J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Am always surprised at how many km people are looking for in a weeks skiing. I would consider myself ski fit (8+ weeks a year), train throughout year and ski faster than most. Never got bored, never out skied any resort in a week. Spent many a weekend at a Myrkdalen in Norway (300 vertical), 1 lift, 2 T bar and never managed to get bored of the place. Small resorts mean you can amuse yourself with ski drills, or just go skinning. Some of my best days skiing have been a single descent, having worked hard to earn it. Just doing laps on flat blues and over graded reds has no real interest for me. Like driving down a motorway in cruise control.

Boredom is a state of mind. I blame apps for the obsession with number of km in resort.

Think you should be considering Cervinia, with the glacier. Courmayeur has a decent base but is on the sunny side of Mt Blanc and gets a lot more Sun than North facing slopes of Grand Montets just through tunnel which will be open until May 8th ish.

Where are you staying? Personally I think the best piste skiing is in Flegere (10min bus) and or Les Houches. What time are you arriving, if you google Chamonix Bus then you can ensure don't waste time. Middle of the day frequency is normally less. Of course Brevant you can easily walk to from town, just walk uphill from Church for 5min.

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.

The low freezing temperatures are what is making this a truly amazing year, have been hovering <500m now for as long as I remember, giving all resorts amazing bases and maximizing vertical. 3 weeks left and then the finally 3 weeks skiing :-). Exactly 51 weeks since my miss hap. Skiing into May this year for the resorts with glaciers.

Completely with VSB. Middle class Britain would be up in arms, even make TV programs about plumbers, builders etc not being registered or qualified. Cannot see any logic why this is different. You may be on holiday but for people who work in the mountains it's their profession being undermined by effectively cheap labor. This has nothing to do with Nationality and never has, is about the French government respecting the standards they have requested. People have invested time and money to reach these standards and deserve governments full support. Chalets can still provide a service they will just need to be qualified as mountain guide or ski instructor. Amazingly this will not just apply to British tour operators as some people seem to suggest.

Guide is someone who is has IFMGA badge, not someone who can read a piste map.

Msej449 "amongst other things provide for guides". This is the problem where you don't have proper laws in place, already a blur.

An International mountain guide is a certified person, just like a International mountain leader is and ski instructor cannot take you on glacier. Boundaries are very clear, what they can do and where.

Why would having on your cv "skied 10 weeks with mum and dad, 2 weeks summer work experience" qualify you to do similar role.

All you are arguing about is less service for same money. You obviously pay for this in your Chalet/holiday fee, why would you not want it going to person who is qualified? Ah because real truth is British companies will not reduce their fees to accommodate law.