J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Following a huge investment in summer 2014 in installing floodlighting and snowmaking along most of the length of 'the world's longest black run' Alpe d'Huez say their lift company has spent a further €1.75m this summer completing the job.

The Sarenne piste is the resort's big draw and the investment last year allowed it to open every day through to 12th April last season allowing 370,000 skiers and boarders to descend it, the resort says.

The latest investment covers the final 4.5km of piste down to the Alp Auris ski lifts with 30 more snow cannons installed. The Alpe d'Huez lift company hopes this will ensure the piste will be open every day and some evenings from 5th December 2015 through to 24th April 2016.

There are new developments in the complex disagreement between ski instructor Simon Butler, the French Government and BASI.

The case has become so complicated we apologise in advance for any errors in the following and would be pleased for any factual corrections to be posted below.

Readers may recall that several years ago now Mr Butler and colleagues were removed from the slopes of Megeve where Mr Butler had operate a ski school for some decades and charged with teaching without adequate qualifications.

Various court cases have followed with Mr Butler fined and threatened with imprisonment as well as banned from teaching. These court cases are ongoing and moving up through the French courts towards the European Court as part of Mr Butler's case is that his highest level BASI qualifications should allow him to teach in France under EC equal employment law.

However in a separate action Mr Butler has also been taking legal action against BASI because at one point in the past ski instructors with his high level of BASI qualifications were given a kind of waiver against needing to take the French instructor tests in any case. However for reasons unknown Mr Butler did not get his waiver when similarly qualified colleagues did, causing the current problems with the French authorities.

Mr Butler has sought compensation for his resulting loss of income snd costs of a figure in excess of £500,000 but BASI have disputed Mt Butler's position and have previously ejected him from BASI membership.

BASI's position was due to be tested in an Edinburgh court this week but shortly before the case BASI conceded that Simon Butler should not have been ejected from BASI and have reinstated his membership.

This led to online speculation that BASI were conceding everything however they have today issued a statement to its members saying that the case for compensation from them by Mr Butler will still be heard, that their legal advice is that they are correct and that even if they lose, they have insurance cover against such an eventuality (some online speculation was that losing the case would bankrupt and lead to the collapse of BASI).

The BASI statement to its members is as follows:

BASI Statement Court Action Butler v BASI

1 October 2015

Given the media speculation and social media comment in the past 24 hours, BASI is taking this opportunity to update all Members on the status of the Court Actions taken by Mr Butler against the Association.

The first legal action against BASI was lodged shortly after November 2014 and relates to the decision to terminate Simon Butler's Membership of BASI.

BASI has now revoked its decision of 1 November 2014 to terminate Simon Butler's membership. This decision was made on the basis of legal advice obtained. Accordingly, Simon remains a member of BASI. As a consequence of this decision the court action raised by Simon (in terms of which he sought suspension and interdict) has been dismissed.

The second action, a judicial review, was raised by Simon Butler against BASI earlier in 2015 is scheduled for a first hearing on 18 November 2015. BASI is maintaining its defence to this action.

Within BASI's Annual Report for 2015, there is a statement in the Financial Accounts (page 67) provided by BASI's solicitors which further clarifies BASI's position with regard to this second court action.

"The Association is currently defending a court action brought against it by a member. This action incorporates a claim for damages. The Association have received advice from Senior Counsel that their defence to this action is well founded. Further the damages aspect of the claim, as presented as at the date these accounts are signed, appears arithmetically incorrect and further, is unsubstantiated and un-vouched.

Given the existence of this court action it would be inappropriate to comment on matters in detail but we can
reference the following aspects of this damages claim. The claim exceeds £500,000 and is in respect of loss of income from teaching. It is asserted the member's loss started to accrue from February 2014 onwards (ie circa 18 months ago), that his average annual income for the 3 year period prior to February 2014 was £145,000, and that this dropped to £45,000 per year following February 2014. The Association are surprised as to the level of income it is claimed was being achieved prior to February 2014 and in any event the basis of calculation is not at all clear. " Partner. AlexGarioch. Morisons LLP

Members should also note that BASI is protected by an insurance policy from claims such as this and therefore in a 'worst case scenario' this will not negatively affect BASI as an ongoing concern or the Membership financially.

