Following the furore over 'ski hosting' of clients by staff working for British tour operators, which French police have decided breaks French law, the UK's biggest operator, Crystal, has announced that reps will meet clients by key lifts at the base off the slopes each day to offer advice on conditions and routes for the 2013-14 ski season.
In the meantime the case against the operator Le Ski, for employing what the French authorities consider to be an under-qualified and therefore illegal 'ski guide' will reach its second court case in early November in Chambéry.
The case led to the suspension of what tour operators call 'ski hosting' or 'social skiing' by British operators across France.
The dispute has rumbled on for decades with the Ecole du ski Francais backing the French authorities' action, but virtually all major British tour operators supporting le Ski in their legal case.
The company is supported by Alpine Elements, Crystal Ski, Inghams, Mark Warner, Neilson, Ski Esprit, Ski Olympic, Ski Total, Skiworld, Thomson Ski.
Commenting on the decision to position staff to give advice at ski lifts, a Crystal company spokesperson said, "This doesn't break any law, nor does social skiing, that's what we're trying to convey at the court case."
The ski hosting issue is believed to be only a problem in France. The tui group which runs Crystal Ski and Thomson Ski say they offer social skiing in over 90 resorts in all other countries apart from France.