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Mandatory FFP2 masks on ski lifts provide resistance. In Tyrol, the ski areas announce how many ski lifts will open.
Vienna Ski resorts are allowed to open, but many details are not yet clear, or are considered to be bad: in any case, there is some resistance among tourism professionals and cable car operators to the requirement of the FFP2 mask when wearing ascent aids, that is, elevators. After all, it is argued that there is no other mode of transport in which this category of protective mask is mandatory. “That’s very difficult to understand,” criticized Erich Egger, a spokesman for the Salzburg cable car industry, in a report by ORF Salzburg. “If a guest wearing a normal surgical mask comes to the tourniquet, then we would have to stop him. Then you have to see if you can get an FFP2 mask somewhere, ”said the industry representative. In the train, subway, plane and the like, normal masks are enough to be transported; in cabins, gondolas and in the drag lift, like when you stand in line there, but no. Egger complains that the additional effort and costs for the cable car and elevator operators are too high. “Those are obstacles that we have to overcome in a very short time. Some are not in a position to do it that way. The issue is also the use of masks. Tourism Minister Köstinger told a press conference on Saturday that an agreement with the Health Ministry was still needed. Because wet FF2 masks can do more harm than good.
Starts December 24
In the large Tyrolean ski areas, the start of the season on December 24 is from cautious to confident. The operators mainly expect local guests. At the Zillertal Arena, according to the marketing department, you see yourself responsible for ensuring that the Tyrolese can “practice their national sport.” The feeling of obligation towards the locals could also be heard from other ski resorts.
Expectations in crown-torn Ischgl remained extremely cautious. Only a handful of ski facilities will open, said Günther Zangerl, CEO of Silvrettaseilbahn AG, in an interview with APA. The amount that will really be depends mainly on the measures in Switzerland and will be decided in the coming days. Part of the Ischgl-Samnaun ski area extends to Switzerland. The cantons are already closing their ski areas there, the number of infections is too high. In Samnaun, which belongs to the canton of Graubünden, the elevators are still open. So between 500 and 600 people come to ski every day, that is, half less than in other years. Graubünden is still discussing whether Life will remain open.
Zangerl is convinced that there will be a good deal for day visitors and locals traveling to the Paznaun Valley, with the Ischgl, Galtür and Kappl ski areas. Especially since the waiting times in the gondolas will be almost nil. But it could be that when the weather is nice, many people wait at the feeder railways. To do this, among other things, a camera system has been configured that supposedly measures distances between winter sports enthusiasts and can react with announcements over loudspeakers. If necessary, security personnel can also point out the current crown rules. The full start of the winter season in Ischgl was initially set for January 7, provided the catering and hospitality industry is allowed to open.
25 facilities and 100 of a total of 147 kilometers of slopes will be available to winter sports enthusiasts at the Zillertal Arena from December 24. In Kitzbühel and Kirchberg, 40 of the 57 elevators are open. Also, there will be no price increases there during the high season, according to Kitzbüheler Bergbahnen AG. The reduced day ticket for adults costs 44.50 euros, children pay 20 euros. The time after Christmas also serves as a “test phase” for hygiene and safety concepts that go beyond legal requirements.
Not all ski areas will be available in Ötztal Tyrol. The facilities in Sölden, Hochoetz and Gries open on December 24, Gurgl, Vent and Niederthai only open on January 7. Almost all the ski lifts will work in Hochoetz, but the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach ski areas in Sölden will remain closed. (APA, red.)
(“Die Presse”, print edition, December 21, 2020)
