J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by SwingBeep

iainm wrote:The gondola machinery is being buried underground at the base area to reduce the noise impact for inhabitants and fauna living around the 'front de neige'.

I think you've got hold of the wrong end of the stick here Iainm. If you look at this photo you can clearly see that the machinery is located under the canopy where it always is on this type of lift.


The motor and gearbox sit between the rails on which the cabins run when they are detached from the cables.

Up at the top station the garage has been partially built underground, there are some drawings on the architect's website http://www.sg-architecte.com/portfolio_page/tc10-solaise-2/

This type of work is usually done by locals so the jobs are often full time, not much chance of getting much skiing in during the week. WND AG in Zermatt are currently looking for a full time Junior ICT System Specialist http://www.jobszermatt.ch/de/diverses-handwerk/

Dave Mac wrote:Note, I am not discussing SCGB, but a typical TO hosting. Legally, there seems to be not too much between the cases.

I think this is the crux of the matter. The SCGB isn't really a club in the traditional sense anymore, it's a membership organisation comprising 3 companies; Ski Club Of Great Britain Ltd, Ski Club Services Ltd and Ski Club Winter Arrangements Ltd that employs 11 – 50 people depending on the time of year. They recently advertised for a Sales Executive "to drive sales of memberships, insurance and member holidays with the aim of aiding the Club to meet its ambitious membership and revenue targets" https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/156572571?trk=biz-overview-job-post Ski clubs on the continent don't operate like this.

Article L.212-1 is pretty clear, teaching, leading and training people for remuneration is the preserve of qualified instructors. Remuneration is described as any compensation in money or in kind that amounts to more than the reimbursement of justified expenses. Both the lower and appeal courts found that the expenses that the club leaders receive are greater than justified. I don't think most outdoor club leaders receive travel, accommodation and living expenses.

Now that the UK is going to leave the EU I doubt that there is much point in pursuing these cases. When the UK leaves the TOs will probably have to establish companies in the EU and any UK citizen wishing to obtain seasonal work with them will likely have to obtain a work permit http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/LSU/?uri=CELEX:32014L0036 I doubt if these will be issued to ski hosts or instructors who don't have recognised qualifications.

The flights are going to operate on 4 Saturdays in February 2017, on the first and the last weekend only one direction will be operated.

LX2540 SIR-LCY 10:30-11:20 _____6_ ERJ-190 11 Feb 17 - 25 Feb 17
LX2541 LCY-SIR 11:50-14:40 _____6_ ERJ-190 04 Feb 17 – 18 Feb 17

The route will be operated by Helvetic Airways on behalf of Swiss, flights are now bookable via the Swiss website enter London (Lon) and Sion (Sir) and the appropriate dates in the search boxes.

Until recently landing a commercial aircraft at Sion airport was quite challenging requiring an initial decent from 16,000ft on a steep 6 degree glide slope to avoid the mountains on either side. At 3000ft (by the hospital) the pilot had to make a turn and visually line up the aircraft with the runway in order to land.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1pu84CoMsM

Since February it's been possible to land there using a GPS approach system (RNAV (RNP 0.3)) on a much more comfortable 3.6 degree glide slope right down to the runway. Upgrading the instrument landing system would have been much too expensive, especially now that the air force won't be paying the airport
CHF 10 million a year to use it.

It's all pretty straight forward, I can't see what all the fuss is about, it's simply about tax avoidance.

In 1999 the European Commission added a point to Article 719(11)of Regulation (EEC) No 2913/9 the EU customs code, to allow the temporary importation of hire cars. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:31999R1662&from=EN

Because of abuse they withdrew it in 1915. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32015R0234&from=EN

On 1st May of this year the EU introduced a new customs code,
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_code/union_customs_code/ucc/introduction_en.htm
which carried over the amendment from 2015 see Article 215 on page 95
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32015R2446&from=EN

If you don't want to plough through all that, the relevant details can be found under:
"Driving a hired vehicle with non-EU registration plates in the EU"
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/travellers/enter_eu/index_en.htm

The Austrian web page that gave details of the 8 day rule has now been updated. https://english.bmf.gv.at/customs/travellers/travelling-vehicle.html

Bear in mind that as it's now illegal to drive a foreign hire car into the EU it might not be insured if you do so.

I wouldn't hold out much hope of the Swiss government sorting this out any time soon, since the Swiss people voted to limit immigration in 2014 the EU haven't been talking to us.

No need to walk if you go to Cervinia,
http://www.cervinia.it/pages/IMPIANTI_E_PISTE_CERVINIA_i_en/446

and you can ski for free.
http://www.cervinia.it/pages/SKI_FOR_FREE_en/3591

Fantastic conditions too.
http://cervinia.panomax.com/matterhorn[url]
http://cervinia.panomax.com/plateau-rosa#

It looks like the holidaymakers mentioned in the article were returning from destinations outside the EU.

"If you are travelling from a country outside the EU, you cannot bring any meat or dairy products into the UK unless you are travelling from the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland, when you are allowed a combined weight of up to 10kg per person".

"If you are travelling from a country within the EU, you may bring in any meat, dairy or other animal products."

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bringing-food-products-into-the-uk

At the moment UK skiers can bring back as much Reblochon and saucisson as they want, but in the not too distant future other rules might apply.

If you can get your relatives to take you to Geneva airport station to start your journey to Zermatt you could get a Swiss Transfer Ticket https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/swisstravelsystem/swiss-transfer.html and if you get a free Swiss Family Card the kids will travel free http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/tickets-for-guests-from-abroad/swiss-family-card.html

One of the best places to stop for lunch on the Italian side is Chalet Etoile http://www.chaletetoile.it/