In reply to Simon4:
> They just have a largely well deserved reputation for not being very good or enthusiastic teachers.
In my experience French and British clients look for different things in instruction. Stick your average French skier in a British-style group class and they will be begging for mercy after 2 hours of set-piece exercises and practice. On the other hand a British skier in a French class will feel like they're not being taught anything coz they're not being told what to do.
Also French clients tend not to look for the same show of enthusiasm from their instructor/guide. They might even be a bit suspicious about it!
And while I'm on the subject, the French are often quite happy getting shouted at by their instructor/guide. Their attitude is, "well of course I'm getting a bolloxing, I'm shit" whereas the British attitude is more, "well of course I'm shit, I'm a beginner which is why I hired an instructor, so why am I getting bolloxed?!" I think the French are generally better at accepting their shitness though, whereas the British take it a bit more personally.
>Top-flight athletes, being so driven, selfish and intensely focused are quite often not very good at understanding or sympathising with timid beginner or intermediates...
I think this is a fair comment, but I also think it's more that when you've learnt something as a kid (ie. without having to engage your brain), you don't really get why it's so difficult do learn as an adult. I wouldn't call all French ski instructors "top-flight athletes" though. They have to train hard to get through the Euro-test, but I think comparing it to a F8b rock climb (like somebody above did) is a bit OTT (although what do I know having done neither!!)
Does all this mean a Brit should hire a British instructor? There's defo an argument for it if you're not prepared to go with the flow and accept the French way of doing things. There are French instructors out there who know what British skiers want and can adapt, but it's a bit hit and miss without a personal recommendation.
ps apologises for swearing and stereotyping!