Andrew Lockerbie
Chief Executive Officer
BASI
1 October 2015

A New Zealand ski area has come up with the idea of renting special All Blacks themed skis to show support for the All Blacks during the current Rugby World Cup.

Queenstown's Coronet Peak has created the special all black skis, complete with the distinctive Silver Fern at their tip, and will be renting them out for skiers who want to show their support and perhaps take a few selfies this weekend – the last of their 2015 season.

Saturday morning will also see the New Zealand team playing Georgia in the World Cup and Coronet Peak will show the match live on the big screen as the ski day gets going from 8am and offer a special 'All Blacks Breakfast'.

"It's been a cracker of a season and we've smashed our previous snowfall record so we're going out on a high," said ski area manager Ross Copland, "It's a long countdown to next year."

Sunday's closing day celebrations will include a dress-up Beach Party and Pond Skim. The all black skis will be available at the bottom of the Coronet Express chairlift on Saturday morning.

A UK ski charity is offering the chance for skiers to be part of a new world record attempt on the slopes next winter, and raise money to fight cancer in the process.

Ski 4 Cancer's 'Everest Challenge' will see participants 'descend the height of Mount Everest (29,029ft) as one large group' on the slopes of Austria's new largest ski area, Saalbach, on Friday 11 March 2016.

The charity say that this is the first time such a world record has ever been attempted.

"We're looking for 500 skiers from across Europe who want to become world record holders!" said Andy Hayward, Trustee at Ski 4 Cancer, "In this unique event, skiers from lots of different countries will be united in one common cause – to raise funds to help fight cancer. Skiing the height of Mount Everest in one day will be a tough challenge though, even for more advanced skiers."

Mr Hayward says the plan is for a number of check-points and entertainment zones on the course to ensure the event is a lot of fun for participants.

The event is open to all competent skiers who think they can ski the nearly 9000 vertical metres in a day on Saalbach's slopes, served as they are by one of the world's most efficient high speed lift networks.

The Everest Challenge will be uploaded as a special contest on Map to Snow, one of the leading mobile phone apps for snowsports which will track individual participant's vertical skied.

There'll be prizes for individuals and teams who raise the most funds for the charity. Challengers will be joined by a number of high profile celebrities from the world of skiing and they'll be a massive party afterwards for all those who have taken part.

"We all know someone who has been affected by cancer… nearly 1,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every day. So if you've yet to book your ski trip for this year, why not join us. Become a World Record holder and help people living with cancer at the same time," Andy concluded.

Ski 4 Cancer was set up by a group of keen skiers and snowboarders who have all lost a close relative or friend to cancer and provides a range of alpine respite holidays for families living with cancer. The charity also makes grants to palliative care centres and supports research into the positive effects of exercise and how it can both prevent cancer and assist in people's recovery post diagnosis.

To find our more or to register for the event, visit www.ski4cancer.org/everest-world-record

PS Ladin, as I expect everyone knows, and i hope I am not making another error here, is the local indigenous dialect of the region!

A correction on the Kronplatz name has come in from our friends at Dolomiti Superski! "To say Plan de Corones is the Italian name is wroooong! ;-) it is the Ladin name and it was taken over by the Italian language as it sounded more "Roman" than the hard and edgy "Kronplatz"... People speak German on the northern side of Kronplatz mountain and Ladin on the southern as their first language. Nobody is really speaking Italian around there, except some hundred persons in Brunico city. They have chosen to go "Kronplatz" because they think one name is better for marketing and they decided to go with the German version..."

Very, very interesting in all parts, many thanks. I had heard about some of the link plans and tried to get Saas Fee to talk about the plans for a Zermatt link a few years ago without much joy, but I recall seeing plans of the route which I think I recall correctly involved some potentially 'highest yet' lifts for Western Europe. Looks like the connection from Zermatt to Monterosa is the most 'live' at the moment. Someone was saying that new chairlift going in this winter could be part of it, but not sure if it's in the right place?

I didn't know about Gressoney but have never been there. Was it the same thing with a post WW1 deal or a different reason there? And the other Monterosa resorts all more 'Italian' ?