The ski season will start on 19 September 2020 on the Pitztal glacier ski area in the Tyrol. In preparation for the ski opening, the lift company and tourist office have announced the precautions they will be taking against the corona virus during the autumn and winter seasons.
“We expect our guests to wear mouth and nose protection at the lift ticket office, when queuing at the cable car facilities, in the ski bus, in the Glacier Express, in the gondolas and in the entire restaurant area,” explains Franz Wackernell, managing director of the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn.
Multi-functional Buff scarves or disposable masks can be purchased at the lift ticket offices and restaurants. “Naturally we will remind our guests of the rules, but personal responsibility from all the people on the mountain is the most important factor.”
A visitor guidance system in the queuing areas is intended to avoid groups standing too close together. There will be no major events on the glacier in the coming season, and only registered persons will be able to participate in smaller outdoor events.
The glacier express, cable car cabins, toilet facilities and first aid stations will be disinfected daily and lift staff will be tested every day. The Gletscherexpress will run daily from as early as 07.00 to help with busy periods. Access to the restaurants and bars will be constantly monitored and adjusted.
© Pitztaler Gletscher
Access restrictions and “gondola butlers”
The Hochzeiger mountain lifts in Jerzens will run their lift operations daily from 08.00. Access will be limited to 4000 people daily and there will also be personnel guidance systems at the Hochzeiger to avoid the formation of large groups.
The so-called “gondola butlers” will be deployed in the access and exit areas of the gondola lifts to inform guests and draw their attention to the distance regulations. “We all have to take responsibility for good cooperation and nothing stands in the way of a great mountain experience in Pitztal if we all adhere to the regulations,” explains Thomas Fleischhacker from the Hochzeiger mountain lift company.
Both mountain lift operations in the Pitztal are increasingly relying on online ticket sales via their own online shops or from landlords and local tourist offices.
Chill-out instead of après-ski
Chill-out instead of après-ski is the motto in the Pitztal. “Après-ski is not a big thing here anyway. With a generous amount of space and relaxing chill-out music, we focus all the more on rest and relaxation after skiing,” announces Gerhard Gstettner, managing director of the Pitztal tourist office.
© Tirol Werbung | Daniel Zangerl
“This also includes the extensive network of winter hiking trails as well as the extensive cross-country skiing facilities in the valley, on the glacier and at the Nature Park House”.
The ski schools are also taking appropriate measures: strict distance regulations apply here too. Large groups in offices or meeting places should be avoided. Childcare takes place exclusively outdoors. Mouth and nose protection must be worn where it is not possible to keep a distance. Both ski schools and ski rental companies request advance reservations.
Safe rooms
In the event that a guest tests positive, so-called safe rooms are set up throughout Pitztal in which those affected can be quarantined. “In principle, if a positive Covid-19 case occurs, the Imst authorities and the public health officer have to decide what happens. However, we will ensure that the transport of an affected person is organised in the event of a case,” says Gstettner.
“All of the measures described will be implemented on a voluntary basis by the tourist businesses in the Pitztal valley in order to ensure that people can share in winter 2020-21 in as safe and restful a manner as possible,” emphasises Gerhard Gstettner. “As soon as the statutory regulations of the state and federal government are available, they will of course be integrated immediately into the existing catalogue of measures and strictly implemented.”
More information: www.pitztal.com