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Click on the price for more information and to see travel options available - coach, airport transfer, flights etc.

UCPA prices include accomodation, meals, liftpass, equipment and course fees.

UCPA

www.ucpa.com UCPA is a French activity holiday company. We are their UK Partner. UCPA stands for Union national des Centres sportifs de Plein Air.

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Snowboarding

Snowboarding courses for all levels, choose from half-time or full-time instruction. Prices shown in blue are for a 7 night stay and include accommodation, all meals,  liftpass, equipment and instruction for the relevant course. For off piste go to the activity page for Snowboard Off Piste.

Dates & Prices

UCPA Snow Board Off-Piste Full Time Instruction


UCPA Snow Board Off Piste Full-Time Instruction
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: Confirme (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:8-10
  • Included: Freeride Boards & boots plus transceiver, shovel & probe. Liftpass
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Full-Time Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
 
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – very different techniques are required to board off piste, where conditions may be deep powder snow, hard crust , neve, transformed spring snow or soft slush. Obviously we all search for the powder but it’s important to master all conditions.
You will learn all about balance and weight distribution, how to initiate turns under different conditions working towards the goal of leaving perfect tracks on a virgin snowfield.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to boarders. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. Often by making a short walk from the top of a ski lift you can find fresh powder days after the last snow fall – this really takes local knowledge.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is boarders who are already fairly accomplished on piste, who can already board between the pistes in rough cut up snow. If you already have very good off-piste skills you should consider one of our Freeride Courses which will raise the bar higher still.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the Off Piste UCPA Instructors are fully qualified under the French system. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to board on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors.

UCPA Snow Board Freeride Off-Piste


UCPA Snowboard Freeride Full-Time
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: Expert (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:6
  • Included: Liftpass. Freeride Board & boots plus harness, transceiver, shovel & probe
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Full-Time Guiding includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
Please not that a very high standard of rider is required for this course.
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – developing your existing off piste skills into steeper slopes, narrow couloirs and heavily glaciated terrain.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to boarders. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it. There is the opportunity to learn about crevasse awareness & rescue techniques.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. You will be very off piste – expect to be on slopes with no other groups in sight. This most often involves a short hike at the start or the end of the run. On some of the routes an abseil (or rappel) may be required to access the slope.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO.  Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a harness, transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
You are already an accomplished off piste boarder, competent in all snow conditions on moderate slopes. You have a good level of personal fitness and have no problems making a short 45 minute hike to get to the best slopes.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free boarding.
  • Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or ski with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Ski Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.

UCPA Snow Board Off-Piste Full-Time Instruction


UCPA Snow Board Off Piste Full-Time Instruction
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: Confirme (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:8-10
  • Included: Freeride Boards & boots plus transceiver, shovel & probe. Liftpass
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Full-Time Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
 
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – very different techniques are required to board off piste, where conditions may be deep powder snow, hard crust , neve, transformed spring snow or soft slush. Obviously we all search for the powder but it’s important to master all conditions.
You will learn all about balance and weight distribution, how to initiate turns under different conditions working towards the goal of leaving perfect tracks on a virgin snowfield.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to boarders. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. Often by making a short walk from the top of a ski lift you can find fresh powder days after the last snow fall – this really takes local knowledge.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is boarders who are already fairly accomplished on piste, who can already board between the pistes in rough cut up snow. If you already have very good off-piste skills you should consider one of our Freeride Courses which will raise the bar higher still.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the Off Piste UCPA Instructors are fully qualified under the French system. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to board on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors.

Under 18 Snowboard Special


A special program specially designed for 6th formers aged 16 & 17.

During the day all boarding is with an instructor, with all different levels covered from beginner to expert. The program is basically the same as snow board full-time instruction and is a great way for all boarders to progress.

During the evening there is a level of supervision appropriate to young adults -

  • Evening entertainments / sports
  • Sign out book to leave the centre
  • Return to the centre by 10:00pm

In France, as in the UK, it is illegal to drink if you are under 18.

Room shares will only be with other under 18 year olds.

Montecampione Snowboard Special


UCPA Snowboard Autonome


UCPA Ski No Instruction = UCPA Ski or Snowboard No Instruction

Availability for this course is listed on Snowboard activities page or Resort page. Full course title is UCPA Ski or Snowboard No Instruction. Decide on arrival between ski or snowboard equipment rental.

