Swiss Story 
Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced officially, travel risk level for infection COVID19 downed level-2 from level-3 on April 1st, 2022. This means Japanese travel agents and tour operators having the permission of Travel industry type1 allows them to hold package tours from Japan to Europe, Canada, and many other countries.
For the purpose of re-starting overseas hiking and ski tour in Switzerland after Covid-19, we experienced a demonstration experiment travel from April 13 to 20, 2022. Then we report the latest information as “Swiss Story April 2022” including the differences in the field and sensation both Switzerland and Japan.
It’s very simple and smooth for the airline check-in by just showing the vaccination certificate. At the immigration of Zurich airport, I just show the passport and the medical document.
It’s completely different from Japan. People are talking and walking without mask in the terminal and airport station with relaxing mood as same as before COVID-19. If you are traveling from Japan, we recommend you must be still resistance to the difference by wearing a mask and carrying disinfectant goods essentially.
Speaking of Switzerland is the developed railway network. It has the sense of security with secured social distance.
Welcomed by Matterhorn under fine weather all day. It was the day before Easter Holiday, but there are not so many skiers on the slope.
Sunnegga Express, Ropeway to Rothorn, and Restaurant are on vacation almost as same as before COVID-19. Very few people put on a musk. It’s completely different from Japanese ski resort for the infectious disease control. “Tofftern-Kumme-Rothorn” is newly installed last season, then it’s increased variations for skiing in this area.
It was very nice skiing day and many skiers visit. I was surprised that no strict regulation to use the gondola riding from April, but it’s kept safety concepts. The gondola of Italian side, there are more skiers wearing musk than Zermatt side.
We could see the construction work for the “Alpine Crossing” gondola towards the opening at the spring 2023 between Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Testa Grigia. It’s great cross-border plan for hiking season. We also expect the World Cup races in Zermatt/Cervinia in October November 2022 will be the season opener for speed athletes.
Mr. Mario. Braide (Valais-Matterhorn) & Mr. Devid Kestens (Aretsch Arena)
Mr. Helmut Biner (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn)
It’s not necessary to wear the musk in Glacier Express. Measures against infectious diseases are perfect in each car. It’s well prepared for the acceptance tourists.
On the Easter Saturday, Corvatsch 3303 are very crowded because of closing Corviglia. It took about one hour and half from Surlej to the top of Corvatsch. But once we go up to the top, it’s no stress because skiers can disperse to vast scale slopes. As this area is near Italy, there are a lot of Italian. Very few people were wearing musk. I can't really feel under the situation COVID-19.
< Point of European Ski>
It’s important to get used to the altitude. We have to practice in lower area for preparation the important point Cardiopulmonary Function to go up to higher viewing platform, altitude more than 3,000m. In case of hiking, we should take time to go up with taking pictures etc.
Mr. Giorgio Rocca (Skier) & Gaia
Mr. Hauser in Hotel Hauser St. Moriz
From St. Moritz to Aletsch Area, I took the local train along with the same route of Glacier Express. We can see the typical Swiss landscape and enjoy the real pleasure of traveling
It’s more skiers wearing the musk than other ski resort. Rubbing alcohol was installed at the ropeway station.
Eggishorn is one of wonderful view point for Aletsch Glacier and the south face of Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau. Though I can’t ski down on the black route from the Eggishorn top because of less of snow, it’s worth viewing the great Aletsch Glacier.
Fiescheralp, Bettmeralp, and Riederalp are car free resorts, so it’s very quiet and nice location where you can see many famous peaks as Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Dom, Weisshorn, and so on.
We recommend this Aletsch Arena must be one of contrasting area on the way between St. Moritz and Zermatt, or Grindelwald and Zermatt.
It’s on Easter Monday.
Every ski area in Zermatt is almost open with good condition in April.
Several stations of “Stop on Request” are newly open like “Monte Rosa” station, between Zermatt to Visp. Switzerland railway is accurate in time. Recently railway system has increased and been very convenient for free WiFi at the station and battery charge in the car, etc.
Most of hotels and station at Grindelwald are taking measures against infectious diseases. Travelers from Asia are wearing musk. Some hotel prepares Alcohol, Vinyl gloves, and Partation curtain at Front desk.
Grindelwald is a wonderful sunny day. It takes about three minutes from Grindelwald to Tarminal station by railway. “Tarminal” was complex facility as the base of Eiger Express, Maenlichen Gondola and railway. It’s very convenient and functional. There are Ski lockers, Rental sports shop, Souvenir shop, supermarket and PCR test center.
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The most modern tricable gondola takes us to Eiger Glatcher in just 15 minutes. It’s very confortable with superb view of Eiger Northface. We can effectively use it for ski and hiking.
At the end of winter season, it was remitted opening time as 15:30-17:00 and the test results will be 24 hours later. We have to check detail and time schedule according to our use.
Mr. Urs Kessler (Jungfraubahnen)
It’s final stage of Swiss Story. On the way from Grindelwald to Zurich, I enjoy taking breakfast in SBB’s dining car and beautiful scenery in a reluxed mood.
< PCR test center in Zurich Airport>
I tried to take PCR test to come back to Japan at Flyender in Check-in 2. It’s very easy and simple for reservation, process, receiving result by email, and picking up a certificate in line with Japanese regulations.
*CHF149.00 - 3 hours from sample collection
*Opening hours: Mon – Fri from 5 am to 10 pm, Sat – Sun from 6 am to 10 pm
* If you give your sample after 7 pm, you will receive the result by 8 am the following day.
