and drinking as seated service; so traditional apres-ski (understandably, following Ischgl) won't be happening. Given that, I expect numbers at individual tables to be limited also.

Fingers crossed that we're allowed to go but with a bit of planning there should be some skiing to be had.

If we drive down, in our "social bubble", grab groceries from a hypermarket and check in to a self-catered apartment for the week I don't see that we're going to be any more exposed than just staying at home. We tend to head for quieter resorts / lifts / slopes anyway and we can manage without the apres.

Surprised to see no restrictions being mooted on lift capacity, especially for the large télécabines.

Fachverband Seilbahnen, the Austrian ropeway operators trade association have also published their COVID-19 related safety and hygiene measures for the coming winter season. See "Verhaltensregeln im Winterbetrieb für Unternehmen" https://www.wko.at/branchen/transport-verkehr/seilbahnen/sicher-am-berg.html

The main difference as far as I can see is that the Austrian lift companies will allow skiers to use buffs and scarves as mouth and nose protection (the Austrian government regulations don't specifically state that masks have to be worn) whereas France, Switzerland and Italy require masks to be worn, as on public transport.

Admin wrote:Some fair points but most resorts have been very busy over the summer and seem confident they can deliver during the winter... as long as we can actually get there, of course!

The number of people visiting ski resorts in summer is far fewer than in winter, although staycationing locals have compensated for some of the missing foreign tourists in many places the numbers are down.

It's generally reckoned that ski lifts should be able to operate, but if season pass and advance ticket sales are considerably down some lift companies might have cash flow problems.

The operation of hotels, bars, restaurants and other après ski venues in a safe and profitable manner is much more problematic.

Well reading the news via SwingBeep it seems to me that this winter will be an ideal time to go ...better service and less crowded slopes ...can't wait!