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In the ever-changing rules on what's required to enter different ski nations this winter, those planning a trip to Austria in the latter half of the season will want to be aware of the latest changes there.

As of February 1, 2022, the validity period of vaccination certificates in Austria (green passport) will change.

They are really minor tweaks to the existing requirements and those fully double-vaccinated last year and recently boosted should be fine, but for those not triple jabbed or double-jabbed with evidence of a recent recovery from the virus, they could cause issues entering Austria.

However, it is worth noting by those who have not had a booster that the period for those who have been double vaccinated only (or single vaccine plus evidence of recovery from an infection), but have not had the booster, is only 180 days (6 months). So someone who had the two shots before 31st July last year, for example, and no booster, would not be able to enter Austria after 31st January this year – until they've had the booster.

However, for those who have had the booster vaccination certificate (3 vaccinations or recovery + 2 vaccinations) entry intro Austria is still valid for 270 days (9 months) covering all of the ski season and indeed much of the year through to next autumn for most.

For entry into Austria, vaccination certificates or other proof of vaccination continue to be valid for 270 days.

Britain's Dave Ryding made British ski racing history today by winning the Hahnenkamm slalom at Kitzbuhel, becoming the first Brit ever to win a World Cup ski race.

Lying sixth after the first run Ryding moved in to the lead with the five skiers after him either skiing out or not matching his time.

Ryding was already Britain's most successful ever skier, with two second-placed podiums, including one at Kitzbuhel.

The 35 year old, who is due to compete in his fourth Winter Olympics next month also won a prize of CHF 110,000.

Unfortunately the Scottish mountains have seen warmer temperatures than southern England in recent weeks and currently have only very limited terrain maintained by all-weather snowmaking machines open. However a new shuttle service to two most southerly of the country's five ski centres should prove very useful once the snow arrives.

The new ski shuttle service from Glasgow to the ski centres of Glencoe and Glenshee has been launched by retailer Ellis Brigham.

Setting off from their store at XSITE Braehead (the location of Scotland's indoor snow centre), located four miles from Glasgow international airport and even closer to the city's rail stations, the weekend service costs £25 with users dropped right by the lift and able to access their bags on the buds all day.

The store is open from 6am to collect and for any last-minute needs and freshly serviced skis or boards can be hired for £25/day if required.

"In summary – fly to Glasgow International on a Friday, overnight at the Travelodge at XSITE, pick up your rental equipment from 6am, board the coach at 7am. Enjoy a day on the slopes, leaving around 5pm. Toast your days' turns in one of the many eating, drinking venues back at XSITE. Repeat," a spokesperson for Ellis Brigham summarised.

Austria has announced it will return to treating the UK as a similar area to most other European countries from Monday next week (24 January).

The UK and initially three other northern European countries had been designated as a "virus variant region" in Austria which meant travel was restricted to those who had had their boosters.

The practical upshot of the ending of this status is slightly fewer requirements on travel for fully-vaccinated Brits.

From 24 January, double-jabbed or recovered travellers can enter the country with a PCR test (valid 72 hours) OR proof of a booster jab (received at least 120 days after the second shot). However, in yet another change, those who have only had two jabs and no booster must have had their jabs within six months of travel to Austria, as of 1st January.

Proof of recovery (within the past 180 days) also counts as a booster.

Once in Austria, having "2-G" status (fully vaccinated) remains essential to enter hotels, restaurants, ski lifts etc.

In other changes, from 1 February, two-dose vaccinations are only valid for six months (180 days) in Austria, after that a booster is needed.

The third jab remains valid for 270 days from day one.

Proof of recovery is also valid for 180 days. BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZen
eca (except Covishield), Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Novavax – including mix and match vaccines – are currently recognised in Austria.

Travellers can show their vaccination status using the NHS app, the EU Digital Covid Certificate (Green Pass) or a printed equivalent in English or German.

