Bingo.My biggest concern for an OS trip is not being able to board a return trip home when required due to testing +ve to Covid.
Bingo.My biggest concern for an OS trip is not being able to board a return trip home when required due to testing +ve to Covid.
I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this if we could get a booster before going as a defense to infection. Wife was PF'ed in May and I got my second AZ in August.Bingo.
That makes sense for me since I've been paying attention to Australia, New Zealand, and Europe a lot more than most Americans.This is an important factor for aussies and probably many other internationals. My biggest concern for an OS trip is not being able to board a return trip home when required due to testing +ve to Covid.
Minimising the chance of catching Covid while away is a big deal (aside from avoiding illness). I see Whistler (Canada) is lobbying to be 100% vaccinated for staff and visitors. This would be very comforting to internationals to avoid a significant drama at the end of their holiday
While a booster can't hurt, having a good selection of cloth masks to use indoors and outdoors where there are many people should be high on the packing list.I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this if we could get a booster before going as a defense to infection. Wife was PF'ed in May and I got my second AZ in August.
While I don't want to get Covid, as a vaccinated person, the thought of getting it from a sickness perspective would not make me wear masks everywhere. However, the inconvenience of not being able to get a flight home when you are scheduled to do so means that I will take every precaution to avoid catching Covid.While a booster can't hurt, having a good selection of cloth masks to use indoors and outdoors where there are many people should be high on the packing list.
The behavioral change that started in 2020 is that if someone is wearing a mask of any kind, other people tend to keep their distance more. That's still happening in 2021. Doesn't matter if a county is high vax or low vax. At least that's my observation from being in gas station convenience stores and supermarkets while out-of-state in the last few months.
Breakthrough cases happen with enough exposure. Unlikely to require an ER visit, but cannot depend on vaccination for prevention.
Makes sense to me to travel to Europe instead of the USA in 2022 when the long flight times are the same order of magnitude for either continent.I will be doing anything I can to prevent this circumstance eventuating which means wearing masks, getting a booster for travel (if qualifying) and also selecting the ski destination based on its vaccination rules and/or rates. At the moment, this also means that the US is probably at the bottom of the options. The European countries have higher vaccination rates and in the case of Italy and France, have mandated vaccination for many jobs facing customers and I feel this reduces the chance of not being able to board a return flight.
This is an important factor for aussies and probably many other internationals. My biggest concern for an OS trip is not being able to board a return trip home when required due to testing +ve to Covid.
Minimising the chance of catching Covid while away is a big deal (aside from avoiding illness). I see Whistler (Canada) is lobbying to be 100% vaccinated for staff and visitors. This would be very comforting to internationals to avoid a significant drama at the end of their holiday
Bingo.
I arrived in Texas again last night from Japan. It's the 4th time in the last year.While I don't want to get Covid, as a vaccinated person, the thought of getting it from a sickness perspective would not make me wear masks everywhere. However, the inconvenience of not being able to get a flight home when you are scheduled to do so means that I will take every precaution to avoid catching Covid.
Much of this is under our control by the use of masks. However, there will be unavoidable situations where you are very exposed to what others are doing. Example, on a crowded gondola, in a restaurant eating where the server is not vaccinated, etc. It's easy to sound like I am overly fixated on this but not being able to catch your scheduled flight home in my world (and I expect for most International travelers) is a major deal. The reality is one will have used up or overextended both their annual leave and the available holiday funds by the end of the trip and need to get home. Staying an extra 7 to 10 days is expensive and probably not great fun while being fixated on when the Covid leaves you and when you can get a flight.
I will be doing anything I can to prevent this circumstance eventuating which means wearing masks, getting a booster for travel (if qualifying) and also selecting the ski destination based on its vaccination rules and/or rates. At the moment, this also means that the US is probably at the bottom of the options. The European countries have higher vaccination rates and in the case of Italy and France, have mandated vaccination for many jobs facing customers and I feel this reduces the chance of not being able to board a return flight.
I flew via SLC, and the valleys around SLC are still bone dry desert, no green to speak of and no snow. Mountains have snow on them just a few hundred metres above the valley though.It's certainly been a snowy month in Utah. The snow is isolated to the the upper canyons and the valleys are still green. Snow at the moment is rounding and stable. If we don't go into a 1.5 month dry spell like last year it should be a good winter for avalanche hazard. Not much forecast for the next week but things change.
