A registered guide is recommended for any serious off piste skiing. The guide takes responsibility for the safety of the group, and will know where the best snow is to be found.

In order to book a guide, ask at the ski school, the tourist office or the office of the local guides' organisation. Ski bums may be a lot cheaper than qualified guides, but beware: they usually have no training, no safety equipment, and often a somewhat cavalier attitude to safety.