Dear Doctor Ski
I am writing to get your opiion about the worth of purchasing one of those tickets you can buy for about 20 euros which covers the cost of being helped down the mountain by those chaps who have that banana boat contraption (is it called a rettungscard or something) I spend a lot of time in St Anton off-piste as well as on but I am very careful so I am not sure if it is worth paying 20 euros when the liklihood or forking out 150-200 eurose is remote.
What do you think?
Bernd Finkersmann

Dear Bernd
Unfortunately your terribly interesting question is not really about skiing, however it is skiing related and I will do my best to answer. I would have thought anyone with the IQ of a gnat could work out the benefits of buying a Rettungscard, there are however one or two occasions when the individual may choose not to buy. I am aware of the odd generous professional who uses the opportunity of a 'free ride' to anonymously donate a 'bob or two' to the Mountain Rescue. Another possibility springs to mind in your case, one or two of your skiing buddies have been in touch and according to them at your current skiing speed and with the additional padding you are obviously wearing under your jacket you are unlikely to damage yourself even if you fall on a regular basis.
The choice is yours
Dr. Ski