[ad_1]
The snow still determines whether the ski lifts are working or not. From Davos (GR) via Pizol (SG), Hoch-Ybrig (SZ) to Meiringen-Hasliberg (BE), skiers and snowboarders are welcome. There are differences in gastronomy. In the canton of Graubünden, restaurants are closed at least until December 22. Hot dogs and French fries are available in many pickles to go.
Individual areas restrict access to the slopes. Only season ticket holders are welcome at Hoch-Ybrig until Friday. Two-day tickets can be purchased starting on Saturday. Day visitors are also welcome on Mondays. Behind the scenes, a mountain rail operator from another area suggests such restrictions are primarily marketing because there are hardly any daytime visitors at the start of the season anyway.
Airolo took a path similar to that of Hoch-Ybrig. The ski area in the Canton of Ticino was initially only opened to regular guests, but has now also welcomed day visitors. In the mountain restaurant, they want to work with reservations through the application in the future.
Winter destinations must have a cantonal permit as of December 22. Whether this will be awarded is open. The signs of the cantons are different. Graubünden’s economic director Marcus Caduff (CVP) defended outdoor ski areas on Wednesday in reference to the economic importance of winter tourism.
Zurich and St. Gallen want to stop elevators across Switzerland
It sounds completely different in St. Gallen. There they want to decide on Saturday about an opening from December 22. Prime Minister Bruno Damann (CVP) let it be known at a press conference Tuesday that the areas “are not likely” to remain open. The reason for this is the high number of infections and the use of hospitals. Damann also indicated that he would welcome a closure throughout Switzerland. Its canton has large ski areas with Flumserberge, Pizol and Wildhaus-Gamserrugg.
The canton of Zurich joined the call for the closure of ski areas on Wednesday. In a communication, the governing council writes:
Valais State Councilor Christophe Darbellay has little sympathy for such demands to close restaurants and ski areas across Switzerland. He says:
The Valais took strict measures in November to control the health situation, while in Zurich, for example, life remained largely unchanged, says the director of economics. “Now we are waiting to see what the Federal Council will decide on Friday. But from now on we will keep our ski areas open and also those that have not yet started operating ”, he says. The canton will issue the corresponding permits. “We received the green light for this on Tuesday from the canton’s health workers,” he emphasizes.
According to a press release from the canton on Wednesday, 51 Valais mountain railways have submitted an application, 48 have received approval. Three mountain railways need to be upgraded. In addition, the canton has made it clear that the permits will be revoked by the State Council if the limit of 260 new infections by Covid 19 is exceeded on average during the last seven days.
Cable car lobbyist Hans Wicki is against a Swiss-wide solution
Hans Wicki (FDP), State Councilor for the canton of Nidwalden and President of Seilbahnen Schweiz also opposes federal intervention in the ski dispute: “The cantons have the data to decide whether ski areas or restaurants should be closed. The situation in hospitals is decisive. But there is certainly no need for a solution at the Swiss level that falls to the Federal Council. “
Wicki is convinced that each cantonal government will assume its responsibility and take measures to reduce the number of cases when the situation in hospitals is really so dramatic. “When hospitals are full, no government makes financial considerations,” says Wicki.
Restaurants must also stay open
For Christophe Darbellay it is also essential that restaurants can also be open. “Without gastronomy, it is difficult for the operator to generate enough income,” he says. Also, if restaurants are closed, ski guests would have to eat somewhere. In good weather this is less of a problem. “But when it’s cold or bad weather, people flock to the mountain railways and in the picnic areas. “It makes more sense to have the restaurants open, of course with strict protection concepts.” These are available and proven.
Restaurants should also be able to serve guests until 11 pm, Darbellay demands. “The evening is important for the gastronomy of the towns below.” Restaurants in Valais currently close at 10 pm “At least you can dine that way,” says Darbellay.
The hospital directors’ warning
More recently, the three Zurich hospital directors Gregor Zünd (Zurich University Hospital), André Zemp (Zurich City Hospitals) and Rolf Zehnder (Winterthur Cantonal Hospital) urgently advised against skiing. There is a risk of infection.
The general director of Valais hospitals, Eric Bonvin, warned according to the “Tages-Anzeiger” that tourists would pose an additional burden on the health system in the coming months.
