Travel Aware – UK Customers

Travel Aware – UK Gov

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (UK Gov announcement for UK Customers) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information check www.gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCOtravel and Facebook: Facebook.com/FCOtravel.

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.travelhealthpro.org.uk

The advice can change so check regularly for updates.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office also provides the following advice:

Before you depart:

• Take out appropriate travel insurance before travelling and make sure it covers you for all the activities you want to do.

• If you are travelling within Europe, ensure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that hasn’t expired and understand what it covers – you still need full travel insurance though! For your free EHIC card visit www.nhs.uk/ehic.

• Learn about the laws, customs and entry requirements of the country you’re visiting and understand how they differ from home, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

• Check your passport is valid, fill out the emergency details, look after it while travelling and keep it in a safe place. Make sure you have all necessary visas.

• Make copies of important travel documents, take a picture or make copies and store them securely using a secure data storage site.

• Research vaccinations or any other medical requirements for your destination, and if necessary visit a travel health clinic before you travel. For medical advice visit travelhealthpro. org.uk.

• Tell your friends or family about your travel plans and where you’re going and leave emergency contact details.

• Take enough money with you and have access to emergency funds.

• Ensure you take the contact details of the local British Consulate in case of emergencies – www.gov.uk/government/world/embassies.

• Understand what consular staff can and can’t do to help British nationals travelling overseas, check www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide.

• Act responsibly, and be responsible for yourself when abroad.

If you have further questions, see the “Travel & Health requirements” information in the Before You Go section of our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Coronavirus Advice

The UK Government website including the FCO is updated in real-time with the latest Covid-19 travel restrictions as they relate to UK Customers: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

QUIZ: Tell us which song you’re playing on a loop

and we’ll tell you if you are a skier, a snowboarder or an après-skier.

If you are willing to take this quiz, it could be because: you don’t know what to try the next ski season; you want to double-check you are doing the right winter sport; and lastly (and most likely), you are bored.

We want you to have some fun doing this quiz so open the notes on your phone (or take a piece of paper and a pen for the old-fashioned way) and after reading each question, write down your answer -A, B or C-. Once you finish the quiz, count each letter, and read the answer of the letter repeated the most. Here we go!

After work, you can find me…

Working out
Reading Sapiens
Having some drinks

How is your balance?

Great!
It has improved after yoga
So clumsy that at Costa they don’t let me have the takeaway coffee without a lid

What kind of photo would showcase your winter holiday on Instagram?

An active photo while I’m practising sports
A photo at the highest point of the mountain, ready to descend the piste
In the kitchen, before going out

Where would you like to go?

Avoriaz, France
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
St. Anton, Austria

When I’m travelling, I like to…

Improvise my plans
Wake up earlier and visit as much as I can
Go out and party!

Currently, I’m playing on loop…

Blind lights, Weeknd
Hold me while you wait, Lewis Capaldi
Don’t start now, Dua Lipa

How would you describe yourself?

Adventurous
Detailed
Outgoing

The best part of the day is…

Afternoon
Mornings
Evenings

Majority A – Snowboarder

You don’t mind falling, because you know you’ll stand up immediately after! You are ready to give your best and try one of the most difficult winter sports: snowboarding. Snowboarding is an excellent sport for somebody so audacious and fearless like you. You’ll enjoy the challenges of this winter sport and soon you’ll find yourself taking on the halfpipe like a pro.

For the first couple of days, you’ll fall a lot and it will be challenging to move around since both feet are attached to the same board. But don’t worry, we know you don’t give up easily and you’ll get it soon! To master snowboarding and become the next Chloe Kim, you should improve your core strength. Focusing on your abdominal muscles and lower back, you will develop your balance and hopefully prevent injury.

If you don’t have a destination for the next snow season, you should consider visiting Avoriaz, you’ll love the stunning views over the Morzine valley and Mont Blanc. This resort has excellent snow conditions, being one of the first resorts to get snow and with 600km of pistes. Also, the alpine resort has some of the best snowparks in Europe, including the Stash, a fun ungroomed area to freeride and freestyle.

Majority B – Skier

You like to take your time and enjoy the moment. In your next snowy holiday, you look forward to learning a new sport, but you are not going to stress yourself, you’ve tried it and that’s what is essential. Skiing ticks all the boxes of what you are looking for in your next winter holiday: easy to catch up, you don’t get too messy and Instagramable.

