Hi just back from half term week in nendaz where having overcome some of the queuing problems with planned timings, we had some great fun on a couple of the itineraries. However following a lunch time discussion I started thinking about my insurance cover which only covers on piste. I rang insurance broker who said I was covered on piste and couldn't tell me if itinerary was on or off piste. Spoke to crystal rep who gave me a predictable defensive liability response about adequate insurance, but also couldn't tell me if they were classed as on or off piste. A couple we met said they had been told that they would be classed as on piste, but that was anecdotal. In addition the whole area was blessed with short " soft off piste" opportunites between and at the side of marked pistes which looked great fun, but were in the main avoided as I am fairly sure would be classed as off piste for insurance. The bottom line is I think my level of skiing requires a more specialist insurer and would welcome any recommendations.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Personally I think itineraries are 'marked runs', avalanche controlled and should therefore be covered by insurance. But that's only my opinion! You would need to speak to someone knowledgeable in your insurance company who could give you a definitive answer, preferably in writing - best of luck with that!
Direct Travel covers for off-piste without a guide - we claimed for medical expenses with them last year with no problems.
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?
I think the status of itineraries varies by country (and resort even?). For Switzerland I agree with cathy, I don't think that's the case in France though. I've got Direct Travel too.
Firstly, Verbier does not control its itineraries. They will open and shut them and will come and get you if you hurt yourself but they do not conduct control measures. They are explicit about this on the warning boards at the top of the trails and on the piste map. There are one or two exceptions to this - e.g. the gazex above the Chassoure traverse but and I'm open to correction here, that is positioned to defend the gondola towers.
The actual danger level varies - some of them people routinely ski without avi gear and can do so in reasonable safety, others - especially l'Eteygeon, Vallon d'Arbi and Mt Gele, I would be taking the usual precautions. This is somewhere in close proximity to l'Eteygeon giving someone a very bad day: http://youtube.com/v/6qVwIuznFW0 .
I use the BMC Alpine cover and have also used Snowcard. Friends have used Direct Travel and report them as cheaper.
That said, I'm glad you enjoyed your time out here. Out of idle interest - did you get the Mt Fort bumps run ticked off?
My gut feeling is that it is not a piste from an insurance point of view and is some form of 'controlled off piste' rather than a gnarly piste, otherwise it would be called a piste and given a category of green, blue, red or black. It has been suggested that ski resorts have de-classified runs from pistes to itinerary to reduce (legal) liablilty, did Tortins used to be classed as a piste some time ago ?.
If you give an insurance company a chance not to pay, then they will take it
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
rayscoops, the warning board at the top of each itinerary begins with "this is not a piste" or variants thereof in four different languages. It goes on to advise that the itinerary is not controlled, that it may be dangerous at any time and that it should be skied with a mountain guide or an experienced mountaineer. Almost everyone ignores this but if an insurance company wanted to cut up rough, I suspect this would be a logical place to start.
After all it is free
After all it is free
gorilla, yes that is what I recall at the top of Tortins etc. a few years ago, so much so that I took a photo of it
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Nadenoodlee, no they won't. They won't get involved beyond selling you thier own insurance, which is all they guarantee to know about.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
gorilla, Not making excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!but had a look on day one from col des gentianes and assessed it as some build up required, come back another day. Mistake. I then had a few goes at the Plan de Fou itinerary and loved that, albeit lost 4 - 2 to my son. Then did the itinerary from Chassoure to Tortin and once on it loved that. My son went straight on whilst I chose to traverse and traverse and traverse some more before i got the nerve to jump on. That run down to Tortin was amazing. We had a look at the top of the itinerary that goes from the top of Greppon Blanc down to the Les masses side, but thought better of it as was part of a more mixed group that day and the entry looked a bit exposed. Anyway last day and the plan was to do Mont Fort. Got the 0810 bus from Nendaz to Siviez, weather was poor and link to Mont Fort was shut!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe it reopened later but weather remained pretty poor and I lost the mojo. All that said we had some tremedous fun on the more challenging terrain and feel that we have come on as a result, hence the insurance question. Cheers.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I use MCI - they include off-piste in their excel package. Never had to claim (thank heavens / touch wood / etc.) so can't comment on claiming but I'm like you - like the freedom of being able to explore
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.
Parkyparcours, is that with a guide or without a guide ?
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
mfamily2, sounds like you had a good week. Traversing round Chassoure is often the best option - the snow improves as you get closer to col des Mouches (the next thing round at the end of the traverse). Wouldn't worry about the Mt Fort bumps - they will still be there next year and, frankly Chassoure is (I think) a more challenging piece of skiing.
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