Preparations for the new winter season are going to be heavily influenced by the ongoing pandemic and information is still patchy as to what will / won't be possible. If the summer months in the mountains are any guide to what to expect, there will be masks (or snoods), hand sanitizers (for areas where gloves aren’t worn), terrace dining where possible and a big cloud hanging over the popular après ski dungeons that once packed revellers in like sardines.
Even without official announcements, it is hard to see how these social formats could operate in winter 2020/21 but that shouldn’t render the après ski scene in the Alps more Dubai snow hall, than 16:30, mid-Feb St Anton am Arlberg. There are endless après ski locations with outdoor terraces and social distancing. Just think the White Lounge, Mayrhofen with its deckchairs and DJ’s.
And whilst après ski is the icing on the cake, most skiers and snowboarders will be simply delighted at the prospect of moving chairlifts, fresh snow and the return of the views that were taken away from them during the grim days of March 2020.
