The continuing battle between Ski Cocktail and the French legal authorities last week reached unprecedented levels.

As reported on Natives in November, Ski Cocktail have been maintaining that there is no 'substantial difference' between British and French instructor qualifications.  This interpretation means that the company is open to employ British instructors, a service that their mainly British clientele have indicated they prefer.

Last week however, a preliminary hearing found against Ski Cocktail.  While this is now going to appeal, it has considerably increased tension in resort.  Ski Cocktail instructors and staff have been verbally abused on and off the slopes by ESF employees; their meeting point signs were stolen and the locks to their Méribel office were filled with Super-Glue.

In addition, the managing director of the company, Jean Yves Lapeyrere was held in prison without charge or the right to legal advice for 20 hours before being released.  

Ski Cocktail have been in business for 13 years and has previously taken the ESF successfully to court over the right to set up an independent ski school in competition with them.  The current legal battle resumes on 20 March and is likely to run for at least another 18 months.  

In the meantime, British skiers can still take lessons and hire equipment from Ski Cocktail shops in Val, Courchevel and Méribel.  M Lapeyrere remains defiant: 'It is in their [the ESF] interests to limit the numbers of ski instructors so that wages can be kept high.  The ESF attitude is bullshit and stinks of protectionism.'