  • Hours: No Instruction Included
  • Levels: All
  • Included: Liftpass, Skis & Boots or Snowboard & Boots
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
If you don't fancy any ski or snowboard instruction, full-time or half-time, then this option offers the same great UCPA value - minus the course! Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. The price shown also includes accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) with UCPA.
All equipment is provided - Skis & Boots – or Snowboard & Boots mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the equipment is replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass and piste map on arrival.
Decide on arrival whether you would like to choose ski or snowboard equipment. It may be possible to change during the week but this is not guaranteed. Discuss this with the equipment shop while in resort.
NB The price difference between no instruction and either the Ski Full Time or Half Time Instruction courses, is so small, that Action Outdoors would highly recommend booking onto a course with instruction. Even if you only choose to join the lessons for one day, we believe you will benefit from UCPA Instruction! UCPA Instructors are some of the best on the mountain.
Levels
All - although not recommended for beginners!
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Free skiing
  • Monday – Free skiing
  • Tuesday – Free skiing
  • Wednesday – Free skiing
  • Thursday – Free skiing
  • Friday – Free skiing
  • Saturday - Free skiing in morning. Check-out 2pm
Instructors
No Instruction.

 

UCPA Snowboard Autonome Plus


UCPA Autonome Plus
Is a new formula for season 09/10.  A UCPA instructor will meet the group each day, discuss conditions, weather, ski areas etc. The group will then have a chance to spend certain sessions with the instructor for a certain theme - for example bumps, snow park, carving, jumps etc.
This formula is not suitable for beginners, but for more experienced skiers & boarders it provides an excellent cross between guiding & coaching, whilst still allowing plenty time to do your own thing.
  • Hours: 12
  • Levels: Confirme (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:8-10
  • Included: Skis / Boards / Boots / Sticks 
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Part-Time Instruction includes 12 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
 
Levels
You need to be proficient on blue runs, ie not a beginner. Sessions will then be arranged according to levels.
 
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
 
Instructors
All of the Off Piste UCPA Instructors are fully qualified under the French system. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to board on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors

UCPA Snowboard Beginners


UCPA Ski or Snow Board Full-Time Instruction - Beginner
  • Hours: 23
  • Ratio: 1:10-12
  • Included: Liftpass, Board & Boots
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Full-Time Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Complete beginners also gain an extra half-day instruction on Sunday to get them started! Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side slipping, “falling leaf”, edging, weight transfer & moving onto heel side and toe side turns. Although you are there to learn the instructors don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun too !
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free boarding. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
  • Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, board close to the other groups to allow for harmonisation across the groups. Afternoon – board with your group.
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only (In Chamonix and Argentiere there is no instruction at all on a Wednesday, however these hours are made up on the remaining four days.)
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the UCPA Instructors are either already fully qualified under the French system or are currently under training to achieve their qualification. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.

UCPA Snowboard Off Piste Rando


Credit Jonathan Baird UIAGMUCPA Snowboard Freeride & Rando Full-Time Guiding
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: Expert (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:6
  • Included: Liftpass. Board, boots, snowshoes, harness, transceiver, shovel & probe.
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Full-Time Guiding includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. The course is essentially a freeride course, including perhaps 20% Rando/Touring to get to the best snow. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – developing your existing off piste skills into steeper slopes, narrow couloirs and heavily glaciated terrain.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to skiers. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it. There is the opportunity to learn about crevasse awareness & rescue techniques.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. You will be very off piste – expect to be on slopes with no other groups in sight. On some of the routes an abseil (or rappel) may be required to access the slope.
All equipment is provided - Board & Boots – mostly APO as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the equipment is replaced each year meaning that it is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a harness, transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels                                                                  
You are already a fairly accomplished off piste rider, competent in all snow conditions on moderate slopes. You have a good level of personal fitness and have no problems hiking to get to the best slopes.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, ski close with the other off piste groups.
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free skiing, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or ski with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to ski on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors.
The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Ski Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.

