Pros and cons of the Swiss ski areas opened in the Crown winter

“If we don’t stop skiing now, Ischgl will be in Switzerland this year”

Several European countries want to close ski areas this winter because of the Crown: Swiss politicians warn of “irreparable” damage. Opinions on the subject are different. A pros and cons.

Etienne Wuillemin, Pascal Ritter / ch media

According to Federal Councilor Alain Berset, the Swiss ski season has already started. Clear and valid protection concepts and rigorous implementation are therefore required. According to the Federal Council, Switzerland wants to keep its ski areas open for winter sports during the Crown winter.

This sounds like a blessing to some, while others shake their heads in resignation. We weigh the pros and cons of this decision and want to know what you think of the open ski slopes in Switzerland.

Click here for the current Corona ticker.

Closing against

Our psyche needs bright spots. And anyway: Corona doesn’t like fresh air!

There are idiots everywhere. Even in the ski areas. Overcrowded gondolas here, no distance when queuing there. Yes, the early season photos were terrible. And since we have long known how terribly bad Switzerland is with personal responsibility, the idea is obvious: close the ski areas, now!

The thought is as wrong as it is fatal. The days shorten and become colder and gloomy. And doing without the Christmas markets, mulled wine and candles is bad enough. No one talks about a wonderful slowdown anymore, even Christmas stress seems like a blessing now that it’s missing. We all need bright spots. We need days in the sun. We need fresh air. And places where the soul can fill with energy and joy. Our psyche needs mountains. Our children snow so they can continue to voluntarily put away their Playstation, X-Box and Nintendo Switch.

No, this winter will not be normal. It takes strict rules. Après-ski must be strictly prohibited. Movement in restaurants must be reduced to going to the bathroom. A mask requirement is obviously a requirement. But everything must be done to allow access to the fresh air. Hiking and skiing contribute to Swiss public health. Much more than any other measure. And if we’ve learned anything over the past eight cruel months, that’s it: Corona doesn’t like fresh air.

Of course, an inexpensive idea also plays a role in the desire for freedom of fresh air. And it’s like everywhere: In the end, the little ones pay. If there is indeed a closure, the big ski areas will survive somehow. But what about the little ones? With the great nooks and crannies of our country? The wonderful Wildhaus, Sörenberg, Goms or Brigels? So where distance rules are almost never necessary anyway. These areas would be in grave danger. It would be a pity.

(Etienne Wuillemin, CH-Media)

For closure

If we don’t do without skiing now, Ischgl will be in Switzerland this year

Italians and Germans want the ski resorts to remain closed until January 10 to stem the spread of the epidemic. They ask for solidarity across Europe so that there is no crown tourism. Austria wants the railways to work.

Only for Switzerland it is already clear that the ski areas will be opened in advance. The ski lifts run to Saas-Fee and Zermatt. “Switzerland is skiing”, “Seilbahnen Schweiz” cheers on its website and promises to do everything possible to ensure that customers are “well protected in the snow”. However, they don’t want to reduce the number of people huddling in a gondola. Especially the masks should solve it.

This is not just a lack of solidarity, it is naive and dangerous. The biggest mistake is identifying lift and train travel, which Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz also tries to do. A mask in the gondola provides similar protection as in the train compartment, but commuters don’t all go to the same bar afterwards.

Ski areas are closed universes with a limited number of restaurants and bars to eat and warm up. It is no coincidence that the Ischgl ski area was the worst epidemic in Europe last winter. What is less known: Corona was also in the ski area in Switzerland.

On a sunny day, the risk of getting the infection in the ski area can be low. So everyone can sit on the terrace for lunch. But as the weather changes, it becomes precarious. Nobody wants to be out in the cold and snow. The rush in restaurants, bars or even in common rooms is inevitable. No matter how many Plexiglas walls restaurant managers can mount, there remains a residual risk. There will be contagion. There are also difficult situations during the arrival and departure. Anyone who has ever wanted to take the train to Valais on a beautiful winter weekend knows this.

This is why we must show solidarity with Germany and Italy and keep the ski areas closed until January, when it is hoped that the number of infections has decreased. Rail and restaurant operators should be compensated for bankruptcy.

If Switzerland breaks away and also attracts international tourists, the next Ischgl will be in Switzerland. But if we do without it now, the sporting holiday will be even more enjoyable.

(Pascal Ritter, CH-Media)