Ski hosting with your chalet operators’s rep has long been a favourite part of the week for British holiday makers in the Alps. It’s a great opportunity to socialise with other guests, and it enables you to put the piste map away and trust your guide to show you the best runs in resort.

The service is still available in Austria, but it was banned in the French Alps last year for an apparent breach of French Law. The ESF have been very vocal in their backing of the decision, arguing that ski hosts should be Level 4 qualified ski instructors to provide a service comparable to their own ski guiding.

Le Ski, who are the defendants in the case (that has now reached the Court of Appeal in Chambery), argue that because there is no actual instruction during the hosting, no qualifications are necessary. This is an opinion shared by most chalet owners and guests in the Alps.  

We were hoping for a decision in the Courts before the upcoming season but unfortunately, in true French fashion, the decision has been postponed until next May, due to the complexities of the issues involved – so no ski hosting in Val d’Isère this season. If you fancy some guiding, we recommend using the The Development Centre (TDC) in resort.