Skiregion Dachstein West: COVID Winter INFO

COVID-19 measures

Skiing safely in the winter of 2020/2021

Ensuring the health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. The following measures, guidelines and code of conduct apply for the winter season 2020/2021 in accordance with the COVID-19 regulations introduced by the Austrian Federal Government. These rules and actions are for the wellbeing of our guests and staff. We will continuously assess and adjust them as circumstances require.

Measures & general information

Dachstein West ski region - Gosau, Russbach, Annaberg

In accordance with the current regulations introduced by the Austrian Federal Government, cable cars are classified as a mode of public transport and are therefore subject to public transport regulations. Therefore, the following measures and guidelines apply:

Wearing of a FFP2 mask is mandatory in the queuing area, in boarding and alighting areas, and when riding cable car cabins/gondolas, chairlifts with wheather-protective covers as well as in all enclosed spaces and in any areas where it is not possible to comply with minimum social distancing regulations. FFP2 and FFP3 masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted, as they do not protect your surroundings.
- T-bar lifts and chairlifts without wheather-protective covers are exempt from the FFP2 mask obligation. Mouth and nose protective mask (MNP) is sufficient.
- An FFP2 mask is not to be worn in boarding and alighting outdoor areas but mouth and nose protective mask (MNP) is required.
- Children up to the age of 14 are generally exempt from the obligation to wear an FFP2 mask. However, they must wear a MNP mask. Children up to the age of 6 are generally exempt from the obligation to MNP mask
- FFP2 masks are available at all ticket coutners for € 3.00 and tube scarves for € 2.00.

Arrangements in boarding areas: We will arrange queuing areas in a way that avoid groups of people standing close together wherever possible.
Minimum social distance: The legal requirement to maintain a social distance of 2 meter from other people does not apply in cable car cabins/gondolas, on chairlifts and in all other lift facilities.
Maximum occupancy: TThe capacity in the closed cable car cabins / gondolas with wheather-protective covers will be reduced by 50% due to legal requirements. It is not necessary to reduce the maximum number of people permitted on facilities without wheather-protective covers (chairlifts, cable cars, T-bar lifts, rope lifts, magic carpets/conveyor belts). Please note: Wearing a FFPS mask is mandatory!
Announcements in the ski area
Disinfection measures: We ventilate o ur cable car cabins/gondolas and regularly disinfect them using cold fogging machines. We also regularly clean and disinfect all public areas.
Hand hygiene: We have installed numerous hand disinfection stations throughout our cable car facilities.
Journey times: None of our cable cars have a journey time of more than 10 minutes.
Customer contact: Staff who come in direct contact with customers always wear face coverings.
Cashless payments: All of our ticket counters accept cashless payments.
Information in the skiing area: Information is provided on numerous info screens, posters, etc. throughout the skiing area.

Please respect our COVID-19 safety measures. We will adjust these measures as needed and in accordance with any changes in the law or regulations issued by the Austrian Federal Government. By taking these necessary precautions, you are protecting yourself, other guests and our staff. Thank you for your cooperation!

Mouth and nose protection (MNP)

Wearing FFP2 mask ist mandatory at the boarding and alighting areas as well as in cable car cabins / gondolas, on chairlifts with wheather-protective covers and in all closed rooms or wherever the minimum distance cannot be maintained.

T-bar lifts and chair lifts and cable cars without a wheather-protective covers are exempt from the FFP2 mask mandatory. Mouth and nose protective mask (MNP) is sufficient.

An FFP2 mask is not to be worn in outdoor areas, but mouth and nose protective mask (MNP) is required.

Children up to the age of 14 are generally exempt from the obligation to wear an FFP2 mask. However, children must wear a mouth and nose protective mask (MNP). Children up to the age of 6 are generally exempt from the obligation to wear mouth and nose protective mask.

Mask requirement:

from 14 years: FFP2 mask mandatory
6 - 13 years: MNP mask
up to 5 years: no MNP obligation

Practice good hygiene

Please observe general hygiene rules such as regularly washing your hands
Do not shake hands when greeting others
If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into the crook of your arm or into a tissue
We have installed numerous hand disinfection stations throughout our cable car facilities
Please observe general hygiene rules such as regularly washing your hands

General

Follow instructions: Please follow any health recommendations and all instructions issued by our staff
Install the “Stopp Corona” app: We recommend that guests install the Austrian Federal Government’s “Stopp Corona” app, which functions anonymously
By acting responsibly, you protect yourself and everyone else

FAQs: Important questions & answers

Corona safety measures for skiing operation

Where do I need to wear a protective mask (face covering)?
Wearing of a FFP2 mask is mandatory in the queuing area, in boarding and alighting areas, and when riding cable car cabins/gondolas, chairlifts with wheather-protective covers as well as in all enclosed spaces and in any areas where it is not possible to comply with minimum social distancing regulations. FFP2 and FFP3 masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted, as they do not protect your surroundings.

T-bar lifts and chairlifts without a weather protection bubble are exempt from the FFP2 maks obligation. Mouth and nose protective mask (MNP) is sufficient.

An FFP2 mask is not to be worn in boarding and alighting outdoor areas but mouth and nose protective mask (MNP) is required.

Children up to the age of 14 are generally exempt from the obligation to wear an FFP2 mask. However, they must wear a MNP mask. Children up to the age of 6 are generally exempt from the obligation to MNP mask

What counts as a face covering?
Depending on the facility, queuing areas, boarding and alighting area OR age you've to wear a mouth-nose protective mask (MNP), snoods or FFP2 mask with exhalation valve. Details see: "Where must the mouth and nose protection (MNS) - FFP2 mask be worn?"

What arrangements are in place in queuing areas?
An FFP2 mask is not obligatory in outdoor areas, but mouth and nose protective mask (MNP) is required.

How many guests are allowed in cable cars and gondolas?
The capacity in the closed cable car cabins / gondolas asa well as chairlifts with wheather-protective covers will be reduced by 50% due to regulatory requirements. It is not necessary to reduce the maximum number of people permitted on the chairlifts without wheather-protective covers, cabins, T-bar lifts and magic carpets. We regularly disinfect cable car cabins/gondolas.

What arrangements are in place regarding face masks when using chairlifts, T-bar lifts and magic carpets?
Wearing a face covering is mandatory both in queuing areas and while using the lift facilities.

Are gondolas/cabins ventilated during transport?
We take care to make sure there is sufficient ventilation in cable car cabins/gondolas and in buildings. Cabins are ventilated as effectively as possible when in operation. Please ventilate your cabin during your journey by opening the windows.

What arrangements are in place for enclosed spaces?
Wearing a face covering (protective mask) is mandatory and the minimum social distance of 2 metre must be observed in enclosed spaces.

Where is disinfectant available?
We have provided disinfectant dispensers at numerous points in cable car buildings.

Toilets in the ski area?
Overview of the toilet facilities in the ski area in the panorama map (PDF) - PDF-Download »

What measures are in place for cable car staff who have contact with customers?
All staff who have direct contact with customers either wear a face covering (protective mask) or are physically separated from guests by specific protective arrangements (i.e. perspex shields).

What regulations are in place for restaurants in the mountains?
Separate regulations are in place for restaurants (including those up in the mountains). These regulations are published [in German only] at www.sichere-gastfreundschaft.at and are implemented by each establishment.