Ruqayyah Snyder
As of 2020, Austria has been easing restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus. The country has lifted border restrictions for neighbouring countries, including Italy, and has removed the quarantine requirement for travellers from over 20 other European countries. However, Austria's ski resorts were only open to locals during the Christmas period in 2020, with foreign arrivals facing quarantine and reduced capacity on lifts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is tourism open in Austria? | As of 2020, Austria is open to tourists from Italy and over 20 other European countries. However, Austria's ski resorts are only open to locals. |
| Quarantine requirements | Foreign arrivals to Austria face a 10-day quarantine. |
| Capacity restrictions | Capacity on ski lifts is halved. |
| Safety measures | Safety measures include compulsory face coverings and social distancing. |
What You'll Learn
Austria's ski resorts open to locals only
Austrias's ski resorts open to locals only
Austria's ski resorts are open, but only to locals. Foreign arrivals will face quarantine, and capacity on lifts has been halved as Austria tightens restrictions on resorts. Restaurants, bars, and hotels will remain closed until at least January 7, 2021, meaning skiers cannot stay overnight in a resort unless they live locally or own a property.
Austria's ski resorts were given the go-ahead to reopen on Christmas Eve 2020, following a period of lockdown. The reopening was announced by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who said:
> For a large part of our population it will then be possible to go skiing at least for the day.
More than 35 ski resorts are open in Austria, including:
- Bergeralm – Steinach am Brenner
- KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg
- SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental
- Tauplitz – Bad Mitterndorf
- Gurgl – Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
- Ischgl/Samnaun – Silvretta Arena
- Kaltenbach – Hochzillertal/Hochfügen (SKi-optimal)
- Schlick 2000 – Fulpmes
- Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun
- St. Anton/St. Christoph/Stuben/Lech/Zürs/Warth/Schröcken – Ski Arlberg
- Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn (Skicircus)
- Schladming – Planai/Hochwurzen/Hauser Kaibling/Reiteralm (4-Berge-Skischaukel)
- Snow Space Salzburg – Flachau/Wagrain/St. Johann-Alpendorf
- Bad Gastein/Bad Hofgastein – Schlossalm/Angertal/Stubnerkogel
- Zauchensee/Flachauwinkl
- Stubai Glacier (Stubaier Gletscher)
- Hochzeiger – Jerzens
- Hinterstoder – Höss
- Hintertux Glacier (Hintertuxer Gletscher)
- Pitztal Glacier (Pitztaler Gletscher)
- Riesneralm – Donnersbachwald
- Christlum – Achenkirch
- Kaunertal Glacier (Kaunertaler Gletscher)
- Grebenzen – St. Lambrecht
- Gaaler Lifte – Gaal
Most Austrian ski resorts open in December, though some higher resorts open in November, depending on snow conditions. The season usually ends in late March or April, but higher resorts stay open later. Peak season runs from late December to early March, and February is particularly busy with locals and tourists.
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Foreign arrivals face quarantine
As of 3 December 2020, Austria has implemented strict measures for foreign visitors, including a quarantine period. This comes as the country opens its ski resorts on Christmas Eve, but only to locals.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced that ski lifts would be operational in time for Christmas, following their closure in early November. However, the reopening of ski resorts does not signal a full touristic reopening of the ski regions. Foreign arrivals will face a 10-day quarantine if they are coming from a country with a 14-day case rate of more than 100 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. This rule will be in place from 19 December 2020 until 10 January 2021.
The quarantine period can be shortened if individuals test negative after five days of isolation. This restriction effectively makes ski trips to Austria impossible for travellers from countries such as the UK, Italy, France, and Germany.
In addition to the quarantine requirement, Austria has implemented other safety measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. The maximum capacity in gondolas has been reduced to 50%, and face coverings and social distancing are mandatory. Restaurants, bars, and hotels will remain closed until 7 January 2021, further limiting the options for foreign visitors.
These restrictions highlight the challenges faced by countries in balancing public health concerns with economic considerations, particularly in the tourism industry. Austria's approach, allowing locals to enjoy the ski resorts while restricting foreign arrivals, has been chosen to address infection rates while also providing a boost to the local economy.
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Austria's border reopening with Italy
Austria's head of diplomacy, Alexander Schallenberg, responded to the criticism, noting that the decision to reopen borders with all neighbouring countries except Italy was due to the number of COVID-19 cases in Italy, which did not yet allow for the border to be reopened.
Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober did not rule out the possibility of the partial reopening of borders as of 15 June 2020, and on 9 June, it was announced that the border between the two countries would reopen on 16 June. This marked the return of complete freedom of movement at the Austrian-Italian border.
However, Italian travellers were still obliged to stay in 14 days of isolation, and the border reopening came with other restrictions. This was in stark contrast to travellers from 20 other European nations, who were allowed to enter Austria without any quarantine requirements.
The border reopening was an attempt to restore normalcy and ease restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus.
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Austria's ski resorts to open on Christmas Eve
Austrias's ski resorts to open on Christmas Eve
Austria's ski resorts will reopen on Christmas Eve, but only for locals as the country tightens restrictions on resorts. Foreign arrivals will face ten days of quarantine, and capacity on lifts will be halved.
The Situation in Austria
Austria's Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, confirmed the reopening of ski lifts just in time for Christmas, after they were forced to shut down in early November. The reopening of ski resorts coincides with the end of the country's national lockdown. From Monday, shops, museums, schools, and libraries will be allowed to reopen. Curfews will be in place between 8 pm and 6 am, and households will be allowed to meet up. Christmas markets, however, remain banned.
Rules for Ski Resorts
When the ski resorts reopen, the maximum capacity in gondolas will be reduced to 50%, and safety measures, including compulsory face coverings and social distancing, will be in place. Restaurants, bars, and hotels will remain closed until January 7, meaning skiers will not be able to stay overnight in a resort unless they live locally or own a property.
International Travel to Austria
Austria has introduced a new quarantine requirement for anyone arriving from a country with more than 100 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the previous two weeks. This covers most of Europe, including the UK, Italy, France, and Germany. This restriction will be in place from December 19 until January 10, effectively ruling out ski holidays in Austria for most foreigners.
The Future of Skiing in Austria
While the current restrictions will disappoint many international travellers hoping to ski in Austria this winter, the country's ski industry is optimistic about the future. The spring season is expected to attract British skiers, especially with the rollout of a vaccine in the UK. Dr Viktoria Veider-Walser, director of Kitzbühel Tourismus, highlighted the long ski season in Kitzbühel, which offers opportunities for a February half-term or Easter getaway. Martina Jamnig, UK director of the Austrian National Tourist, also expressed hope for a "strong and safe return" of British skiers and snowboarders to Austria in 2021.
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Switzerland's ski slopes remain open
Switzerland's ski slopes have remained open, despite pressure from other European countries to close its resorts due to high coronavirus case numbers. The Swiss government has allowed ski areas to open during the holidays, with strict measures in place to control the spread of the virus.
Switzerland's decision to keep its ski areas open goes against the wishes of its neighbouring countries, France, Germany, and Italy, which have called for a Europe-wide closure of ski resorts. Switzerland, however, has opted for a different strategy, focusing on extended compulsory masks, hygiene, and social distancing rules. The Swiss ski areas that have remained open include Verbier, Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Laax, Andermatt, and Engelberg-Titlis.
While Switzerland has kept its ski slopes open, it has also introduced stricter measures to control the spread of the virus. From December 9, 2020, the number of people allowed in shops and enclosed ski transport was reduced to two-thirds of the capacity. Contact tracing was also implemented in restaurants, and from December 12 to January 20, catering establishments, stores, and leisure and sports facilities were required to close by 7 pm and remain closed on Sundays.
The Swiss government's decision to keep ski resorts open was met with relief by the tourism industry, but the lack of foreign tourists was expected to impact the industry significantly. Switzerland's high coronavirus case numbers have also led to travel warnings from other countries, requiring returning citizens to quarantine. Despite these challenges, Switzerland's ski resorts remained open for domestic tourism, with permits from cantonal governments required from December 22, 2020.
In contrast, Austria, another popular destination for skiing, had closed its ski resorts to foreign visitors during the Christmas season. While ski lifts were operational, hotels and restaurants remained closed, making it challenging for foreign tourists to visit. Austria's restrictions highlighted the different approaches taken by European countries in managing the pandemic while trying to support their tourism industries.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes and no. Austria has lifted coronavirus-related border restrictions for most European countries, but tourists from countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases will have to quarantine.
As of 2020, tourists arriving from countries with a 14-day case rate of more than 100 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people will have to spend 10 days in quarantine.
Yes, but only to locals. Foreign arrivals will face quarantine and capacity on lifts is reduced. Restaurants, bars and hotels will also remain closed.
