Great lot of info researched, Eire. I have the Swiss colleague at work who only skis off-piste and it is the only type of slopes that he entertains. He is mountaineer and rock climber as well. He is very experienced and as he says he grew up on the rock, but he wouldn't recommend to anyone without special training and preparations to go off-piste as well. Especially considering the fact that the snow slabs are less stable in this region of the world due to the fact that there is no salt and it doesnt keep the snow compact, thus increasing the risk of avalanche. This is anyone's personal decision involving risk people want to undertake. Personally, I wouldnt see the reason to risk life while going ride off-piste. Especially because there is so many awesome resorts here and riding on-piste involves enough challanges. At the same time one can admire the off-piste slopes on the sides (by simply looking at them without necessity to ride on them).