During the first week, skiing is a lot of fun, many people take it quickly. The first few days you’ll take your first turns on the beginner slopes and by the end of the week, you may even progress to a blue piste. To become the next Bode Miller and compete in the Olympics, we recommend you don’t skip leg day, the stronger they are, the better you’ll control the skis on the slopes.

Regardless of how many times you’ve taken to the slopes, Verbier is an excellent destination for skiing. The ski resort that James Blunt sings about is located over 2,000m up and is a well-known ski resort for having great snow. Also, if you decide to explore and go to the Mont Fort Glacier, you will be able to enjoy the views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Majority C – Après-skier

The pub is where you’re in your element. You’re outgoing, lively and you are making video calls with your friends all the time! Skiing and snowboarding are cool, but your plan for a winter holiday is to be surrounded by friends and gather around some fondue – and some alpine wine.

The next season, you should visit St. Anton, their nights are well-known in the ski scene. On your first afternoon, you can’t miss the legendary après-ski mile, home to iconic bars like Mooserwirt, Taps, and Krazy Kanguruh. After the après-ski mile, the party moves to the centre of town. At Piccadilly/Postkeller there are two ambiences: an area to drink and talk and another one if you feel like dancing.

Top 7 ski resorts for late-season skiing

Late-season skiing is a pleasure for those who prefer slopes that are less busy. Winter is almost over, but that doesn’t mean that the ski season will be! Spring is a wonderful time to travel, making skiing in the spring a great way to hit the slopes in relative peace, and perhaps have an après-ski French wine while enjoying the alpine sunshine on a terrace.

Also, the daylight lasts longer – so you will have more time to enjoy the snow and take the slopes to the fullest. With Spring the weather settles down, and skiers and snowboarders can enjoy some of the most fun events of the season, with festivals and displays like Snowbombing or Snowboxx.

Great reasons to book a last-minute holiday, right? Now you might wonder “Where can I ski in April?”, “Are there any ski resorts opened in May?” or “Where can I book an airport transfer for the Alps?”. Well, we’ve done all the research for you and listed the best ski resorts to ski in the late season.

Tignes, France

At Tignes, approximately 2 hours away from Geneva Airport.

Tignes is located at 2,100m of altitude, and it’s part of the Espace Killy resort, which is one of the resorts in Europe with the biggest ski area over 2,000m of altitude. Because of the elevation of the ski area and the fact that it has some slopes facing north, the ski resort offers almost-certain fun in the pistes until May.

St. Anton, Austria

At St. Anton, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Innsbruck Airport.

St. Anton has an excellent snow record and is open from November to early May. Even if it has lovely Spring sunshine, the many north-facing slopes hold the powder and the snow machines cover the south-facing pistes. With your ski pass, you’ll be able to ski at any point of the Alberg region, the largest linked ski area in Austria and with highly efficient lifts.

After the slopes, enjoy the sunshine at the legendary après-ski mile while listening to live music and having an Austrian beer.

Mayrhofen, Austria

At Mayrhofen, approximately 1 hour away from Innsbruck Airport.

With 142km of slopes and the runs mostly between 1,650m and 2,500m, Mayrhofen is a reliable destination to make the most of the ski season. The ski resort is close to the Hintertux glacier and is home for the steepest slope of Austria: the Harakiri. Also, in mid-April, Mayrhofen hosts Snowbombing, a music festival that combines fun mountain experiences during the day and excellent live concerts and parties at night.

Verbier, Switzerland

At Verbier, approximately 2 hours away from Geneva Airport.

The ski resort that James Blunt sings about is located over 2,000m up and is a well-known ski resort for having great snow in late-season. Verbier’s significant snowmaking installations guarantee that the powder will last longer for visitors, being open until April. Also, if you decide to explore and go to the Mont Fort Glacier, you will be able to enjoy the views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Breckenridge, Colorado, USA

At Breckenridge, approximately 2 hours away from Denver Airport.

If you are considering travelling to the other side of the Atlantic to hit the slopes for the last time this season, Breckenridge is the ski resort you are looking for. The resort is also known as “Breckenwind”, because of the wind and cold conditions that make the snow hold for longer in the hills, rewarding you with almost 3,000 acres of powder.

