 Poster: A snowHead
|
veeeight wrote:
| Quote: |
Wow! You guys seriously need to get with an instructor in Canada. There are no restrictions within the ski area boundary, which include steeps, cliffs, gullys, couloirs, etc.etc.
|
What level of Canadian instructor is allowed to do this? I'm just wondering because it'd be pretty scary putting your life in the hands of a level 1 or 2 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
veeeight,
There are no restrictions in the alpes. You go where you want....literally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| Quote: |
What level of Canadian instructor is allowed to do this?
|
Generally speaking, if you're in a higher level lesson (4-6), and doing the sort of terrain mentioned above, you won't be getting a L1 or L2.....
| Quote: |
You go where you want....literally
|
Of course. But the consequences should things not go to plan, are probably different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| veeeight wrote: |
| But the consequences should things not go to plan, are probably different. |
veeeight, yeah, the helicopter doesn't take you back up the mountain again... 
CMH
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| veeeight wrote: |
Wow! You guys seriously need to get with an instructor in Canada. There are no restrictions within the ski area boundary, which include steeps, cliffs, gullys, couloirs, etc.etc. |
In France the instructor can take you onto steeps, couloirs, gulletys, etc, etc also. They are not allowed to take you off-piste skiing on a glacier. To do this you have to be with a mountain guide.
As for the original question, the best way to get better from an "advanced skier" starting base is to ski, ski, ski. How many days did you ski this past year ? I reckon if you did 30 - 40 days on snow, you will be better that you were last year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| veeeight wrote: |
| Wow! You guys seriously need to get with an instructor in Canada. There are no restrictions within the ski area boundary, which include steeps, cliffs, gullys, couloirs, etc.etc. |
hadn't realised instructors could take you into the permenantly closed areas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
veeeight,
You don't undertake that lightly....... but if you hire a UIAGM, you have it all covered. Some ski better than others...and a lot are
climbers first and foremost so their skiing can be ..well, not, what you might think, but they are very very sorted.
If you pay 300eu per guide for a 6 man group, you will have a memorable day. They don't teach as such... but if you watch them they are an education in themselves. Most people who use them, don't need a lesson but may need pointers on the day.
And since you ( the group) are all in it together, it is in everyones interest to nurse the group along
I am sure you know all this.
I am sure that the original poster just needs a few pointers and he has most of the skiing covered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
markymark, stick to getting your instruction in France at least you know you will have an ISTD level instructor..... go to austria and you might get an instructor no more qualified than your BASI mate that you can already ski with for free
|
Because of course the Austrians have had no success in alpine skiing in recent years at all
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
BGA, hold on, the topic has moved on from there - we are now at "you're better to get instruction from a ski guide who isn't an instructor, but is in France, than you are to go with an instructor in Canada, because Canada isn't France", please, try to keep up! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| veeeight wrote: |
Of course. But the consequences should things not go to plan, are probably different. |
For some people this is this not what they want? Leaving the resort behind them to enjoy the mountain in its untamed glory. However, to do this safely requires a completly different set of skills that are beyond the average instructor syllabus. I know that if venturing "way" off piste I'd feel more confident in a qualified guides ability to get me down safely and to demonstrate how to than an instructor.
This has nothing to do with the subject of this thread, however, and is more an idle musing on the subject of instructor v guide which probably deserves a completely different discussion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| veeeight wrote: |
| Quote: |
What level of Canadian instructor is allowed to do this?
|
Generally speaking, if you're in a higher level lesson (4-6), and doing the sort of terrain mentioned above, you won't be getting a L1 or L2.....
| Quote: |
You go where you want....literally
|
Of course. But the consequences should things not go to plan, are probably different. |
You mean like the Durrand Glacier avalanche?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BGA, be aware though that in Austria they have "guides" who are Skifuehrer - a local Austrian qualification; from my experience I am MUCH happier with a UIAGM. In the back country I'd be much happier with a UIAGM than an instructor, but as Arno has said you can find those who are both. Without exception the French UIAGMs I've had have all been excellent skiers even if mountaineers first and foremost - mostly did the whole racing thing when they were kids and then got bored of that, and I'd be quite happy taking pointers on how to cope with what's in front of me from pretty much all of them.
