Super pass checks, ski entrepreneurs call the police

Arabba pleased customers with the company’s initiative. Significant drop in attendance on the tracks: “We knew it”

BELLUNO. Ski, here’s the thud. Since last Monday we are at 20 per cent of the presences on the track. Who is luckier scores 25. But it was all expected, or almost. January, after the Epiphany, is the most critical month. And, in addition, from 10 you can ski only if vaccinated or cured from the covid, therefore with the Green pass strengthened. «Yes, almost everything is foreseen», admits Cristian Moretti, director of Alleghe Funivie, «in fact there are no foreigners. But we don’t tear our clothes, we don’t cry misery. The long weekend of the Christmas, New Year and Epiphany holidays allowed us to collect 40% of the season’s turnover ».

Season that will continue until mid-March, with white weeks. It did not go everywhere as in Alleghe, because there are ski areas that complain of a contraction of around 15%, “which is not a drama”, notes Marco Grigoletto, president of the Anef companies, “and which is partially recoverable if the pandemic brings back foreigners in February and March. And, on the other hand, the Italian skiers have received a nice confirmation from our lifts: that they are super safe ».

Starting from January 10th, skiers aged 12 and over can access the lifts only if in possession of the reinforced Green pass. Furthermore, in closed vehicle systems, i.e. cable cars, gondola lifts and chairlifts with a dome, it is mandatory to wear an FFP2 type mask from 6 years onwards, and their capacity is reduced to 80%. In Arabba, an FFP2 mask vending machine was installed to help guests at the start of the “Funifor” in Porta Vescovo.

Precisely on the 10th, the Arabba – Marmolada Lifts Consortium arranged checks, carried out by the State Police staff, to verify that the skiers were in possession of the Super Green pass. The special “Verification C-19” app was used. “No violations have been found, testifying to the fact that at present the guests are aware of the rules and respect them”, underlines, satisfied, the president Diego De Battista. «Not only that: on this occasion it was possible to detect absolutely positive feedback from customers, who welcomed this initiative with great consideration, aware of the need to implement safety and prevention measures, given the situation. In short, it was possible to ascertain that the guests have now gained an awareness that, not only do they respect the rules, but welcome the control initiatives with applause, as they want to be able to enjoy their holiday in complete safety ».

The company plans to repeat control days like this on the whole area, especially in response to the security request from customers.

At the other plants no similar checks were carried out, but the situation appeared to be of “maximum respect” for the new measures. This is confirmed by Marco Zardini, president of the Cortina Skiworld Consortium. «Our surveillance and control systems did not report“ illegal ”entries. Maybe it is Fr.sent someone to the tills, equipped with a buffer certificate, asking to be admitted at least to the uncovered plants, But, albeit with bitterness, he had to acknowledge that the rules did not allow it. And maybe the person concerned didn’t even know them ».

No problem, according to Zardini, not even on the obligation of the Ffp2, in the cable cars, gondola lifts and covered chairlifts. “The first days, after the Christmas decree, there were those who arrived with the surgical mask, because they were not aware of the new provisions, but immediately after they refueled with Ffp2”, explains Zardini. “And if by chance a skier does not have them, these masks can be found at our facilities”.

The drop these days? «Normal», Zardini agrees, but with the Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup, «the climb will begin again». Davide Zandonella, Confcommercio delegate, is also confident from Comelico. «This week there was a void, but with the Italian cross-country championships», he anticipates, «we will begin to breathe again. We need it ».