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The conditions in Ischgl are appropriate for the start of the season, only tourists are hardly there
Photo: LEONHARD FOEGER / REUTERS
The former Corona hotspot Ischgl started the ski season in glorious sunshine and fresh snow. At the lifts in the Tyrolean village, however, there was hardly any operation, around 150 skiers climbed into the freshly disinfected cabins of the Silvrettaseilbahn in the first half hour in the morning - 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 due to the nationwide lockdown.
From Ischgl's après-ski scene, the coronavirus had spread across Austria's borders to many European countries at the beginning of 2020. In order not to become a Corona hotspot again, strict safety precautions have been taken: The lifts may only be used by vaccinated or convalescent people, 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 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.
In Germany, only the ski area on the Zugspitze was open so far.
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.
hba / dpa