Chamonix, France

At Chamonix, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

When you travel to Chamonix in Spring, there is something you have to do after hitting the piste: enjoy a glass of Alpine wine outdoors while contemplating Mont Blanc and the stunning view of the Chamonix Valley, glorious! Skiers can take to the slopes of Chamonix until May since it has the highest point of the resort at 3840m of altitude and it has the most regular snowfall figures in the Alps.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

At Saas-Fee, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

Less busy than its neighbour Zermatt, Saas-Fee is an excellent decision if you want to enjoy a calm late-season break. The Swiss resort has been car-free since 1951, making it a quiet destination and a more environmentally friendly option. With 100km of pistes and 2 snowparks, as well as being home to 13 peaks over 4,000m; you can hit the slopes of Saas-Fee until after Easter.

5 environmentally-friendly ski resorts

As a skier or snowboarder you probably love nothing more than hitting the slopes, enjoying the great snow and having a moment to contemplate the magnificence of the mountains. Unfortunately, the current climate crisis puts the possibility to keep enjoying nature as we know it at risk. Already, we have experienced some devastating changes in the mountains, with animal species in danger of extinction and ski resorts having to close because of the low snowfall.

On the other hand, many ski resorts are taking action towards the preservation of the climate and are taking steps to provide an eco-friendly ski holiday for their guests.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

At Saas-Fee, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

The incredible feeling of inhaling fresh air when you arrive at the highest point of the piste makes you connect immediately with nature, especially when your ski holiday is a runaway from the hectic city life. Your whole body relaxes and you are ready to descend the slopes.

To be sure that you take only the freshest breaths of air in the Alps, and to provide skiers with a sustainable ski holiday, Saas-Fee has been car-free since 1951. Not allowing cars in the resort, Saas-Fee reduces its environmental impact and its carbon footprint, taking steps to help to protect the Alps and improve the quality of life.

Therefore, the Swiss resort is working to be a pioneer in ecological alpine tourism and is developing procedures to be carbon-free. Its efforts in sustainability have seen Saas-Fee win the title of “Energy Town”, because of the introduction of clear quality standards in traffic and energy policies. No other ski resort in Switzerland can show off its use of natural energy so consistently, as it obtains 100% of their electricity by renewable Valaisian hydroelectric power.

Pejo 300, Italy

At Peio, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Verona Airport.

Most plastics take an average of 1000 years to decompose completely. So if you consume a single-use plastic bottle today, it will still exist when your great-great-grandchildren go to college, along with all the plastic their previous generations have used. And yes, that can be a lot of rubbish. This crazy fact has shocked many people who have decided to stop reducing their plastic waste or even wholly stop consuming plastic at all and have a zero-waste lifestyle to reduce their impact on the environment.

Aware of the impact the plastic has on the climate crisis and following the need to take steps to preserve our mountains, Pejo 3000 has become the first ski resort in Europe to ban plastics. The Italian resort has forbidden disposable straws, bottles, cutlery, glasses, packets of ketchup and mayonnaise and any other single-use plastic items. The new zero-waste action will reduce the disposal of plastic into the mountains and will help to preserve the local nature so all skiers can enjoy the Stelvio National Park for longer.

Even if Pejo 3000 took the initiative, having a plastic-free ski holiday can be a personal ambition of any skier, besides the polyethene in your skis of course. If you are wondering where to start, we recommend you take a look at Laura Singer’s blog post – most of the things are free! http://trashisfortossers.com/zero-waste-travel-ki/

Avoriaz, France

At Avoriaz, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

Designed to be a green ski resort, since the beginning Avoriaz has been zero-car, fuel monitored to avoid energy waste and has planned sustainable accommodation. These procedures have made them win the Green Key accreditation, the top international certification for eco-friendly tourist accommodation.

The resort has done great work building environmentally-friendly construction and developing a dual-energy network. Also, the French resort has two environmentally responsible snowparks and train their drivers to do their tasks in the most eco-friendly way. Lately, they’ve renewed their snow canyons to introduce modern machines which consume three times less energy, and they try to avoid using them so the skiers can enjoy the natural fresh snow.

Aspen, USA

At Aspen, approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes away from Denver Airport.

The world-famous ski resort Aspen has been a pioneer in sustainable skiing, applying eco-friendly procedures since 1997. Their goal to eradicate emissions has led them to be one of the first cities in the USA to be powered by renewable energy and become seven-times winners of the Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence.

Besides, they don’t only advocate for green power and develop energy-efficient methods; they also take on the best eco practices in the resort. They purchase local food and beverages to reduce their impact, they are home for the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (where they inform visitors of the local environment), and they take part in many local activities to protect the climate.