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I flew via SLC, and the valleys around SLC are still bone dry desert, no green to speak of and no snow. Mountains have snow on them just a few hundred metres above the valley though.
I did, but I didn't know that CVS required you to make an appointment in the CVS "Minute Clinic" to sign any documents. Japan requires a SPECIFIC form filled in and certified, which is an extra service in the US.Depends on your definition of greenFYI, 'skiable' snow level is a long way up canyon (8000 feet in LCC and 8500 feet in SLC/Park City.
I flew to Sydney back in June and got covid tested (twice actually, because I was concerned about turn-around time around a public holiday); both were free in Utah and came as letters saying not-detected.
The test I did in NZ to fly back to the USA was paid (and expensive!).
Maybe you should look at getting a free test from the hospital and/or a pharmacy.
Yep, unless you are happy to expose yourself completely to a "come what may" mindset, it would be silly not to take rapid antigen tests before getting an official test on the way home, regardless of where you visit. My point is that if you look at Vax rates and policies, you have a higher chance of getting Covid in the US than in Europe and Italy and France in particular have very high vax rates.I arrived in Texas again last night from Japan. It's the 4th time in the last year.
I always get a sense of trepidation about testing positive just before a flight.... Not so much about getting sick since May when I was vaccinated in the US, but just the crazy plan B gymnastics that would be needed to change flights, insurance issues and retesting.
Always best to have a plan B.
So I have two home rapid antigen test kits with me, to test a couple of dyas before my "official test" to make sure I don't waste money on the paid COVID travel test(~$160 USD) if I'm going to test positive anyway. And plus, after testing positive, its easier to keep testing until you test negative on the home rapid antigen test, before testing for the official test.
PB and I are in the exact same Position - I’ll get my booster in a couple of weeks but I’ll be asking my GP whether he can get his early so we are both boosted before we go.I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this if we could get a booster before going as a defense to infection. Wife was PF'ed in May and I got my second AZ in August.
It's not nice to brag.PB and I are in the exact same Position - I’ll get my booster in a couple of weeks but I’ll be asking my GP whether he can get his early so we are both boosted before we go.
Speaking of “going”.
Booked.
Telluride.
W00t!!!
When? My primary ski buddies will be there in the second half of March.Speaking of “going”.
Booked.
Telluride.
W00t!!!
I’ve actually been keeping it on the down low a bit only telling close friends/family as we see them if it comes up in conversation. Travelling, especially for pleasure elicits some interesting responses from people in this new world.It's not nice to brag.![]()
But I sure would be.
We will be there then!When? My primary ski buddies will be there in the second half of March.
What insurance are you buying?PB and I are in the exact same Position - I’ll get my booster in a couple of weeks but I’ll be asking my GP whether he can get his early so we are both boosted before we go.
Speaking of “going”.
Booked.
Telluride.
W00t!!!
I haven’t pulled the trigger just yet ( only got the last bookings of everything confirmed yesterday) but I am seriously considering going with the option @Sandy suggested (Seven Corners). My only concern with that is whether I can extend it to cover Japan if we suddenly detour via Hokkaido on the way back to Aus.What insurance are you buying?
This. Go south or north, not both.For your itinerary, I think that going to CB then back up to Jackson is a stretch. Why don’t you stay up in the north if you’re going to Jackson and go to grand targhee (not too far away) sun valley, Idaho or Big sky, Mt instead?
Or if you’re going south, head to Moab for a bit of non-ski time then onto telluride, silverton (guided skiing in January, you’ll need to reserve) and crested butte.
This. Go south or north, not both.
I've done plenty of miles up down and down the rockies too. You won't regret sticking north or south but I still regret a run we did several years ago, south to north and back.This. Go south or north, not both.
Thanks for the info.We are skiing that presidents week at Park City in Utah. Do you think it will be necessary to precook lift tickets there? I don’t want to risk getting there and not being able to ski but are hesitant to buy epic 4 day pass now then find we cannot get over there ? Any comments or experiences appreciated!Anyone planning to ski in the USA in Feb-Mar may want to stay aware of school holidays for 2022.