For the purpose of re-starting overseas hiking and ski tour in Switzerland after Covid-19, we experienced a demonstration experiment travel from April 13 to 20, 2022. Then we report the latest information as “Swiss Story April 2022” including the differences in the field and sensation both Switzerland and Japan.
Swiss Story
【Index】
April 13 Day1 /
April 14 Day2 /
April 15 Day3 /
April 16 Day4 /
April 17 Day5 /
April 18 Day6 /
April 19 Day7 /
April 20 Day8 /
1st Day - Wednesday, April 13, 2022
It’s very simple and smooth for the airline check-in by just showing the vaccination certificate. At the immigration of Zurich airport, I just show the passport and the medical document.
It’s completely different from Japan. People are talking and walking without mask in the terminal and airport station with relaxing mood as same as before COVID-19. If you are traveling from Japan, we recommend you must be still resistance to the difference by wearing a mask and carrying disinfectant goods essentially.
Speaking of Switzerland is the developed railway network. It has the sense of security with secured social distance.
2nd Day - Thursday, April 14, 2022
Welcomed by Matterhorn under fine weather all day. It was the day before Easter Holiday, but there are not so many skiers on the slope.
Sunnegga Express, Ropeway to Rothorn, and Restaurant are on vacation almost as same as before COVID-19. Very few people put on a musk. It’s completely different from Japanese ski resort for the infectious disease control. “Tofftern-Kumme-Rothorn” is newly installed last season, then it’s increased variations for skiing in this area.
3rd Day - Friday, April 15, 2022
It was very nice skiing day and many skiers visit. I was surprised that no strict regulation to use the gondola riding from April, but it’s kept safety concepts. The gondola of Italian side, there are more skiers wearing musk than Zermatt side.
We could see the construction work for the “Alpine Crossing” gondola towards the opening at the spring 2023 between Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Testa Grigia. It’s great cross-border plan for hiking season. We also expect the World Cup races in Zermatt/Cervinia in October November 2022 will be the season opener for speed athletes.
Mr. Mario. Braide (Valais-Matterhorn) & Mr. Devid Kestens (Aretsch Arena)
Mr. Helmut Biner (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn)
It’s not necessary to wear the musk in Glacier Express. Measures against infectious diseases are perfect in each car. It’s well prepared for the acceptance tourists.
4th Day - Saturday, April 16, 2022
On the Easter Saturday, Corvatsch 3303 are very crowded because of closing Corviglia. It took about one hour and half from Surlej to the top of Corvatsch. But once we go up to the top, it’s no stress because skiers can disperse to vast scale slopes. As this area is near Italy, there are a lot of Italian. Very few people were wearing musk. I can't really feel under the situation COVID-19.
< Point of European Ski>
It’s important to get used to the altitude. We have to practice in lower area for preparation the important point Cardiopulmonary Function to go up to higher viewing platform, altitude more than 3,000m. In case of hiking, we should take time to go up with taking pictures etc.
Mr. Giorgio Rocca (Skier) & Gaia
Mr. Hauser in Hotel Hauser St. Moriz
From St. Moritz to Aletsch Area, I took the local train along with the same route of Glacier Express. We can see the typical Swiss landscape and enjoy the real pleasure of traveling
5th Day - Sunday, April 17, 2022
It’s more skiers wearing the musk than other ski resort. Rubbing alcohol was installed at the ropeway station.
Eggishorn is one of wonderful view point for Aletsch Glacier and the south face of Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau. Though I can’t ski down on the black route from the Eggishorn top because of less of snow, it’s worth viewing the great Aletsch Glacier.
Fiescheralp, Bettmeralp, and Riederalp are car free resorts, so it’s very quiet and nice location where you can see many famous peaks as Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Dom, Weisshorn, and so on.
We recommend this Aletsch Arena must be one of contrasting area on the way between St. Moritz and Zermatt, or Grindelwald and Zermatt.
6th Day - Monday, April 18, 2022
It’s on Easter Monday.
Every ski area in Zermatt is almost open with good condition in April.
Several stations of “Stop on Request” are newly open like “Monte Rosa” station, between Zermatt to Visp. Switzerland railway is accurate in time. Recently railway system has increased and been very convenient for free WiFi at the station and battery charge in the car, etc.
Most of hotels and station at Grindelwald are taking measures against infectious diseases. Travelers from Asia are wearing musk. Some hotel prepares Alcohol, Vinyl gloves, and Partation curtain at Front desk.
7th Day - Tuesday, April 19, 2022
The most modern tricable gondola takes us to Eiger Glatcher in just 15 minutes. It’s very confortable with superb view of Eiger Northface. We can effectively use it for ski and hiking.
At the end of winter season, it was remitted opening time as 15:30-17:00 and the test results will be 24 hours later. We have to check detail and time schedule according to our use.
Mr. Urs Kessler (Jungfraubahnen)
8th Day - Wednesday, April 20, 2022
It’s final stage of Swiss Story. On the way from Grindelwald to Zurich, I enjoy taking breakfast in SBB’s dining car and beautiful scenery in a reluxed mood.
< PCR test center in Zurich Airport>
I tried to take PCR test to come back to Japan at Flyender in Check-in 2. It’s very easy and simple for reservation, process, receiving result by email, and picking up a certificate in line with Japanese regulations.
*CHF149.00 - 3 hours from sample collection
*Opening hours: Mon – Fri from 5 am to 10 pm, Sat – Sun from 6 am to 10 pm
* If you give your sample after 7 pm, you will receive the result by 8 am the following day.
Let’s enjoy skiing in Swiss Alps and have a valuable experience and memories next season!
Fellow Travel inc.