J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyoneil

andyhull wrote:

smartski wrote:

AllyG wrote:
And as for myself and the group I've been organizing - I've got no intention of going off-piste, or encouraging anyone else to do so. And to be quite truthful I don't think any of us are intending to go off-piste - I mean it's too much hassle hiring all the gear and carrying it and worrying about the state of the snow, the weather, the avalanche warnings etc. etc.

If anyone does decide they want to go off-piste I will advise them to hire a guide.

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!

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

This is all a bit crazy, ski hosts do a different job entirely to a guide. They don't teach or go off piste so they compliment the ski schools of guiding services not compete with them.
What's more they will be the same people who book ski school or a guide for their clients, so they risk biting the hand that feeds by stopping hosting.
I suspect that this companies hosting went far beyond orientation.

If anyone does want an off piste guide in Espace Killy, I can recommend a superb one.

The Inghams web site seems pretty unequivocal:

"Meet the Pistes is a free orientation service offered to all Inghams guests in selected resorts. A great way to get your ski legs going and a good way to meet your fellow guests too! Don't miss it if you are travelling on your own, or if the other members of your group are busy on the nursery slopes or in ski school.

All we ask is that you can ski red runs confidently, but you do not need to be an 'advanced' skier. No instruction is given - that is strictly for the local skischool - but this is a great way to get a knowledgeable overview of the area, meet your Rep and fellow guests, and enjoy a great ski day out! Details will be supplied on arrival from your Resort Rep."

maybe thats why they are going after this other company as andyhull says..

AllyG wrote:Thanks Far Queue :D

What a lovely photo! It shows how you have to really go for it, down the schuss bit after the half-pipe, to get to the restaurant without having to 'skate' or walk.

Which is another reason why it's so hard on beginners to do the Santons run: they've had their confidence destroyed in the half pipe (often) and thus can't bring themsleves to go for it through the end of that and carry speed through the flat. Thus they end up polling for ages, which is tiring and thus they hate it even more

I think they should mark Santons as red to put beginners off and make them accept there's no shame in riding the gondola...

Great photo FQ though!

AllyG wrote:

andyoneil wrote:is Les Clochetons no after the piste flattens out?

Thus a long walk /push /pole back to the lifts after lunch?

Dunno for sure, Santons is a no no for me

You're quite right Andy - but you needn't have told the others :twisted:

I was hoping we'd all work off the lunch calories, getting back to the lifts :lol:

re-check my post Ally - dont want to get in your bad books before I see you on the 20th Jan....

Dunno for sure, Santons is a no no for me

Now edited to suit Ally's masterplan..... :wink:

AllyG wrote:

About the only thing I am good at is reading the small print on the piste maps which tell you what time each lift shuts, and making sure I don't get stuck in the wrong valley/country :lol:

An important and much underrated skill - expensive cab from VDI back to Les Brev.....

Far Queue wrote:

andyoneil wrote:indeed a fair question about Ally (or any of us in a group of friends thrust into the role of piste map reader extraordinaire (see my sig...))

Hmm, FYI you don't appear to have a sig :wink:

So I don't - dunno when that fell off and my profile says it still should be attached....

Will have to go fix

In the meantime though

"I've stopped putting the piste map in the hands of people who don't know the difference between a black run and a drag lift"

Hence they make you sign the statement that says "upon my own head be it"

I think your guiding may be more advanced than my own Ally - I've failed to get back before it goes dark in the past

I've even failed to get back to my own apartment a long time ago in Pas with the lads but that's another story :oops:

Thats exactly how I'd take the difference to be too Smartski - and indeed a fair question about Ally (or any of us in a group of friends thrust into the role of piste map reader extraordinaire (see my sig...)) and how they would be perceived under this potential test case

I too hope its unsuccessful

As for Nick Morgan - I have no knowledge of the man or his company but common sense would suggest that if they're going after him rather than the far more visible Crystal/First Choice/Inghams etc then he's perhaps done something to raise his head abaove the parapet and has now had it shot at....

Anyone have any knowledge of this company who could comment?