jamesdeluxe
Administrator
Not what I need to hear but I can't really blame them:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... tness-yet/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... tness-yet/
The places in the Alps that I frequent usually don't have extensive gondolas or trams. Usually the only enclosed lifts are the gondolas to get me out of the base area and up to the skiable terrain, and I rarely share them with anyone. The main concern is being allowed to visit Europe period. One hopes that a presidential change with the attendant less bonkers leadership would make Euros more amenable to allowing Americans back onto the continent.Tony Crocker":zp6w9w4h said:The Alps have a higher dependence upon enclosed and crowded gondolas and trams than North America, which may make reopening ski areas more of a challenge than here.
If I can't visit the Alps, those interior northwest and/or New Mexico ski areas on the Loveland pass would be fine with me. That said; I have no idea how things will look in ski season with my job vis-à-vis long-distance travel and whether I'll be working out of Denver every month so I'm not ready to buy a pass at this point. Luckily, they've pushed back the purchase deadline to December 1.Tony Crocker":zp6w9w4h said:I'd recommend James target Montana/interior Northwest for a 2020 destination trip for maximum ski quality and minimum likely rationing restrictions. His Loveland Pass includes 3 days each at Whitefish, Schweitzer, Silver Mt., Brundage and Bogus Basin. On the way to/from Colorado it includes Powder Mt., Red Lodge and Bridger. If the Canadian border is open it includes Whitewater and Castle Mt.
That was my main point, and is the scenario where I usually see the most congestion in the Alps. If lower terrain is unskiable, downloading at the end of the day is even worse.jamesdeluxe":3bbr2hsm said:Usually the only enclosed lifts are the gondolas to get me out of the base area and up to the skiable terrain
I agree there is a political element. Florida quarantined NYC metro visitors during the March/April spike period. It's not an accident that the Northeast states are quarantining Florida and other Sunbelt state visitors now. In retrospect it's clear that the NYC metro spike would have been far less severe if Euro quarantining had been implemented earlier. If James is betting that Euro travel resumes on Inauguration Day 2021, that leaves plenty of ski season!The main concern is being allowed to visit Europe period. One hopes that a presidential change with the attendant less bonkers leadership would make Euros more amenable to allowing Americans back onto the continent.
Tony Crocker":39n6qe1r said:That was my main point, and is the scenario where I usually see the most congestion in the Alps. If lower terrain is unskiable, downloading at the end of the day is even worse.jamesdeluxe":39n6qe1r said:Usually the only enclosed lifts are the gondolas to get me out of the base area and up to the skiable terrain
I agree there is a political element. Florida quarantined NYC metro visitors during the March/April spike period. It's not an accident that the Northeast states are quarantining Florida and other Sunbelt state visitors now. In retrospect it's clear that the NYC metro spike would have been far less severe if Euro quarantining had been implemented earlier. If James is betting that Euro travel resumes on Inauguration Day 2021, that leaves plenty of ski season!The main concern is being allowed to visit Europe period. One hopes that a presidential change with the attendant less bonkers leadership would make Euros more amenable to allowing Americans back onto the continent.
Mustang has informed us that everyone will be tested next season before being permitted to board the heli or snowcat to the lodge. Social distancing is impossible in the remote cat/heli environment. One could make the same argument about flying in a full plane. If widespread fast testing becomes available, I'd guess the airlines would be among the first to implement it.
Yes it does, but I see air travel severely crippled until we reach that point, or a vaccine.berkshireskier":2jhlhav3 said:That assumes a high degree of accuracy with any test??
Do you have more recent or detailed info than me? The email I received from Mustang said "We are also working hard on procuring adequate COVID-19 test kits for the coming winter. Because a remote backcountry lodge is an insular environment, we are an industry where pre-trip testing will be very applicable. Our hope this winter is to be able to test all guests and staff prior to them entering the lodge. We will keep you updated on this subject over the next few months."Tony Crocker":14zss7xh said:Mustang has informed us that everyone will be tested next season before being permitted to board the heli or snowcat to the lodge. Social distancing is impossible in the remote cat/heli environment. One could make the same argument about flying in a full plane. If widespread fast testing becomes available, I'd guess the airlines would be among the first to implement it.
Tony Crocker":2d7qes6l said:Obergurgl and Solden have glaciers so not unreasonable in March. Kitzbuhel and Saalbach are way past their prime and can even be losing snow cover if they didn't build a big base earlier. If you want another place in Austria in March, Ischgl would be the best option.
Chris,
Are there any lingering aftereffects from the COVID-19 you caught in Europe last March?
The Cinque Torii/Falzarego sector we skied on the World War I tour is nominally part of Cortina and I think there is a lift connection proposed though connection now is by bus both ways. The connection from Falzarego to Alta Badia/Sella Ronda is tenuous, a long 3,000+ vertical piste plus the horselift in one direction but a bus ride in the opposite.ChrisC":2imaw82d said:Would like to wait to some Cortina infrastructure is built out for the Olympics.
Here's a picture of that from Colfosco on our Sella Ronda day.ChrisC":2imaw82d said:But I think we can do this in Selva area:
The Vallee Blanche of Dolomites .... trekking on top for 45 min to north side.... we could do this one run alone. Val di Mezdi
I unfortunately agree and am moving closer to buying a Loveland season pass.ChrisC":ogv4w4x8 said:I am turning pessimistic that Americans will be skiing in the Alps this winter.
jamesdeluxe":8tpg94r5 said:I unfortunately agree and am moving closer to buying a Loveland season pass.ChrisC":8tpg94r5 said:I am turning pessimistic that Americans will be skiing in the Alps this winter.