Originally Posted by
Norseman
Yeah but that's not the reason I enjoy touring...
I know this is a style difference often highlighted between Euro guided trips and "stalwart north american individualists in the wilderness"... but I like the self-reliant problem solving of route/snow/weather almost as much as the skiing itself.
That said, this probably isn't the time to be pushing for such causes, especially for a group with wide-ranging backcountry experience. Few of us will have the season's duration to observe the snowpack; few know the routes.
So I guess I'll vote for the guide if the opportunity for doing a big sweet tour is realistic, but am leery of large group size and the resulting adjustments to pace and route selection.
If a guide is the big gilded key to some cool shit that'd be otherwise out of reach to EuroJong tourons, then yes, sign me up.
(Will vote when back at a puter)