Again from my experience, JT's comment does apply more to Brit UIAGMs - but I've also had some who are also excellent skiers, and while not "instructing" have given me some very useful tips. I'm led to believe that Graham Austick in St Anton is the only Brit who is both UIAGM and ISTD.
WTFH may grow up one day - but I'm not holding my breath!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
GrahamN, if "growing up" means denying that anyone outside of France knows anything about skiing, then I hope and pray I never grow up and become so insular. It's a shame on an international forum that suggesting the possibility that there are good ski instructors outside of France should be met with such antagonism.
Unfortunately I'm not as flexible as to be able to put my head in the required position to agree with you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
GrahamN,
I am thinking about the UIAGM's in Monte Rosa....all of them bomb-proof and a great comfort in the mountains
but not the emphiasis on skiing as say, Manu and Francois in Le Grave.
The best skiers, IME, have been a heli guide in Cervinia...I'll post a video of him, and a guy called Rudi from Zermatt, from the ski school. Was not that enamnoured with the Valluga guide in St A but since the trip got called off, I can't really judge.
If I went back to Monte R, I'd like Roberto from Alagne, Carlo or Alex...but I'd be confident about anyone from the House of Dufour... If we go back to LG nect year, I'd like to get Manu or even Joe Suitcase......who is american btw.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Is this such a controversial question? I would have thought the answer to how a good skier can get better is fairly obvious: more skiing (in whatever part of the world takes your fancy), more instruction (from a fully qualified instructor, preferably on personal recommendation ofsomeone you trust ) and extend your terrain (probably best with a guide). I'd say that all three are essential if you want to improve all aspects of your skiing, to become a fully rounded 'advanced' skier. But if you want to specialise in one area (eg trainee instructor or backcountry expert) then perhaps you don't need to be quite so comprehensive in your efforts to improve.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Thank god I am stuck on the plateau below. This advanced one sounds very complex 
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
Frosty the Snowman, we are all stuck on a plateau ... but some of us are gazing (sideways) at the stars 
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian, You really should invest in a helmet One more knock as they say and..........
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
|
Frosty the Snowman, I have 3 (cycling, kayak, skiing). You should see the size of my chinstrap
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian, shouldn't that be chinsstrap
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Frosty the Snowman, don't judge everyone by your own standards
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
and what's wrong with being stuck on a plateau ..........
I'll get me coat!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
boredsurfin, nothing, if you've got a corkscrew, and a good bottle of wine... (which reminds me, must PM Michelle about the latest purchases from Bordeaux)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
And a nice plateau of local charcuterie and cheeses (would prefer French to US or Canadian)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Frosty the Snowman, totally agree with you there. (although I find one choucroute a year to be about my limit - I'll stick to Tarte Flambe with chevre chaud & ail) ...and we're back to goats again!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
boredsurfin, no, I've got another load for the BBQ.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| Wear The Fox Hat wrote: |
| boredsurfin, no, I've got another load for the BBQ. |
At this rate you will have to hire a van to get it all down there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
boredsurfin, do you know anyone with a mondeo estate, or something like that, which we could fill with wine?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Wear The Fox Hat wrote: |
| boredsurfin, no, I've got another load from B&Q. |
To build a barbie?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frosty the Snowman, everyones comments, although good natured seems to have an axe to grind , myself included
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
skimottaret, Well, up to the last lot of silliness, the thread had just got round to the virtues of guides v instructors which was pretty relevant to the original posters goal, I'd say. But then, some are just after upping their post count.
If markymark thinks my coments frivolous, I'll apologise for hijacking his thread.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JT, you havent been frivolous at all, reading the early posts though quite a few peeps were very opinionated and perhaps put off the person looking for help.
the guide versus instructors bit was getting interesting.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
