Latest posts for the topic "Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)"

Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 10:02:15 GMT

Looking to go somewhere in 2 weeks' time, and would like a resort where I can join other people to ski while my other half sits in a bar!

The Ski Club of GB used to be ideal for this, but thanks to the ESF's protectionist court action, that's more limited now.

Can anyone advise on resorts which offer ski guiding, but not lessons (old dog, new tricks, just want to piste bash these days).

We like the look of Arabba in the Italian Dolomites, but open to ideas for anywhere else with extensive intermediate ski-ing, great food and shortish transfers.

Thanks for any help!

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 10:10:54 GMT

I think that is called ski lessons. Good value for money, improve you skiing and easiest way to meet new people in resort. If you want to do some offpiste skiing join many of the ski mountaineering courses e.g BASS Chamonix, High Mounatin Guides etc etc. Am sure most resorts will have something similar.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 10:15:19 GMT

Errr, no it's not called ski lessons. Been there, done that for many years and don't really want to hang around while some geezer draws pictures in the snow with his ski pole.

It's called ski guides and any specific recommendations would be very welcome. SCGB are in Cervinia and Sauze for definite, but I'm looking for options elsewhere, particularly the Dolomites.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 11:29:14 GMT

My understanding is that 'ski hosting' as part of a pre-organised 'package holiday' have gone (in Europe).

Some tour operators are (apparently) helping to co-ordinate 'social skiing'. I think the principle is that they will group guests together (who have similar agendas) and help them plan a ski itinerary for the day.

I'm going with Mark Warner (tomorrow :D ) and hoping that they are doing this.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 11:57:20 GMT

Wengen, when booked with Crystal. They are emphatic there are not offering lessons. All good skiers and boarders, and adopt good safety protocol, ~ a leader, one at the back, and one or two in the middle to help out, if required.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:43:40 GMT

So what is this ESF's protectionist court action?

Neilsons used to do that, the reps used to say that they are going skiing anyone can come along, but that was three or four years ago, don't know if has changed.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:50:47 GMT

All the TOs seem to have stopped this now.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:15:51 GMT

PS you can always hire a local guide/instructor to take you off piste

PPS Just remembered while typing the PS, there was a Swiss tour company advertising for ski companions this year, was tempted to apply, will look if I still have details.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:38:36 GMT

elovabloke wrote:All the TOs seem to have stopped this now.

Alive and kicking in Soldeu.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 17:10:10 GMT

Most tour operators have stopped ski hosting in Italy, they were informed in September that it contravened Italian law.

The ESF did not bring the prosecutions, they were brought by the French authorities, under French (and Italian) law ski instruction is defined as paid accompaniment. The ESF is a civil party (partie civile), the French legal system offers people who have suffered injury as a result of another's violation of the law, the possibility to claim compensation. When the victim chooses to take this opportunity in a criminal proceeding, he declares himself a partie civile. The ESF is a cooperative, the local ski school directors and committees are elected annually, if they hadn't declared themselves as a civil party they would have risked losing their positions at the next election.

Some people employ an instructor just to guide them round a resort, make restaurant bookings for lunch etc., you don't have to have instruction if you don't want it. One of my friends works in Zermatt, he spends about 30% of his time doing this http://stoked.ch/en/ski-and-snowboard-school-zermatt/adults/vip-unlimited/

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 17:15:39 GMT

The original post and use of word 'guide' is reason for the whole mess in first place, that is an international qualification. Brits love to throw the dummy but ski instructor qualifications, Mountain Leader, Mountain Guide is no different to a driving licence and various levels of this. Grades of professional qualification which people have invested time and money into and should not be devalued. If you are looking for a ski companion make an APP, worked for non professional drivers who wanted to make some money.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20:59:59 GMT

Much of this is a mess.

Swingbeep accurately describes the situation in France.

Ranchero also offers some enlightenment, in how the situation developed, and, to be really fair, it is costly in time and money to gain one of the range of qualifications. One of my Niederau instructor friends, (yes, one of the two that took over my Niederau day run record :cry: ), has this summer completed the Mountain Gude qualification.

