Skiing off piste during lessons.

Guys, opinions please.

I am currently in the PDS and taking group lessons with ESF, class 3.
This week we have been skiing mostly off piste but firmly within the resort boundaries.
Should i be concerned that the instructor has given us no safety advice and no one carries any safety equipment for off piste skiing.

I know that there are low risk areas but surely this is bad practice.

For those that that know the area yesterday we were skiing knee deep powder in the corridors to the right off the swiss wall (as you look at it).

This is my first time in such areas and although i enjoyed it there was something in my mind that was saying 'this isn't right'

Am i being silly?

Yes. Just enjoy it. It sounds like great fun.

Snapzzz wrote:Am i being silly?

Not at all - you're right to question it; understanding why your instructor considers it safe will be informative.

It's possible (likely?) that the particular routes he took you down are made safe as they're close to a popular piste for good skiers. It might also be that those slopes are known locally to be "safe", due to frequent use packing the snow / not being exposed above or below / never having slid in living memory...

The recent warmth, followed by re-freeze and new snow should have stabilised the weak layer from early season at mid and low altitudes but it's all about the local conditions.

In short, ask him why it's safe? 8)

"If in doubt, back out" ...and if it's safe... get in and enjoy! Sounds like you are... :thumbup:

Ask the instructor why he/she considers it safe - as Adders says.
Instructors are not infallible.

Hope you enjoy the skiing.

What would be the insurance situation should there be a nasty injury - if your cover does not include off-piste?

Well one of beauties of skiing in France is that all instructors are qualified to take you offpiste and hence is something they discuss.

Right now conditions are good, warm weather did a lot of damage and lots of the high risk slopes triggered (look at all the crowns). People have then re-skied the fresh snow "inbounds", really mixing up the layers. Chances of triggering something now <30 deg and near side of piste is very low indeed. Strong foehn today before more snow will help stabilize recent snowfall. People were reporting >waist deep powder on the VB yesterday which must be pretty epic indeed.

Huwcyn wrote:What would be the insurance situation should there be a nasty injury - if your cover does not include off-piste?

Then you won't be covered, and you'll be in for a big bill. Simples as the meerkat says.

But most policies do cover off-piste with a guide/instructor and I'm sure Snapzzz has that covered.

A timely reminder for everyone to check exactly what their insurance does cover though... before you need it!

I think when you are taking the lesson you are insured in case of accident. You can ask instructor, but you won't be taken anywhere considered dangerous. You probably should ask in any case just to get better understanding of terrain and conditions.