Looking at the dates that Epic resorts will be limiting the sale of day tickets, I realized that in February that holiday period covers two weekends and the entire week of Presidents' Day, Feb. 21. In New England and New York that entire week is a "mid-winter recess" for public schools and probably some private schools too. That means not only will families be skiing locally, some will be flying to Epic resorts. Presumably those are mostly the people who took advantage of the 20% decrease in the price of Epic passes for 2021-22 compared to the previous season.
Students in Chicago don't get a mid-winter break. Only Feb. 21 is a public school holiday. Spring break is in April 2021 because that's closer to Easter.
Texas seems to have Feb. 14-18 off, but Texans usually take their ski vacations in March during spring break. At least that's the way it is for Taos. Maybe it's too cold for them in February.
In general, spring breaks are scattered in March and April so most destination resorts don't have a particular week that is overrun like during Christmas week. American colleges tend to stick to a set schedule that doesn't change based on Easter. K-12 public schools vary in terms of whether or not Easter is a factor when planning the school year calendar.
You'll have a great time at any one of the numerous big hills - they're all great. You'll be blown away.I’m planning to go USA for snowboarding this year any tips gonna be my first time snowboarding internationally I’m a advanced snowboarder and have been snowboarding since I was 4 years old what are the best resorts in the US
Sbooker...You'll have a great time at any one of the numerous big hills - they're all great. You'll be blown away. The decision on where to go has little to do with the actual time on snow. Logistics is the big concern. Travel, cost of lodging and lift tickets etc.I’m planning to go USA for snowboarding this year any tips gonna be my first time snowboarding internationally I’m a advanced snowboarder and have been snowboarding since I was 4 years old what are the best resorts in the US
We are skiing Park City for Xmas. The risk is snow at the moment more than anything elseThanks for the info.We are skiing that presidents week at Park City in Utah. Do you think it will be necessary to precook lift tickets there? I don’t want to risk getting there and not being able to ski but are hesitant to buy epic 4 day pass now then find we cannot get over there ? Any comments or experiences appreciated!
Yes, there is a risk of not getting tickets at Park City Mountain Resort if you walk up to the window Feb. 18-27 (the period that they are limiting pass sales). You could always go ski at Deer Valley (* Note: they limit pass sales every day) or go around to Sundance, Solitude, Brighton, Alta or Snowbird - all a 45min-1hr drive). No one knows in actual fact what the number of ticket sales will be limited to and if it will hit that number. This is the first time Vail has limited ticket sales during holiday periods at Park City.Thanks for the info.We are skiing that presidents week at Park City in Utah. Do you think it will be necessary to precook lift tickets there? I don’t want to risk getting there and not being able to ski but are hesitant to buy epic 4 day pass now then find we cannot get over there ? Any comments or experiences appreciated!
You need to double-check that the Epic Day Pass doesn't require any sort of lift access reservation. If you're willing to deal with Facebook, I suppose you could ask on the Park City FB Page and see what happens. Or figure out a way to to Chat from the Park City webpage.Thanks for the info.We are skiing that presidents week at Park City in Utah. Do you think it will be necessary to precook lift tickets there? I don’t want to risk getting there and not being able to ski but are hesitant to buy epic 4 day pass now then find we cannot get over there ? Any comments or experiences appreciated!
*unless US Epic PassThere’s no reservations. But you can’t use epic day passes during holiday periods unless you pay the extra sum for the “choose holidays” option when you buy the passes.
There’s no reservations on US Epic Passes for season 2021/22…*unless US Epic Pass
Sorry, correct.There’s no reservations on US Epic Passes for season 2021/22…
Yes, bought the epic day pass, saved around 50% so thought it was worth while! This trip has evolved since first booked. Originally were to ski Whistler over the weekend,then onto salt lake to see friends who live with beaver mountain then NYC to see my son then back to salt Lake for Park city Presidents week, now doing all our skiing before Preidents week in Salt Lake City area ( ditched Whistler) and Beaver Mountain then onto NY Presidents week holidays.We are skiing Park City for Xmas. The risk is snow at the moment more than anything else
I've been told that accommodation bookings are strong but i doubt you'll have any trouble given the huge amount of services in the area. I would buy the EPIC pass - are you worried of the COVID travel risk or something else?