Rules for children and teenagers

• Children under the age of 12 do not need proof of vaccination/recovery or a PCR test (exception: in Vienna mandatory testing applies from the age of 6)
• Teenagers (12 or over and born on or after 1 September 2006) who are not yet fully jabbed can use the  Holiday Ninja Pass both to enter Austria and to maintain "2-G" status
• For teenagers born before 1 September 2006, the same rules as for adults apply.

PCR tests are available for both locals and visitors free of charge in Austria.

From Saturday, 22 January, the Swiss Government has dropped its requirement that persons who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19 to present evidence of a recent negative test on arrival at their border.

Currently arrivals have to show a negative PCR test dated within the previous three days or rapid antigen test dated within the previous 24 hours before entering Switzerland.

Switzerland is shortening the validity period of all vaccination certificates from 365 to 270 days from 31 January. This ensures that the Swiss certificate continues to be recognised in the EU.

Persons who are not vaccinated or who have not recovered from COVID-19 will still have to take the tests to enter the country. However, due to limited testing capacity, travellers will no longer be required to take follow-up tests four to seven days after arriving.

The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) will only have to be completed by those travelling to Switzerland by plane or on a long-distance bus service but apparently not by car or rail.

The Ski Podcast has been nominated for 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in the upcoming Sports Podcast Awards 2022.

The podcast was shortlisted by a select group of some of the biggest names in the sports podcasting industry, including Craig Strachan (Amazon), Alec Donics (Spotify) and Ben Green (The Athletic).

Iain Martin, presenter of The Ski Podcast said:

"It's very exciting to be nominated and is validation for the many hours I've put into the podcast over the last few years. Quite frankly, The Ski Podcast got me through last winter when we couldn't ski at all. My mental health was a mess, but the podcast kept me, more than anything, connected, in a winter that never happened. I'd like to thank all our contributors and listeners and, in particular, Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring the podcast."

The Ski Podcast launched in October 2017 and now has 134 episodes available, of which around 100 are listened to every week, all around the world.



The prestigious Sports Podcast Awards honour the best global sports podcasts, with 25 categories up for grabs. There were entries from 13 countries and the finalists were announced on 07 January 2022.

The winners of the awards will be revealed in April 2022.

You can vote for The Ski Podcast and see the other nominations and categories at https://sportspodcastawards.com/categories/19

Ski areas on the East Coast of North America are enjoying their best conditions of the season so far after heavy snowfall hit the region this week.

"We got 20 inches (50cm) of snow in the last week and 14 inches (35cm) of that dropped in the last 24 hours! The snowmaking team is making their way to Skyeship base, stay tuned for stage 1 opening day later this week," a statement from the region's largest ski area, Killington in Vermont, announced late Tuesday.

In the wider region the snowstorms impacted the Midwest and southeast US leaving thousands without power and leading to a reported 1,700 flights being cancelled.

Smuggler's Notch in Vermont (pictured) reports 14 inches (35cm) in the past 48 hours.

The Eastern US and Eastern Canada (along with much of the rest of the continent) had unseasonably warm and sometimes wet weather at the start of the season last fall, making opening weeks problematic for snow cover with little natural snowfall and warm temperatures, limiting snowmaking. Things have been improving since Christmas with very cold temperatures, but not much snowfall, so this big dump is being widely welcomed.

There's more snow forecast for the next few days although not so heavy.

The French government has announced British tourists can return from Friday 14th January, ending the current border closure France initiated due to the omicron pandemic surge.

Brits will need to be fully vaccinated and to have a negative test prior to arrival.

The move had been strongly trailed by tour operators and French resorts over the past few days and hinted at by the French government on Wednesday.

French ski areas and British tour operators will be hoping that British skiers and boarders will have confidence to travel to France during the busy February school holidays period and back March and Easter trips later in the season.

The country is also host to the majority of big music festivals in March which plan to go ahead for the first time in three years this season.