A UK ski chalet operator has lost an appeal against a French ban on ski hosting.
Le Ski now has five days in which to lodge an appeal to the supreme court in Paris, which it hopes to do with the agreement of other operators caught up in the long-running row.
The dispute began in February 2013 when Le Ski was told by a court in Albertsville that the practice of ski hosting was contrary to French law and that leaders of organised groups on the French Alps must be qualified ski or snowboard instructors.
The practice of ski hosting is geared towards guiding tourists on the slopes with an employee from a tour operator rather than providing lessons.
Twelve British winter sports operators – Alpine Elements, Crystal Ski Holidays, Esprit Ski, Inghams, Mark Warner, Neilson, Ski Olympic, Ski Total, Skiworld and Thomson Ski – joined forces for the appeal hearing in Chambery, which was originally heard in July.
Many have boycotted Ecole de Ski Francais, the official ski school provider in France.
Responding to the judgment, the 12 operators said in a joint statement: “We are very disappointed to report that Le Ski’s Chambery appeal against the ski hosting ruling has been rejected.
“The court did uphold part of the appeal referring to Le Ski’s insurance policy which it confirmed did cover the company for ski hosting.
“The court also substantially reduced the amount of damages which had been awarded to the Ecole du Ski Français.”