Here at Snowplaza, we have been closely following the ski hosting ban story since its start. British-owned ski holiday operator Le Ski have had their neck on the block since early in 2013 and although many people, holiday-makers and those working in the ski industry alike, thought (and hoped) that the issue would be forgotten, this is clearly not the case. Recently in a French court in Albertville, the Le Ski ski hosting case continued and it clearly not over yet. Nick Morgan, co-founder of Le Ski, stated that the fight would go on…
The French court’s case against ski hosting is based on the following article - Article L.212-1 of the Sport Code in France states it is legal requirement to have a relevant qualification to teach or lead skiing groups if remunerated. In simple terms, this means that British ski tour operators (or any other ski tour operator for that matter) are no longer allowed to use paid ski hosts to guide their clients up on the slopes in French ski resorts.
French authorities and the ESF (Ecole de Ski Française) ski school took Le Ski to court for the first time last year over the issue of supplying ski hosting services. ESF claims that holiday-maker’s safety is compromised by the use of unqualified ski guides. In most cases, no actual ski lessons are given as the ski hosting service is more orientated towards giving advice and tips to get to know the local ski area and to make the most of the facilities and options available during a one-week ski holiday.
Simon Atkinson, Director of the ESF stated that “ESF has incorrectly been cited as being the organisation for taking the Le Ski to court for its own protectionism. It should be stressed that ESF has not brought the action in the French courts, but the Public Ministry’s (French Administration) did so in pursuing action against Le Ski for non-compliance with French regulations, after a Border Police Patrol Control found them to be contravening French law”. ESF has simply and rightly shown its support for French law and states “ESF is committed to ensuring the safety of UK tourists using French resorts for winter sports and reiterates its commitment to supporting the UK ski industry and will work with UK tour operators in finding workable solutions for lawful guiding on the French ski slopes”.
As mentioned in previous my articles, ski hosting is, and has been, an important part of the Brit’s ski holiday experience for the last 30 years. Social skiing is a cultural aspect highly appreciated by a large percentage of British holiday-makers during their ski holidays. Many a Brit skier has claimed they will ski elsewhere just to support the argument! And, of course, the larger tour operators such as Crystal Ski Holidays, Esprit Ski, Inghams Neilson, Ski Olympic, Ski Total, Skiworld and Thomson Ski have a tendency to side with Le Ski. Mark Warner state that “although this is not a perfect situation we will endeavour to operate winter (ski) hosting to the highest standard possible to enable our guests to get the most out of their ski holidays”.
Les Menuires
Last winter, Crystal introduced its Sundays-only ski-hosting service in 11 of the most popular French ski resorts. In collaboration with the Evolution 2 ski school, ski hosting services are offered by qualified instructors. In each of these resorts Crystal has chosen Evolution 2 as its main ski school partner, rather than the ESF.
Mark Warner state that the St Anton region of Austria has also followed suit so ski hosting in this popular Austrian ski resort won’t be possible under former conditions for the winter 2014/15 season. However, if you cannot go skiing without your ski host, then Italy is the place to be this winter – it’s business as usual for ski hosting in Italian ski resorts.
After a huge disappointment Le Ski intend to appeal against the ruling and will now take the case to the Supreme Court in Paris and, if necessary, to the European Court in Luxembourg. The ruling means that ski hosting services can now only be offered by fully qualified ski or snowboard instructors. Watch this space as we will continue to follow the ski hosting case closely to keep you up to date with all the latest information you need to get the most out of your next ski holidays.
Here at Snowplaza, we have been closely following the ski hosting ban story since its start. British-owned ski holiday operator Le Ski have had their neck on the block since early in 2013 and although many people, holiday-makers and those working in the ski industry alike, thought (and hoped) that the issue would be forgotten, this is clearly not the case. Recently in a French court in Albertville, the Le Ski ski hosting case continued and it clearly not over yet. Nick Morgan, co-founder of Le Ski, stated that the fight would go on…
The French court’s case against ski hosting is based on the following article - Article L.212-1 of the Sport Code in France states it is legal requirement to have a relevant qualification to teach or lead skiing groups if remunerated. In simple terms, this means that British ski tour operators (or any other ski tour operator for that matter) are no longer allowed to use paid ski hosts to guide their clients up on the slopes in French ski resorts.
French authorities and the ESF (Ecole de Ski Française) ski school took Le Ski to court for the first time last year over the issue of supplying ski hosting services. ESF claims that holiday-maker’s safety is compromised by the use of unqualified ski guides. In most cases, no actual ski lessons are given as the ski hosting service is more orientated towards giving advice and tips to get to know the local ski area and to make the most of the facilities and options available during a one-week ski holiday.
Simon Atkinson, Director of the ESF stated that “ESF has incorrectly been cited as being the organisation for taking the Le Ski to court for its own protectionism. It should be stressed that ESF has not brought the action in the French courts, but the Public Ministry’s (French Administration) did so in pursuing action against Le Ski for non-compliance with French regulations, after a Border Police Patrol Control found them to be contravening French law”. ESF has simply and rightly shown its support for French law and states “ESF is committed to ensuring the safety of UK tourists using French resorts for winter sports and reiterates its commitment to supporting the UK ski industry and will work with UK tour operators in finding workable solutions for lawful guiding on the French ski slopes”.
As mentioned in previous my articles, ski hosting is, and has been, an important part of the Brit’s ski holiday experience for the last 30 years. Social skiing is a cultural aspect highly appreciated by a large percentage of British holiday-makers during their ski holidays. Many a Brit skier has claimed they will ski elsewhere just to support the argument! And, of course, the larger tour operators such as Crystal Ski Holidays, Esprit Ski, Inghams Neilson, Ski Olympic, Ski Total, Skiworld and Thomson Ski have a tendency to side with Le Ski. Mark Warner state that “although this is not a perfect situation we will endeavour to operate winter (ski) hosting to the highest standard possible to enable our guests to get the most out of their ski holidays”.
Les Menuires
Last winter, Crystal introduced its Sundays-only ski-hosting service in 11 of the most popular French ski resorts. In collaboration with the Evolution 2 ski school, ski hosting services are offered by qualified instructors. In each of these resorts Crystal has chosen Evolution 2 as its main ski school partner, rather than the ESF.
Mark Warner state that the St Anton region of Austria has also followed suit so ski hosting in this popular Austrian ski resort won’t be possible under former conditions for the winter 2014/15 season. However, if you cannot go skiing without your ski host, then Italy is the place to be this winter – it’s business as usual for ski hosting in Italian ski resorts.
After a huge disappointment Le Ski intend to appeal against the ruling and will now take the case to the Supreme Court in Paris and, if necessary, to the European Court in Luxembourg. The ruling means that ski hosting services can now only be offered by fully qualified ski or snowboard instructors. Watch this space as we will continue to follow the ski hosting case closely to keep you up to date with all the latest information you need to get the most out of your next ski holidays.
Being lucky enough to have parents who were crazy about skiing, my love for the mountains started when I was 4 years old on our first family ski holiday to Austrian ski resort of Obergurl. One ski holiday a year was never enough and tears rolled down my face as I looked out the back window of the car on the drive down the valley on the way home!