UCPA Snowboard Off Piste Evasion


Credit Jonathan Baird UIAGMUCPA Snowboard Freeride Full-Time Guiding - Evasion
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: Expert (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:6
  • Included: Liftpass. Board & boots plus harness, transceiver, shovel & probe
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Full-Time Guiding includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. This course makes the most of the Mont Blanc Massif and surrounding areas. Your guide will take you to various 'local' ski areas, likely to Include Verbier (Switzerland), Grand Saint Bernard (Switzerland), Courmayeur (Italy) and of course Chamonix in order to find fun, challenging and varied riding.  Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – developing your existing off piste skills into steeper slopes, narrow couloirs and heavily glaciated terrain.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to skiers. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it. There is the opportunity to learn about crevasse awareness & rescue techniques.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. You will be very off piste – expect to be on slopes with no other groups in sight. This most often involves a short hike at the start or the end of the run. On some of the routes an abseil (or rappel) may be required to access the slope.
All equipment is provided - Board & Boots – mostly APO as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the equipment is replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a harness, transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels                                                                  
You are already a fairly accomplished off piste skier, competent in all snow conditions on moderate slopes. You have a good level of personal fitness and have no problems making a short 45 minute hike to get to the best slopes.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, ski close with the other off piste groups.
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free skiing, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or ski with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to ski on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors.
The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Ski Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.

UCPA Snowboard Off-Piste Full-Time Instruction


UCPA Snow Board Off Piste Full-Time Instruction
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: Confirme (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:8-10
  • Included: Freeride Boards & boots plus transceiver, shovel & probe. Liftpass
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
 
Full-Time Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
 
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – very different techniques are required to board off piste, where conditions may be deep powder snow, hard crust, neve, transformed spring snow or soft slush. Obviously we all search for the powder but it’s important to master all conditions.
You will learn all about balance and weight distribution, how to initiate turns under different conditions working towards the goal of leaving perfect tracks on a virgin snowfield.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to boarders. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. Often by making a short walk from the top of a ski lift you can find fresh powder days after the last snow fall – this really takes local knowledge.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is boarders who are already fairly accomplished on piste, who can already board between the pistes in rough cut up snow. If you already have very good off-piste skills you should consider one of our Freeride Courses which will raise the bar higher still.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the Off Piste UCPA Instructors are fully qualified under the French system. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to board on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors.

UCPA Snowboard Full-Time Instruction


Credit Chris PyrkeUCPA Snow Board Full-Time Instruction
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: All
  • Ratio: 1:10-12
  • Included: Liftpass, Board & Boots
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Full-Time Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Complete beginners also gain an extra half-day instruction on Sunday to get them started! Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side slipping, “falling leaf”, edging, weight transfer & moving onto heel side and toe side turns. Although you are there to learn the instructors don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun too !
For the intermediate levels then the instructor will determine which skills to work on according to talking with the group and observing your boarding. It may be speed control, carving, jumping and riding fake. The advantage of having the same instructor for the whole week is that the lessons don’t need to be intense – there’s plenty of time to relax and enjoy the skiing as well as learning and improving.
More advanced boarders will be in a higher group focusing on speed, jumping and park skills and some off piste however if you are already at “Confirme” & “Expert” levels you should be looking towards one of our Off Piste courses, available at various levels.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
Each of our centres is sufficiently large that we have groups at all levels, essentially:-
·         Beginner – never boarded before
·         Improver – you’ve probably boarded 1-3 weeks and you can board green and blue runs
·         Mastery – you can board blue runs with good control of turns and speed, red runs are more challenging but you can still get down OK
·         Confirme – you can board all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge
·         Expert – you can board all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees
You will be asked at registration what level you are at - the first ½ day is spent making a quick check of everyone’s level to ensure that everybody is in the correct group.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free boarding. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
  • Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, board close to the other groups to allow for harmonisation across the groups. Afternoon – board with your group.
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the UCPA Instructors are either already fully qualified under the French system or are currently under training to achieve their qualification. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.