Söll, Austria

At Soll, approximately 1 hour away from Innsbruck Airport.

One of the energy challenges that the ski resorts have to face is heating. To keep all the skiers and snowboarders warm, the ski resorts have to make significant investments in energy which directly affects the climate crisis. However, Söll is renowned for its green heating initiative. Rather than using gas or coal, they burn wood chips to make fuel to heat the entire bottom lift station, an excellent alternative to keep everybody warm and reduce the environmental impact.

Also, the Austrian ski resort uses eco-friendly snow cannons and has a stable system for sorting waste.

Lastly, the future of the mountains is everyone’s responsibility, and all of us can make a change in our daily life.

Travel to the EU after Brexit: how it would affect my ski holidays?

Since the 31st of January 2020, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union. The new political relationship brings new arrangements for travelling across borders and with it new questions about how everything will work from now on.

Even if we’ve been reading news about the new political situation for the last few years, some people still have questions about what’s happening after Brexit. So far, British tourists in the EU haven’t experienced any important changes to their holiday, such as needing a visa to visit a European country or paying extra charges, as the travelling conditions will remain the same until the end of the current transition period.

But, what does the transition period involve?

The 31st of January 2020 started the transition period. This means that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, but many agreements decided before this stage will still be effective, especially the ones related to travellers. The transition period will be over by the 1st January of 2021, bringing new rules and agreements that haven’t yet been defined.

Will I need a visa to travel to the EU?

With the UK and the European Union having a new set-up for the borders, the first question that comes to the mind of a British tourist is: will I need a visa to travel to Europe? During the transition period, British citizens won’t need to get a visa if they’re going to stay as a tourist for up to 90 days in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Therefore, after the transition period, British citizens will become “third-country nationals” and it’s likely that they will have to pay for a ‘visa-exempt travel’ if they’re travelling in 2021. Also, the European Union will implement the European Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias) by 2022, a specific programme for non-EU citizens that would like to travel in Europe, including British citizens. The application for Etias will cost 7 Euros.

What will I need to travel after Brexit?

After the transition period, at border control, British citizens may need to show their return ticket and prove that they have enough money for their stay. Also, once at border control, British citizens will have to queue in different lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. Besides that, when travelling between the UK and the EU, you’ll need to declare cash of £10,000 or more (or the equivalent in another currency).

Do I need a new passport?

After the transition period, you’ll need to renew your British passport if the expiration date is shorter than 6 months or if it is more than 10 years old. If you are travelling after the 1st of January 2021 and you need a new passport to meet this requirement, keep in mind that renewing your passport usually takes 3 weeks.

How long can I stay in the EU?

British citizens will be able to stay as a tourist for up to 90 days in any 180 days in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Can I drive in the EU with my British driving license?

Driving in Europe will be the same for citizens with a British driving license until 2021. After the transition period, citizens with a British driving license may need to purchase an International Driving Permit (IDP) 1968 or 1949, it will depend on which country they are going to and how long are they staying. Therefore, it’s recommended to check the regulation of the country you’re visiting for your holiday.

If you’re travelling in the EU with your car, you might also need a ‘green card’ or valid proof of insurance and a GB sticker.

Of course, there are other issues with driving to ski resorts yourself and this is where a quality ski transfer operator can come in handy.

How will Brexit affect travel insurance?

Until the end of the year, citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) are entitled to have healthcare in any EEA member state as well as Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland.

Therefore, the Ehic is not a substitute for travel insurance and it’s recommended to always have travel insurance that covers your healthcare and pre-existing medical condition.

What will happen to roaming charges after Brexit?

The guarantee of free-roaming for British mobile in EU countries will disappear after the 1st of January 2021. We recommend you check the new terms with your phone operator to avoid any ghastly bills from getting that perfect photo for the ‘Gram. However, a new law protects you from getting phone charges over £45 without you knowing.

Travel after Brexit Checklist

Check passport is valid for the next 6 months.
Get travel insurance that covers healthcare and pre-existing medical conditions.
Check roaming conditions with phone operator.
Decide whether to learn the driving regulations of the country or to get airport transfers.

We hope this information has been useful and we’ve solved your questions about travelling after Brexit. In case you need more details, you can find more advice here: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021

If you are going on a ski holiday after the 1st of January 2021, we recommend visiting gov.uk to check the latest news about Brexit.