End to ski hosting in France

Colpam wrote:Give France a miss

:roll:

I think I will write a letter to the French government, explaining that whilst it is very kind of them to be concerned with my safety on the French ski slopes, the British ski hosts are no danger to me at all.

And then I will list what I consider to be the greatest dangers to people on the ski slopes, such as:

1. They should make sure no ski lesson classes have more than 8 pupils, because it becomes very dangerous when ski-ing in large classes.

2. All ski instructors, whatever nationality they are, should have to pass a proficiency test in the language of their pupils. I have had some French instructors with very poor English, and I know they teach Russians etc. when they only have a very rudimentary knowledge of their language. They should make a ski phrase book in several languages so that everyone can understand what their ski instructor says. This is one reason why many British people prefer to go to a British ski school - because the instructor will be English, and speak perfect English.

3. They should make sure the pistes are graded correctly. It is very dangerous to have difficult pistes, like that Santons one in Val d'Isere, graded as a blue. Lots of people fall over on it and they could be seriously hurt. It is no wonder that British people want ski hosts to take them around the French ski resorts when pistes are graded as badly as that.

I am sure I can think of a few more really dangerous things that the French government could sort out in French ski resorts.

Who do you reckon I should send my letter to?

Good thinking.I am sure that letter will do the trick and they will change their mind. Maybe send to all the UK travel agents (Snapzzz is up on them so may have the contact details) and get them to fight your corner too :thumbup:

Good work :thumbup:

Ranchero_1979 wrote:I sit on the other side. Is incredibly difficult for instructors to gain enough experience to progress through system and work in France. As such I completely understand why they would want to ensure maximum number of people take lessons. That might mean them having to slightly alter their business model to meet British customer needs but makes perfect sense to me.

Also we have to remember the French set a high standard for you to be an instructor, does not require you to be of a given Nationality to meet standard. Just ensures the dedication to be a professional is there. Reality is someone who did 5 week basic instructor course in Canada cannot be compared to a French qualified instructor who has spent several years learning the trade. To ensure these dedicated people have a viable career is in interest of everyone.

TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THIS ^^^^

The point is that people that enjoy hosting are not looking for an alternative to lessons, they often do not need nor want lessons. They just want a social environment to ski with other capable people.

This is just about money.....plain and simple.
Whilst in Morzine last week ESF had posters up an flyers around offering a tour of the pistes, no instruction, from 1pm-5pm. 34 euros.
That is what it is all about, they want the exclusive on a blossoming trend. Simple as.

Iceman wrote:Good thinking.I am sure that letter will do the trick and they will change their mind. Maybe send to all the UK travel agents (Snapzzz is up on them so may have the contact details) and get them to fight your corner too :thumbup:

Good work :thumbup:

I suppose I would have to send a copy of it to The Times, or somewhere, as well, so they didn't just ignore it.

I mean - if you had to list the 10 most dangerous things you've come across on French ski slopes, would British ski hosts and their clients figure on it?

Now, that's a point. Had not thought of that. What about some of the SKI & Snowboard magazines? They must know a few people?

"Whilst in Morzine last week ESF had posters up an flyers around offering a tour of the pistes, no instruction, from 1pm-5pm. 34 euros.
That is what it is all about, they want the exclusive on a blossoming trend. Simple as"
This is very relevant,Snapzzz, and goes a longway to explaining their actions.

Dave Mac wrote:"Whilst in Morzine last week ESF had posters up an flyers around offering a tour of the pistes, no instruction, from 1pm-5pm. 34 euros.
That is what it is all about, they want the exclusive on a blossoming trend. Simple as"
This is very relevant,Snapzzz, and goes a longway to explaining their actions.

Im sure i could try and get a pic.