UCPA Snowboard Half-Time Instruction


Credit Chris PyrkeUCPA Snow Board Half-Time Instruction
  • Hours: 12
  • Levels: All
  • Ratio: 1:10-12
  • Included: Liftpass, Board & Boots.
  • Included: 7 Nghts Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
Half-Time Instruction includes 12 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Complete beginners also gain an extra half-day instruction on Sunday to get them started! Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side slipping, “falling leaf”, edging, weight transfer & moving onto heel side and toe side turns. Although you are there to learn the instructors don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun too !
For the intermediate levels then the instructor will determine which skills to work on according to talking with the group and observing your boarding. It may be speed control, carving, jumping and riding fake. The advantage of having the same instructor for the whole week is that the lessons don’t need to be intense – there’s plenty of time to relax and enjoy the skiing as well as learning and improving.
More advanced boarders will be in a higher group focusing on speed, jumping and park skills and some off piste however if you are already at “Confirme” & “Expert” levels you should be looking towards one of our Off Piste courses, available at various levels.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
Each of our centres is sufficiently large that we have groups at all levels, essentially:-
·         Beginner – never boarded before
·         Improver – you’ve probably boarded 1-3 weeks and you can board green and blue runs
·         Mastery – you can board blue runs with good control of turns and speed, red runs are more challenging but you can still get down OK
·         Confirme – you can board all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge
·         Expert – you can board all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees
You will be asked at registration what level you are at - the first ½ day is spent making a quick check of everyone’s level to ensure that everybody is in the correct group.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free boarding. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
  • Monday – Meet your instructor, board close to the other groups to allow for harmonisation across the groups. 
  • Tuesday – 1/2 day session
  • Wednesday – 1/2 day session
  • Thursday – 1/2 day session
  • Friday – 1/2 day session
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
The 1/2 day will be scheduled either in the morning or in the afternoon - depending upon group / instructor. There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the UCPA Instructors are either already fully qualified under the French system or are currently under training to achieve their qualification. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems.
Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snowboarding Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.

UCPA Snowboard Off Piste Full-Time Instruction


UCPA Snow Board Off Piste Full-Time Instruction
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: Confirme (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:8-10
  • Included: Freeride Boards & boots plus transceiver, shovel & probe. Liftpass
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
 
Full-Time Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
 
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – very different techniques are required to board off piste, where conditions may be deep powder snow, hard crust , neve, transformed spring snow or soft slush. Obviously we all search for the powder but it’s important to master all conditions.
You will learn all about balance and weight distribution, how to initiate turns under different conditions working towards the goal of leaving perfect tracks on a virgin snowfield.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to boarders. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. Often by making a short walk from the top of a ski lift you can find fresh powder days after the last snow fall – this really takes local knowledge.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is boarders who are already fairly accomplished on piste, who can already board between the pistes in rough cut up snow. If you already have very good off-piste skills you should consider one of our Freeride Courses which will raise the bar higher still.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the Off Piste UCPA Instructors are fully qualified under the French system. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to board on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors.

UCPA Ski or Snowboard No Instruction


UCPA Ski or Snowboard No Instruction
  • Hours: No Instruction Included
  • Levels: All 
  • Included: Skis & Boots or Snowboard & Boots. Liftpass
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
The Ski or Snowboard No Instruction option offers the same great UCPA value with the all inclusive snowboard package - minus the course! Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. The price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
All equipment is provided - Snowboard & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the snowboards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass and piste map on arrival.
NB The price difference between the DIY and either the Full Time or Half Time UCPA Instruction courses, is so small, that Action Outdoors would highly recommend booking onto a course with instruction. Even if you only choose to join the lessons for one day, we believe you will benefit from UCPA Instruction! UCPA Instructors are some of the best on the mountain.
Levels
All - although not recommended for beginners!
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Free skiing
  • Monday – Free skiing
  • Tuesday – Free skiing
  • Wednesday – Free skiing
  • Thursday – Free skiing
  • Friday – Free skiing
  • Saturday - Free skiing in morning. Check-out 2pm
Instructors
No Instruction.