But the work he does with clients is a world away from skiing round resorts with a group of people, on well pisted runs, all within capability. Last season, in Wengen, I experienced my first European hosting session. It was little more than a series of social runs.

I can see no reason for trying to legislate for this. If this were to be, then surely I would be in trouble every season, where I am often at the head of a group of skiers. (Or at the back, where good mountaineers ought to be!) A good hosting situation covers the front, middle and back of the hosted group.

One thing is for sure. A group being hosted by good standard season skiers is much safer than some unorganised groups of folk on the mountain.

Ski hosting is predominantly a social event, and, from my only European experience, is wholly enjoyable.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sun, 11 Jan 2015 01:36:06 GMT

On original topic. Look at Collets and Mountain Sun in the Dolomites.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sun, 11 Jan 2015 09:29:42 GMT

Thanks for all the replies. I agree, it is a mess. Colletts look great, but flights are expensive for when we want to go.

Will try phoning Inghams, who appear to still be offering ski hosting in Italy and have availabiity from our local airport.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sun, 11 Jan 2015 19:36:53 GMT

I think Ingams have also stopped ski hosting in Italy
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/skiing-news/11241435/Ski-hosting-cancelled-in-Italy-as-prosecutions-loom.html

If any TOs are still offering ski hosting in Italy they are taking a big risk. According to article 18 of Italian law no. 81 "Legge-quadro per la professione di maestro di sci e ulteriori disposizioni in materia di ordinamento della professione di guida alpine", only qualified ski instructors or mountain guides can provide this service. As in France ski instruction / mountain guiding is defined as paid accompaniment ("l'accompagnamento retribuito di clienti"). As these are regulated professions abusive practice is subject to criminal sanctions. If the authorities catch someone working illegally they are prosecuted under article 348 of the penal code "Abusivo esercizio di una professione", they also use this law to prosecute people who practice medicine without a licence. In April the Senate voted to dramatically increase the penalties (I don't know if they have come into force yet) if found guilty you could be fined 10,000 - 50,000 Euros and imprisoned for up to 18 months, anyone employing an unqualified person can be fined the same amount and imprisoned for up to 2 years. If someone is killed or injured whilst being accompanied by an unqualified person the terms of imprisonment are up to 18 years in case of death and 3-12 years in case of injury.

If that wasn't bad enough, under article 2048 of the Italian Civil Code ski instructors / guides are responsible for any damage caused to third parties by their clients. If it was found that they were working illegally their insurance would most likely be void.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Sun, 11 Jan 2015 20:21:45 GMT

No inghams reps offer this in Italy anymore. A pop up appears when you book a holiday.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 19:40:35 GMT

SCGB still operates guides/leaders in several countries - Austria, Switzerland, US and Andorra. Crystal still operating their guiding service in limited countries, inc Norway. Club Med operates what is effectively guiding in all their resorts if you are good enough for their Group 4.

Re:Which resorts/companies have ski guiding, or group ski-ing (not lessons)

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:19:31 GMT

Ranchero_1979 wrote:The original post and use of word 'guide' is reason for the whole mess in first place, that is an international qualification. Brits love to throw the dummy but ski instructor qualifications, Mountain Leader, Mountain Guide is no different to a driving licence and various levels of this. Grades of professional qualification which people have invested time and money into and should not be devalued. If you are looking for a ski companion make an APP, worked for non professional drivers who wanted to make some money.

So what does everyone think of the French and Italian laws. Was there a need for this clamp down?

In my view it was fun going out with the tour guides for a bit of skiing, my favorite one was a few years ago a midnight ski with tourch lights - although they made us eat first then ski. Hiring a guide is just not the same.

Yet it is typical of the French and Italians to bring in laws to try and extract yet more money from the tourist.

I know the season is short but everywhere you go in the resort the prices are the same, you can not pre book lift passes at special offers unless in approved hotels, even if half of the resort is shut the lift prices stay high.

Are there not EU laws that prohibit setting of prices, cartels I guess you call them