In the middle of the lockdown, the lifts in the winter sports resort of Ischgl in Austria are open again. The rush of skiers was, however, limited. The season is also starting in Germany.
Ischgl – The Austrian winter sports community of Ischgl started the season on Friday in bright sunshine and fresh snow.
The lifts in the Tyrolean town, from whose après-ski scene the coronavirus had spread across Austria’s borders to many European countries at the beginning of 2020, were barely operating. Around 150 skiers climbed into the freshly disinfected cabins of the Silvrettaseilbahn in the morning for the first half hour – otherwise there were almost ten times as many on nice days, said Günther Zangerl, CEO of the Silvrettaseilbahn. There were many locals among the guests.
Hotels and restaurants are closed
After its inglorious debut in 2020 as a corona hotspot, Ischgl has taken strict security precautions. The lifts may only be used by vaccinated or convalescent persons, the evidence is checked twice. In addition, the community had already issued a ban on alcohol in public places before the lockdown. The place relies more on the experience of nature and the cross-border ski area with the Swiss Samnaun with 239 kilometers of slopes, it said.
In Germany, only the Zugspitze ski area was previously open. On Friday, skiing started in Oberstdorf im Allgäu and on the Feldberg in the Black Forest – on the Feldberg with the 2G rule. In Bavaria, on the other hand, at the Zugspitze and in Oberstdorf, 2G plus applies. Vaccinated or convalescent patients must also submit a negative test. In some places in neighboring Austria, lifts are already running, for example on the Stubai Glacier and in Kitzbühel.
In Ischgl, unlike in other Austrian areas, the lifts were completely idle last winter. Because different corona rules applied in Austria and Switzerland, skiers from Ischgl would have had to return to quarantine after a few swings in Swiss territory. dpa