UCPA Ski or Snowboard Full-Time Instruction


UCPA Ski or Snow Board Full-Time Instruction
  • Hours: 23
  • Levels: All
  • Ratio: 1:10-12
  • Included: Liftpass, Board & Boots or Skis & Boots - choose on arrival
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
Course Description
This course is unique to UCPA Serre Chevalier - decide on arrival whether you will ski or snowboard for the week. Although the price is the same, it is not possible to swop during the week.
Full-Time Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Complete beginners also gain an extra half-day instruction on Sunday to get them started! Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side slipping, “falling leaf”, edging, weight transfer & moving onto heel side and toe side turns. Although you are there to learn the instructors don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun too !
For the intermediate levels then the instructor will determine which skills to work on according to talking with the group and observing your boarding. It may be speed control, carving, jumping and riding fake. The advantage of having the same instructor for the whole week is that the lessons don’t need to be intense – there’s plenty of time to relax and enjoy the skiing as well as learning and improving.
More advanced boarders will be in a higher group focusing on speed, jumping and park skills and some off piste however if you are already at “Confirme” & “Expert” levels you should be looking towards one of our Off Piste courses, available at various levels.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
Each of our centres is sufficiently large that we have groups at all levels, essentially:-
·         Beginner – never boarded before
·         Improver – you’ve probably boarded 1-3 weeks and you can board green and blue runs
·         Mastery – you can board blue runs with good control of turns and speed, red runs are more challenging but you can still get down OK
·         Confirme – you can board all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge
·         Expert – you can board all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees
You will be asked at registration what level you are at - the first ½ day is spent making a quick check of everyone’s level to ensure that everybody is in the correct group.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free boarding. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
  • Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, board close to the other groups to allow for harmonisation across the groups. Afternoon – board with your group.
  • Tuesday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Wednesday – Afternoon only
  • Thursday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Friday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the UCPA Instructors are either already fully qualified under the French system or are currently under training to achieve their qualification. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.

UCPA Snowboard Off Piste Half Time Instruction


UCPA Snow Board Off Piste Half-Time
  • Hours: 12
  • Levels: Confirme (see below)
  • Ratio: 1:8-10
  • Included: Liftpass. Freeride Boards & boots plus transceiver, shovel & probe
  • Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals 
Course Description
Half-Time Instruction includes 12 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards for a warm up day. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes UCPA accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal).
The skills are focused on two areas:
Personal Skill & Technique – very different techniques are required to board off piste, where conditions may be deep powder snow, hard crust , neve, transformed spring snow or soft slush. Obviously we all search for the powder but it’s important to master all conditions.
You will learn all about balance and weight distribution, how to initiate turns under different conditions working towards the goal of leaving perfect tracks on a virgin snowfield.
Mountain Skills – this is all about being safe on the mountains. How to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and what they mean to boarders. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it.
For many people the best thing about these courses is the local knowledge of the instructor. He or she knows the ski area intimately and will always be able to find the best conditions. Often by making a short walk from the top of a ski lift you can find fresh powder days after the last snow fall – this really takes local knowledge.
All equipment is provided - Boards & Boots – mostly APO. Half of the boards are replaced each year meaning that the equipment is all up to date and in good order. You will also be given a transceiver (ARVA), shovel & probe for the week. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.
Levels
The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is boarders who are already fairly accomplished on piste, who can already board between the pistes in rough cut up snow. If you already have very good off-piste skills you should consider one of our Freeride Courses which will raise the bar higher still.
Itinerary
  • Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration
  • Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing.
  • Monday – 1/2 day session
  • Tuesday – 1/2 day session
  • Wednesday – 1/2 day session
  • Thursday – 1/2 day session
  • Friday – 1/2 day session
  • Saturday - Morning free boarding, check-out at 2:00pm
The 1/2 day will be scheduled either in the morning or in the afternoon - depending upon group / instructor. There are a few local variations – eg in Chamonix all of Wednesday is a free day and the extra time is added onto the other days. Depending upon which centre and which time of year you may come back to the centre for a hot lunch or take a picnic with you. At the reception you will find a notice board where the details of each day activities are planned.
We often get asked “do you have to go to every lesson ?” – it’s not the army and of course if you want to have a morning off, or board with other friends then it’s no problem. All we ask is just let the instructor know so he or she doesn’t have to wait for you.
Instructors
All of the Off Piste UCPA Instructors are fully qualified under the French system. The French system is generally agreed to be the most demanding of all systems. Whilst the average age of the UCPA instructors is fairly young they have chosen Snow Instruction as a career and take the job seriously, albeit still having fun! The level of English varies, all of them speak enough English to teach effectively.
Freeride courses are run by a qualified High Mountain Guide, allowing the group to board on glaciated terrain. All UCPA Ski Guides are also fully qualified Ski Instructors.
snowboard