Salzburg Ski Areas - “Well Prepared For The Winter”

After a “slimmed-down” season start in the first week of December, Salzburg's ski areas are now putting the majority of their facilities into operation. The essentials for a successful winter season are open hotels and restaurants as well as extensive freedom of travel.

“We have done our homework and are happy that mountain gastronomy is finally able to open up again. Thanks to the abundant snowfall and the low temperatures, the slopes are optimally groomed. The tried and tested safety precautions that did not allow any clusters or infections in the previous year apply in the ski areas. Now it is important that there is long-term planning security in order not to lose more guests abroad, ”emphasizes Dr. Erich Egger, spokesman for the Salzburg cable car industry and board member of Schmittenhöhebahn AG in Zell am See. As reported, South Tyrol opened its entire range of winter tourism weeks ago and attracted many winter guests. In Switzerland, the hotel industry was always open during the entire Corona period. “I appeal to everyone - entrepreneurs and guests alike - to do everything possible so that we do not have to be locked up again in the New Year. There must be no control with a wink! ”, Egger continues.

Veronika Scheffer from the Zauchensee Bergbahnen has a similar opinion: “The mood is good and the cancellations in the hotels have also been limited. We are now starting the season with optimism and are certain that we will not allow any infections in or around our facilities, as we did in summer - Above all due to the extensive safety precautions of the cable cars and tourism companies. In order to get through the winter or the pandemic even better, Scheffer asks all people who have not yet been vaccinated to have the corona vaccination. "It is our way out of the pandemic and there is no alternative to positive cooperation."

According to the current legal regulations, access to the ski areas is only permitted for people with a 2-G certificate. There is currently no obligation to provide evidence of Covid for children up to the age of twelve. From the age of twelve, the 2-G rule applies, although this can also be replaced by the “Ninja Pass”, which is issued at Austrian schools for children and adolescents up to grade 9. During school holidays, school-age children can replace the “Ninja Pass” with a PCR test. Compliance with the 2-G rule in the ski area is controlled by further developed access systems.

Use online ticketing

In order to minimize waiting times at the cash registers, online ticketing for skiers has been expanded in many ski areas. For those who already have a keycard, this is the easiest way to get their ski ticket. The 2-G proof to be provided can also be provided online. "With online ticketing, accumulations at the mountain railway ticket offices can be avoided and everything can be straightened out," explains Wolfgang Hettegger, CEO of Snow Space Salzburg. Anyone who does not yet have a keycard can still use the online shop and pick up the keycard at the pick-up machine.

In closed rooms as well as in the gondolas, FFP2 masks are mandatory. Children from the age of six to the age of 14 may wear close-fitting mouth and nose protection, children under six are exempt from the requirement to wear a mask. Unlike in the previous winter season, the mountain gastronomy is open again - the 2-G rule also applies here according to the current legal provisions.

The Snow Space Salzburg (Alpendorf, Wagrain, Flachau, Flachauwinkl, Zauchensee) opens its doors on December 16 and starts the ski season. The proven Covid-19 security concept is also continued here in order to offer the best possible protection against infection. Among other things, the mountain railways produced their own video with Hermann Maier to educate ski guests about preventive measures. “The start of ski operations will be accompanied by a tried and tested safety concept that implements all legal provisions in the best possible way and also provides sensible measures. Our concept was very well received by our visitors last season, ”explains Hettegger. Not a single infection was reported in the ski area last winter.