J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bandit

Good Luck, think positive, and make sure your Physio understands skiing.

andyhull wrote:I wonder how much ESF would expect their staff to be paid for a day hosting with no instruction involved?
I bet they'd not be able to offer hosting at a price people would be prepared to pay.

Across the pond, it's common for the resorts to offer and fund "Meet the Mountain" ski hosts, who offer orientation to their guests. Perhaps this may be a model that France could use.

Being paid or not is not relevant. The French authorities care about the function, how groups are behaving on the slopes.

andyhull wrote:

The difference seems to be getting paid for it. Anyone leading the way but not getting paid for it isn't doing anything wrong.

SCGB Leaders are not paid, and some are qualified Ski Instructors. In Verbier a few years back, there was an awful accident off piste with an SCGB group. A snowboarder died. This was being taken through the Swiss Courts as (AFAIK) a criminal prosecution.

I'm not up to date on developments, I don't know if it's been resolved/shelved or will proceed.

I bet Swingbeep will know the answer. -)

It's about being seen as the responsible person in the group, it does not seem to matter where on the mountain you might be.

smartski wrote:

But if I understand correctly, the test case is not about going 'off-piste'. It is even about being a "Host" on-piste.

So if somebody goes out with a group (friends, uni students, met down the pub, met on a website :shock: ); and that person decides where the group goes, then to my mind they are doing exactly the same as a "Host".

It's a mine field!

Yes, this is my understanding too. If you are notionally, leading/organising/showing around a group in a resort on piste, they'd like you banned. Unless you are a qualified ski instructor, then the ESF will turn up with a Gendarme and try to have you arrested for teaching illegally.

The French authorities would really like you to hire a French ski instructor, or a French Mountain Guide to point out the piste markers, lifts, and where the free toilets are on the hill :roll:

I feel a middle digit twitching...... :twisted:

You'll need to take a dealer's advice on the compatibility of the various systems. Ease of Refills is important.
Definitely try them on before buying, you'll also need to decide on which size of bag.
It might be better to spend the money on Avalanche Awareness education early on in your season. It's better to avoid being taken.

Here is a link to the English Section of the AAC, which will give you the details.

http://www.aacuk.org.uk/

Some insurers will only cover you to ski/board when the risk is at a certain level, for example 3. It will be in the small print. Most, will put the onus on you in the event of a claim, to prove that you were not reckless.

For example:

Had you consulted the Avalanche Forecast?
Spoken to the Pisteurs that morning?
Taken Avalanche Awareness training?
Carried a Transceiver, Probe and Shovel when offpiste.
Not ventured offpiste alone.
(Not a full list, you will get the idea)

Most insurers will have clauses that require you to behave as though you were not insured.

Kusanagi have you looked at the cover provided by the Austrian Alpine Club yet? Link provided several pages back.

Any insurer will look for ways to limit their exposure in the event of a claim.In the example you suggest, it will be up to you to prove that you were not reckless.

There is no zero avalanche risk status in alpine areas.