Ski Club leader service remains suspended in France
The Ski Club of Great Britain has been forced to suspend its popular ski leader service in France for at least a further six to eight weeks while it waits for the outcome of a court case against one of its volunteer leaders in France.
Ken Piddlesden was stopped on the piste in the resort of Val d’Isere in April and charged with breaking the French Code du Sport, which requires anyone instructing, leading or guiding groups to have an appropriate qualification if they’re paid.
The Ski Club has argued that as their leaders are non-remunerated volunteers, the charge is ‘misguided and inappropriate’.
Following a hearing at a court in Albertville on Monday, Ski Club chief exectutive Frank McCusker said he was ‘cautiously optimistic’ yet aware that the club was ‘likely’ to have to take the case to a higher court.
"We will continue to defend our leader and at the same time protect the Club’s ability to lead in a volunteer capacity in the French Alps. We’re respectful of the French judicial process and hope that the result of this hearing will see common sense prevail," he said.
"We thank everyone who is supporting our Leader and the Ski Club in defending the Club’s longstanding concept of social skiing."
The outcome of the hearing will be delivered in six to eight weeks and the Ski Club said that while it will not be able to offer leading until then, it will have ‘Ambassadors’ available in 11 French resorts to meet members every morning to advise on the best routes.
The leader service, which is one of the main attractions of Ski Club membership, will still be available in other countries worldwide.
UK ski operators are also fighting a ban on ski hosting in France following the arrest of a Le Ski employee in Courchevel last year.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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