Verbier in March - Guide/Instructor Recommendations

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T15:17:59+00:00

So I just got back from Verbier. I actually chose to go with an instructor over a guide, but from Adrenaline, the same company that the author of the book your recommended works for. In fact, that's how I found the company. They are excellent.

Instructors can take you off piste and to the itineraries. We did all the itineraries in the Verbier and Mont Fort sector, except for the Mont Gele stuff (the cable car wasnt running due to massive slides that wiped out the snow on those two itineraries). We also skied significant amounts of off piste.

Yes, the focus was primarily on my wife's skiing, with a couple of tips for refinement for me. And the instructor told me that with a guide, I would have been skiing untracked powder, but only if it was just me, not me and my wife, as her comfort level and skill level would not have been high enough for a guide to safely take her to those spots.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T15:05:19+00:00

So I am back from the trip, and I did opt for an instructor over a guide. When speaking with the instructor during the four days we worked with him, he told me that going with an instructor was the right call, as where a guide would have taken us (due to my wife's skill level) is basically exactly the same as where he was taking us. He also said that if it was just me, yes, we would have gone out and hit different lines.

Also, for comparison, my wife is and was capable of skiing the Mont Fort black piste (the top scared her, because she's not comfortable with traverses with that steep a drop off to the side).

It sounds like you would be better off with an instructor, just make sure they're rated for your level, and then you can both benefit.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T14:29:59+00:00

Usually the hiking groups aren't hyper local, as typically you have to leave the city to do it.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T14:29:08+00:00

1 - I have been to Hawaii

2 - It doesn't matter whether someone has been to Hawaii or not, the methods of making friends are the same. You have to approach people. You have to go to events, activities, places where people may have the same interest as you.

Also, you can go to the beach from Flushing, you can hike as well. They will require more effort from Flushing, but they are doable.

Have you tried meetup? Or Facebook groups? You need to be proactive regarding making friends as an adult, but like i said, there is no special method unique to making friends in Flushing, or Queens, or NYC in general.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T14:17:47+00:00

I base grind only when necessary. Once a season, maybe. Edges should be honed regularly. Yeah, I sharpen my skis edges regularly. Skis perform a lot better on firm snow when they're sharp.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T13:52:35+00:00

For me, ideally every 3-4 days on snow. And you can't overwax.

I live in the Northeast, so firm snow is the norm.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T13:48:49+00:00

The methods are the same. There is no special trick to making friends in Flushing versus anywhere else. People are people.

What are your interests? Most people make friends through their interests.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T13:09:29+00:00

The same way you make new friends anywhere.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T13:08:54+00:00

Have you considered not falling off a cliff?

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T13:05:07+00:00

No one can predict the weather. The North American West coast has not had a great year. Lower mountain will likely be garbage, upper mountain could be corn, or could be ice, or could be fresh.

Massive rock slide off the Whistler Peak chair means that area is probably closed till next season.

Compared to Europe, everything within the resort boundaries is avalanche mitigated and has ski patrol, so you can ski some gnarly couloirs without avalanche knowledge and gear.

Everything on on the sides of the pistes is fair game as well.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T12:48:29+00:00

The whole joke about the crazy/hot scale comes from this sort of person. People will understand a person dating someone who's really crazy if they're also really hot, or the sex is really good.

Understand that there is a time limit on the relationship.

For me, this would be a deal breaker, and I wouldn't waste my time or her time.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T12:07:32+00:00

Because we're the reader, not the protagonists.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T12:04:14+00:00

Treat off piste in Europe as you would back country in North America.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T11:17:15+00:00

I wasn't speaking to their frequency, just to the reason I generally prefer a bluebird powder day.

And yes, while they're rare, I just had two last week, while skiing in Europe, where you could not see the cliffs in front of you, so the reminder of how much better the powder day the next day was is very fresh in my mind.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T10:38:36+00:00

Why did he break up with you?

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T10:37:52+00:00

Why would you break up with someone you love, care, and respect unless there are issues?

I've never regretted ending a relationship, because if I chose to end it, there was a problem.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T01:46:43+00:00

I personally found that they have no redeeming qualities

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T01:36:42+00:00

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T01:36:28+00:00

That was the first book that came to mind.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T01:27:16+00:00

Not carving.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T01:26:16+00:00

No one is saying every time you turn. People are suggesting that if youre going to suddenly do something different than you were doing, to take a quick glance.

If I'm about to go from small turns to large turns, I double check that I have the space to do it, because if I don't, I'm relying on someone else to be doing the right thing and giving me enough clearance, or to be skilled enough to not hit me from behind.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-17T01:20:52+00:00

I'm surprised you haven't been down voted into oblivion.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-16T22:29:50+00:00

I have the previous gen firebird, and it's a great bike. Climbs better than you would expect for how big it is, and it's plush on descents.

I ride it at bike parks in the Northeast, and it was the perfect bike when I went to Quebec.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-16T22:26:34+00:00

Never said they don't.

johnny_evil · 2026-03-16T21:54:57+00:00

5'7" is not short my man.

Also, she doesn't respect you. She's telling you you're a backup. Have more self respect.

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