Further Protective Measures For Safe Winter Fun In Gstaad
The Gstaad winter sports area consists of numerous slopes and lifts that are accessible via several entry portals. The individual facilities and ski mountains in the destination have always offered more space than elsewhere. In order for snow sports guests to continue enjoying relaxing winter experiences, Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) are introducing additional measures in addition to the pandemic regulations already in place by the authorities and the Gastro-Suisse industry protection concept: longer opening times, a user management system with limited day tickets and a new online Reservation systems for mountain restaurants ensure even more space and security in the entire ski area.
The snow sports area of Destination Gstaad already has many advantages in terms of complying with the COVID-19 protective measures of the authorities: Most gondolas and chairlifts allow less than ten people to travel. For example the new 10-person gondola lifts in the Saanersloch and Eggli ski areas. 70 percent of the gondola lifts, chairlifts or ski lifts from BDG have direct access to fresh air. Another major added value is the distribution of the slopes across many different entry portals in the region. In this way, larger gatherings at valley stations can be easily avoided and winter sports enthusiasts can spread out on numerous slopes in the ski area.
"In Gstaad, safety for guests and employees is a high priority. We do everything we can to ensure that visitors and locals can enjoy relaxing winter experiences without hesitation, ”explains Matthias In-Albon, Managing Director of BDG. "For this reason we are introducing further protective measures this winter season". Among other things, this involves a new user guidance system that is intended to prevent large accumulations on the slopes. Day tickets are limited to a contingent of around 5,000 per day. "The BDG is constantly analyzing capacities and has been considering allocating day tickets for a long time," explains In-Albon. "Our observations show that people only have to queue in front of the cable cars and ski lifts in our ski area with a capacity of around 5,000 daily guests per day". The contingent only applies to day tickets. Multi-day pass and season ticket holders have free access to the ski area at any time. In addition, the facilities open at 8 a.m. on weekends and in the high season for holders of tickets booked in advance. The new regulations serve to increase the safety standards in the ski area.
Tables in the restaurants of the mountain railways can now be reserved online - a great advantage in order to avoid queuing, crowds of people and unnecessary waiting times. In addition, the many neat refreshment stops, spread across the entire destination, ensure that guests feel comfortable - at a safe distance from large gatherings. It is mandatory to wear a mask in publicly accessible interiors of facilities and companies as well as in waiting or access areas of public transport. BDG implements this in all areas of its systems. You don't have to wear a mask to enjoy skiing on the slopes. Certified mouth and nose protective masks will be available from December 2020 at all valley stations at a price of CHF 9.90. The tube-like masks are reusable and have been specially developed for skiers.
It pays to book early - Gstaad offers planning security
Gstaad offers secure booking conditions for planning your winter stay - all mountain railways, ski schools and the majority of the hotels offer a return guarantee: services booked today will be refunded or credited in the event of an officially ordered lockdown in connection with COVID-19. "With the new security measures, compliance with the applicable regulations and our conditions for more planning security, we are doing everything we can to ensure that our guests can enjoy carefree winter fun in Gstaad," explains In-Albon about the outlook for the new season.
