J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by aharwood

I know we are talking generalities here which is always dangerous. I think we all know that in all walks of life there are people who are good at their jobs and some who are not and this must also apply to ski instructors, whether they are French or Austrian. However, my generalisation was based in several years in both France and Austria. I have had some fairly decent French instructors but not as a rule. As far as BASI is concerned I know quite a few very good BASI instructors and one or two exceptionsl ones. However, we have a different system and it cannot be as advanced as those countries in Europe which actually have large industries based around skiing unlike Britain where we have 5ish small areas which are limited by the amount of time they have decent snow on which to ski, teach, instruct or whatever. So no offence meant to any good French, British or Moldovian ski instructors who enjoy their job and do it well.

I'm afraid you are not correct here. There is an international agreement between European Countries regarding intstructors instructing in another country, however, our system based around BASI is nowhere near as advanced in terms of levels and requirements as some European countries. The Austria system is different and unique to Austria as is the French etc etc. Having skied more in France than Austria, my experience of the French instructors is not based on one or two trips. I have had in excess of 20 large groups in France and with the exception of one or two instructors my experience was fairly uniform. My assessment of the Aurstrians is based on many conversations with one of the Chief trainers for the top level instructors in Upper Austria. Admittedly I have not had similar converstations with the French. However, 10 years of experence in Austria and I have not had one poor instructor for any of my groups.

8)Hi guys, In response. Have skied throughout Europe and have settled on Austria for last few years because where we stay in the Sports complex really suits our kids as they are able to play sport 'till their hearts content, even after a full day on the slopes. The accommodation is excellent as is the food. Finally, I take large group parties to Austria (30 - 40 young people) In France we have been unable to get instruction for the whole day. I have only found ski schools who will do 2 X 2 hour slots with unsupervised lunch. Sometimes they want 2 hours between lessons. On occasions they can't start the lesson untill 11.00am so we have to manage 40 beginners until then! Our first visit to Austria was a revelation. They start when we want them to, and ski with their group all day, with a supervised lunch to help them order etc. Their preparation for ski instructors is very intensive including a second language, local geology, flora and fauna etc so they are very knowledgable. They obviously have a grading system depending upon the level of the learner. 1st level can only teach beginners up to plough/braking turns, level 2 up to basic parallel...etc.

Will no doubt go back to France as I love the food and language and the French people, but not impressed with instruction experiences. When carvers first arrived on the scene, took a private one to one in France with an instructor at some expense. His methodology was....'Follow me'.... I came back with very little feedback or technical imput, partly because his English was not very good and his main goal seemed to be to show me how fast he could ski. My French was ok conversationally but he could have used other teaching methods to get instruction across. So all in all Austria suits my needs just now while kids are skiing with me and also the needs of the large groups I take across.

should have added that night life in Gosau or Obertraun where we stay (not to be confused with Obertauren) is non existent. We stay at fantastic sports complex in Obertraun as our kids are sports mad. Can play football, table tennis, table football, badminton etc etc. Food stunning. Sports centre called Bundisport.

I have skied Austria for last 10 years. We ski in Gosau. Fantastic conditions even when other resorts are struggling. Instructors in Austria are the best in world especially compared to French who are generally not interested in much but their own skiing. Krippenstein is also good for off piste and 2nd longest run in Europe at 12km. Highly recommended.