andyhull wrote:Ranchero_1979 wrote:
A guide or instructor does not magically remove the intrinsic danger of skiing offpiste anymore than a pilot being trained. It only guarantees that they will have a predefined level of competence, that has been tested. Something which is impossible to ascertain when you just meet someone off street.
Ski hosting didn't venture onto black runs let alone off piste.
There seems to be a great deal of confusion over what ski hosting is. If ski professionals think they are going to be busy because of the end to ski hosting they are in for disappointment!
Agreed. I joined the Whistler SCGB host with some friends last season. It was the first time I've tried it and I was very impressed. It's in no way akin to the guiding or teaching that you would pay for. It's simply a nice way of joining up with others for a sociable day on the slopes. Having said that, it was obvious that the host had done a lot of training on group management and was putting it to good use. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with a new resort.
I have no experience of the hosting/guiding in Europe but it appears similar. This whole French situation seems totally overblown. If anyone in the ESF thinks they are going to pick up a single new customer as a result of banning what effectively amounts to formalized helpful social meetups, then they are off their rockers.
In Canada, most resorts offer free 'ski hosting' run by volunteers (who usually get a free season pass and some food drink out of the deal), which essentially amounts to the same thing as the guiding given by the tour operators. They see it as good hospitality and added value. There's also a simple safety side benefit of guests becoming familiarized with the slopes from someone who knows the resort well (in the same way that a friend might advise you that whilst a certain run is green, it can get icy and crowded etc...).