J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyhull

Ranchero_1979 wrote:I love all this French bashing. This ruling has nothing to do with French Nationalism. They don't care who teaches, guides etc in France just want you to have correct qualifications. As we have a minimal ski industry in UK people seem to be missing point. Try thinking of it from a different perspective.

British manufacturer of anything works to a standard say ISO 9001, company from abroad or at home comes in and works to a lesser standard destroying British business and reputation. In these circumstances any company or worker within that company would wish for clarification on what standards are required so they can cut their cloth accordingly. I believe the French have clarified this. That means anyone from any nation now has a level playing field. Workers and companies investment in skills has been protected. Has nothing to do if you enjoy a bit of company on your holiday or biscuit with your tea.

Interestingly for all the anti French sentiment, they still work less hrs, have better standard of living, better wine, food etc i.e. Keep on moaning so they can keep on smiling in knowledge British will still come and fund their lifestyle, because they have best skiing terrain in world.

Viva France. I am actually English but at risk of offending someone seems like a lot of little man/small Island type mentality on this topic.

But the French are insisting that people that don't instruct are qualified to instruct. French law states that if they are getting paid they need to be qualified, the trouble is there is no qualification available for the job of ski host. They want them to be vastly over qualified, when the training they already get is sufficient for the responsibility they have.

To get something cheap but snowsure you're going to need to get a late booking.

I think the most I've ever paid for ski carriage is £20 both ways.
I'd never go back to hiring skis, unless I fancied renting a pair of powder skis for a day.

All of those issues with St Anton are valid, though I don't believe any of them prevent the resort being the best for expert skiers. The terrain and extent of the off piste more than make up for the odd queue.

I'll be in Mayrhofen that week, part of a 34 strong group. Come and say hello if you choose to go there.
We tend to get very lucky with the weather/snow conditions!

I wonder what the resort management and other businesses think of this move? At a time when visitor numbers are down, I'm sure they are far from keen on anything that encourages visitors to go elsewhere.

verbier_ski_bum wrote:

andyhull wrote:I think ESF will be seeing a big drop in referrals from British TOs. The independent ski schools should do very well out of this.

The EFS is much cheaper to book, referrals to independent ski schools will lead to price increase. I am not sure public will like it too much, the whole attraction of ski hosting is that it's "free" i.e. packed into the price of the tour with additional service provided by one of the workers. Otherwise I can see what the fuss is about. If it wasn't free no-one would care if guides are wearing ESF or chalet uniforms.

Ski hosting is an opportunity to get to know your hosts too. I've had some very memorable days skiing on hosting days.
I'm looking forward to using the service in Mayrhofen in a couple of weeks, it's somewhere I haven't been before so it's a real bonus to get shown around the area.
It's a very popular service with the group I organise, a lot of people were disappointed in January that Skiworld had suspended their hosting in 3 Valleys.
Certainly something we need to take into account when choosing resorts for next season.

Yesterday a French court ruled that British tour operators are not allowed to offer ski hosting to show customers around the local slopes, the Albertville court ruled that skier safety is compromised.

British Tour Operator, Le Ski, were taken to court as a test case and the ruling means that no British companies can now offer the service. Le Ski's founder, Nick Morgan, has confirmed they will appeal the ruling.

Morgan said: "as we expected the court in Albertville has taken the side of the locals and the protectionist agenda of the ESF. We will be appealing and the case now goes to a court in Chambery. The fight goes on and we will take this all the way."

"We are determined to carry on and we are not prepared to see British ski hosting outlawed. By taking the British on in this way the French Authorities, and the ESF, have created a problem where there really wasn't one."

Crystal Ski, the UK tour operator, said: "Crystal Ski is disappointed with today's court ruling, however, we are pleased to hear that the tour operator has decided to appeal. We have temporarily suspended our social skiing service in France whilst this process goes through the courts. We have never seen social skiing as a replacement for a ski school as social skiing is where a representative from the holiday company takes guests on familiarisation tours of the slopes, show them good lunch spots and how to avoid the queues. They do not go on black runs or off piste and stick to gentle slopes. No instruction is given."

The court has banned the practice, stating that it breaks French law which requires leaders of organised groups on the ski slopes to be either a qualified ski or snowboard instructor. The case was supported by the national ski school, Ecole du Ski Francais (ESF).

Through a PR firm in London, the ESF has given its reaction to the decision of the court: "This is not an ESF led court action, but the organisation has rightly shown its support for French law to be upheld and that for those organisations using hosting or other personnel to 'guide' such people must possess a valid qualifications to do so."

Though there are many skiers who don't use the service, those that enjoyed the on mountain ski hosting will now have to consider skiing in Austria or Switzerland if they want hosting as part of their holiday.