J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

SwingBeep wrote:Many of the provisions of the new decree have lots of potential for affecting the validity of ski insurance e.g. skiing under the influence, skiing off piste without a transceiver, probe and shovel and skiing a black piste without having a high level of physical and technical ability are all offences under the new decree. If you injure yourself or someone else whilst doing any of the above your insurance company might reject your claim.

That is very interesting, thanks SwingBeep. Not sure what to think really. I suppose on the one hand it gives insurance companies an excuse to reject more claims, on the other it puts the onus on the skier/boarder to behave responsibly? Making a judgement call on whether I still have the "physical and technical ability" to ski a particular black run as I get older could be quite a grey area. I'd set off thinking I was OK but then if I hurt myself on it maybe the insurance company would disagree with my thinking.

daved wrote:Just checked my policy (Nationwide Flex Plus ) and I have personal liability cover....whoopie!

Great! I've got the same policy so thanks for letting me know, I won't need to actually look at it now. Although I do need to book a trip to ski back in Italy again so that I can really enjoy knowing that I have that benefit...

A new law due to come into force on 1st January2022 requires all skiers and boarders to have insurance when they go on the country's slopes.

The law is particularly focussed on the need for a policy that covers your liability if you cause an injury to someone else, or someone else's property, on the slopes.

Known as decree 40 of 2021, it was actually passed last spring when Italian ski slopes were in lockdown, but only comes into force in the new year.

As part of the ruling, it is the responsibility off ski lift operators to ensure that a policy covering third party liability is available as an add on to the ski ticket price when a pass is purchased.

Anyone found not to have insurance on the slopes will be liable to a fine of €100 to €150 and the confiscation of their lift pass.

Many travel insurance policies do include third party liability, but it's important to check your policy covers accidents and injuries cause to others on the slopes.

Surveys have found that about a quarter of British skiers are currently believed to travel on a ski holiday each winter with inadequate travel insurance that does not cover winter sports, or don't have travel insurance at all.

Morzine's Bélvèdere chairlift has been upgraded from a fixed-grip quad to a detachable six-seater for the upcoming 21-22 season.

The new chairlift will also have a much greater uplift capacity of up to 2,800 people per hour when it re-opens next month.

Providing greater safety and comfort than its predecessor, the improved Bélvèdere will offer faster access to the beginner area, as well as to the more demanding pistes at Chamossière and the fun space at the Pointe de Nyon.

What's more, the departure station will have a grass covered roof, integrating it perfectly into the surrounding area.

Morzine is one of the larger resorts in the vast cross-border Portes du Soleil ski region, with its 600km of slopes spreading across the French-Swiss border. The village is also one of the most northerly of the French Alpine resorts making it one of the shortest drives from the Channel.

flat country skier wrote:We had an email from a hotel in Lech saying they're welcoming their guests after 12th December....when exactly is of course anyone's guess. I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed for the opening on the 13th for obvious reasons :)

Saw the SkiWelt say they'll open on the 11th as planned regardless - even with no restaurants/hotels open - your timing MIGHT be perfect! It's just gotta end of the 12th as per the plan...

The French government has published the rules for using ski lifts at resorts in the country this winter.
Last ski season the country's ski resorts could open to tourists, but lifts were not allowed to operate.

The key rules are:

• Masks must be worn by everyone from the age of 11 on all ski lifts except drag lifts/conveyors and in lift queues. Masks are also recommended for children aged 6 to 11 but not compulsory.
• Masks must normally be "surgical quality" (AFNOR SPEC S76-001 certification). Cloth masks and Buff style are NOT normally acceptable unless especially adapted to this surgical standard. However wearing a mask is not required when actually skiing or snowboarding.
• Social distancing and one-way systems must be respected, lift operators will make hand sanitizer available which should be used.
• The French Health Pass will be required to use the lifts and go on the slopes if case numbers in France exceed 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In that case The Health Pass will become compulsory from the age of 12, in addition to wearing a mask. If this happens the French government will announce the change on the Tuesday before it comes into force for the following Saturday. The Health Pass is equivalent to the NHS coronavirus passport. If cases do not go above 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants it will not be required to show the pass.

Several French resorts including Montgenevre, Tignes and Val Thorens have already opened for the 21-22 season with the rest planning to open over the next four weekends.

Chamonix, Les 2 Alpes and Val d'Isere are among areas expected to open for their 21-22 ski seasons this coming weekend.

In the fast-moving world of Austria's 20 day lockdown, which officially began on Monday, ski areas that thought they'd be closed, don't actually have to. But hotels, restaurants, tourism and hospitality do.

In short, we have not returned to the "ski lifts must close full lockdown" of Autumn 2020 but to the January - late April Austrian lockdown model where ski lifts could open if they wanted to for local people to have the slopes to themselves, but tourism is not permitted an hotels are closed.

As a result about half of the dozen or so Austrian ski areas that had already opened for the season are still open, the Stubai closed on Monday but has re-opened, to locals, today.

This was similar to the situation after lifts were allowed to reopen in January with some areas opening limited terrain for locals, others saying they could not cover operating costs from the limited revenue and staying closed.

Staying open now however will put resorts in a better position assuming the lockdown does end on the 12th.

Austria's 20 day lockdown is due to be reviewed after 10 days, in the middle of next week and to run to 12th December at the latest.

Weekend infection levels have stayed fairly static around the 1,500 per 100,000 mark so much will depend on whether these start to drop fast with the lockdown.

flat country skier wrote:Well looks like my much anticipated ski trip to Lech starting on 13/12 will be postponed now :( Unless they lift the restrictions on the 12/12 :)
The whole situation is like mountain weather: unpredictable

Very sorry to hear that. I'm noticing Many Austrian resorts are saying "we will open on the 13th!" but I suppose that can only be optimism at the moment. As I understand it they are to review the position around the 2nd of December and will end the lock down early if things are moving in the right direction (enough) so as usual lots of ifs and buts...