Ski Guiding in Méribel

Hi everyone and welcome to another article from your favourite blogging Méribel Ski Instructor and Ski Guide. We are definitely into Autumn now, with cooler temperatures, an increase in enquiries and also an uptick in messages and emails from the ski school. In fact I've just realised that in only six weeks I'll be heading back to the French Alps to start another ski season! This week I'm talking about something I'm being asked to do more and more of each winter, ski guiding. All photos were taken over the last couple of winters by the way......

My early days of being a ski teacher/instructor in the 3 Valleys ski area were dominated by providing group instruction before I developed more into private instruction. This of course requires observation of someone's ski technique, and working out a plan to help them become better skiers and with more confidence. But around ten years or so ago, I was being asked if I could ski guide people around the massive ski area including Méribel, Courchevel and the Val Thorens valley. The 3 Valleys is of course the biggest ski area in the world. In fact, in the last five years I'm being asked to ski guide more than ever. I would say around 25% of my work each winter will now be ski guiding.

This is great news. Why? Well, I can't think of a better thing to do helping guide people around this huge skiing paradise. What a fun and rewarding job to have?

In recent years Méribel and Courchevel have really become very cosmopolitan, with more nationalities visiting than ever before. For example we are seeing people come from Australia, Brazil, Mexico, India, a big increase from Middle Eastern countries, and of course skiers (and snowboarders) from Canada and the USA. There's been a significant increase in skiers coming over from the United States the last few years. What has this got to do with ski guiding?

For those coming on a long haul flight from quite a distance away, they really want to maximise their time whilst on holiday. In some cases, these skiers have never skied in Europe. Why do I mention this? The skiing and ski areas in Europe can feel very different to sliding in Australia, Canada and the United States. Often in Europe, ski areas are considerably bigger than elsewhere. For those of us who are regular skiers in the 3 Valleys, we get used to its size. Skiers who have never skied anywhere like this before could easily be intimidated by the sheer scale of it!

Some of those coming to Méribel and Courchevel may have heard about how many excellent mountain restaurants there are. Their hotels might reserve some of these restaurants, but a ski guide  can do this as well. Finding these mountain restaurants can be a challenge to someone new to the area. So having someone with local knowledge navigating, and planning how long it might take (depending on skier ability and speed) can be a huge comfort.

Piste maps (trail maps) are still available in this digital age, so it is possible for skiers to navigate the mountain whilst reading the maps and piste signs. Some people love this aspect of skiing somewhere new. But it isn't for everyone. Especially those who don't want the pressure of accidentally going the wrong way, especially if there's poor visibility. The piste signage is pretty good, but it can still be a little confusing.

There are also some very clever apps that track your location on the mountain. The tools are out there that can help. Or you can book a ski guide who has extensive knowledge of the ski area. Even during any busy holiday periods, it is possible to find some quiet places. Piste maps and tracking apps don't tell you about these quieter places. A ski guide will know which pistes get chopped up quickly,and which ones stay in good condition during the day. Knowing which pistes are facing North can be priceless.

I absolutely love ski guiding around Méribel, and get real pleasure showing other skiers how wonderful a ski area it is. I hope you found this article helpful, especially if you haven't visited Méribel before? And isn't it nice looking at photos of people skiing, with a big smiles on their faces, and lovely fluffy snow. The ski season isn't far away now. Right, that'll do for the moment. Do make sure you come back soon, or follow me on the Socials. It's credo time again..... all together now...... Live With Passion. Martin.