Skiing

UCPA Autonome Plus

Is a new formula. 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 or Afternoon sessions
Tuesday – Morning or Afternoon sessions
Wednesday – Afternoon only
Thursday – Morning or Afternoon sessions
Friday   – Morning or Afternoon sessions
Saturday - Morning, 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 Full-Time Instruction

Hours: 23
Levels: All
Ratio: 1:10-12
Included: Liftpass, Skis & 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 accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) with UCPA.

The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side stepping, snow plough, edging, weight transfer & moving onto parallel turns. Although you are there to learn the instructors don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun too! Beginners programs are not available at Flaine Lindars, you should select Half Time Instruction instead.

All equipment is provided - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 skied before

· Improver – you’ve probably skied 1-3 weeks and you can ski green and blue runs

· Mastery – you can ski blue runs with good control of turns and speed, red runs are more challenging but you can still get down OK

· Confirme – you can ski all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge

· Expert – you can ski all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees

Most often we actually have 2 or 3 groups at each level, allowing for an even more refined grouping. You will be asked at registration what level you are at - the first ½ day is spent making a quick check of everyones 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 skiing. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, ski close to the other groups to allow for harmonisation across the groups. Afternoon – ski with your group.
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

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 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 Autonome Plus

Is a new formula. 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 or Afternoon sessions
Tuesday – Morning or Afternoon sessions
Wednesday – Afternoon only
Thursday – Morning or Afternoon sessions
Friday   – Morning or Afternoon sessions
Saturday - Morning, 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 Half-Time Instruction

Hours: 12
Levels: All
Ratio: 1:10-12
Included: Liftpass, Skis & Boots
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. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) with UCPA.

The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side stepping, snow plough, edging, weight transfer & moving onto parallel turns. Although you are there to learn the instructors don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun too! Beginners programs are not available at Flaine Lindars, you should select Half Time Instruction instead.

For the intermediate levels then the instructor will determine which skills to work on according to talking with the group and observing your skiing. It may be speed control, short radius turns, carving, bumps or even jumping. 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 skiers will be in a higher group focusing on bumps, speed, slalom 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. See our Off Piste section of activities.

All equipment is provided - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 skied before

· Improver – you’ve probably skied 1-3 weeks and you can ski green and blue runs

· Mastery – you can ski blue runs with good control of turns and speed, red runs are more challenging but you can still get down OK

· Confirme – you can ski all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge

· Expert – you can ski all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees

Most often we actually have 2 or 3 groups at each level, allowing for an even more refined grouping. You will be asked at registration what level you are at - the first ½ day is spent making a quick check of everyones level to ensure that everybody is in the correct group.

Sample Itinerary

Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration.
Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, ski close to the other groups to allow for harmonisation across the groups.
Tuesday – Morning or Afternoon session
Wednesday – Afternoon only*
Thursday – Morning or Afternoon session
Friday – Morning or Afternoon session
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

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 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 Ski Freeride Full-Time Guiding - Steeps

Hours: 23
Levels: Expert (see below)
Ratio: 1:6
Included: Liftpass. Skis & 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 aims to make the most of Les Arcs challenging terrain. You will be skiing some of the big descents of the Tarantaise and should expect to be skiing slopes in excess of 45 degrees. You should be an extremely accomplished off piste skier, please feel free to call us for advice to ensure that you are of an appropriate standard. 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.

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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 a highly accomplished off piste skier, competent in all snow conditions on steep 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 on glaciers 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 Speed Riding Full-Time Instruction - Improvers

Hours: 23 hours of Instruction during the week
Levels: Advanced Skiers only
Included: Liftpass, Skis & Boots, Speed Riding equipment
Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals

Course Description

Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Sunday is a free-ski warm up day. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) at the UCPA centre.

All equipment is provided - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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. Speed Riding equipment is provided only when with the Instructors, it is not possible to practise speed riding without your instructor.

What is the difference between paragliding, speed flying and speed riding?

Paragliding is flying with large canopies (20-32 square meters, depending on your weight) that allow you to stay and travel in the sky. You can climb on thermal air currents, and your "glide ratio" is about 1:8, meaning you go eight times farther forward than down.

Speed flying is a general term for using smaller canopies (8-14 square meters), or mini gliders. Speed riding is the specific term for going down snow slopes with mini gliders and skis. The glide ratio is much lower—1:4—which allows you to play with the ground, mixing skiing and flying in a new way.

Speed Riding is almost certainly the newest & most exciting winter sport. It crosses skiing with paragliding enabling you to ski steep terrain and gain flight time. Experts are using these techniques to ski faces like the Mallory Route on the Aiguille du Midi - a graded alpine climb of over 60 degrees steepness. The paragliders are approximately half size, allowing a reasonable glide angle, but more importantly allowing you to maintain a good speed also.

Levels

Speed Riding certainly isn't for beginner skiers. You should be at level "confirme" or "expert" - ie able to ski anything on-piste, in any conditions, plus be proficient off-piste in most conditions. For the Improvers course you should have completed at least one week Speed Riding previously. It is helpful, but not essential, if you have experience of other kite sports - eg paragliding or kite surfing. This is a highly commited sport - it is a requirement of registration that you have a doctors certificate indicating no "contra-indications" to practice this activity.

· Confirme – you can ski all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge

· Expert – you can ski all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees

Itinerary

Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration.
Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing/warm up day.
Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
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.

Instructors

UCPA Speed Riding Instructors are both Ski and Paragliding qualified. All of the UCPA Ski 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 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 Ski Off Piste Introduction

Hours: 23
Levels: Confirme (see below)
Ratio: 1:8-10
Included: Liftpass. Skis & boots plus transceiver, shovel & probe
Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals

Course Description

The course 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 ski 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 skiers. 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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 skiers who are already fairly accomplished on piste skiers, who can already ski 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 – Meet your instructor, ski close with the other off piste groups.
Tuesday – Morning and afternoon sessions
Wednesday - Morning session (In Chamonix and Argentiere there is no tuition on a Wednesday, however this time is made up on the other days.)
Thursday – Morning and afternoon sessions
Friday – Morning and afternoon sessions
Saturday - Morning free skiing, 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 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

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 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.

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.

UCPA Ski Full-Time Instruction

Hours: 23
Levels: All
Ratio: 1:10-12
Included: Liftpass, Skis & 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 accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) with UCPA.

The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side stepping, snow plough, edging, weight transfer & moving onto parallel turns. Although you are there to learn the instructors don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun too! Beginners programs are not available at Flaine Lindars, you should select Half Time Instruction instead.

For the intermediate levels then the instructor will determine which skills to work on according to talking with the group and observing your skiing. It may be speed control, short radius turns, carving, bumps or even jumping. 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 skiers will be in a higher group focusing on bumps, speed, slalom 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. See our Off Piste section of activities.

All equipment is provided - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 skied before

· Improver – you’ve probably skied 1-3 weeks and you can ski green and blue runs

· Mastery – you can ski blue runs with good control of turns and speed, red runs are more challenging but you can still get down OK

· Confirme – you can ski all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge

· Expert – you can ski all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees

Most often we actually have 2 or 3 groups at each level, allowing for an even more refined grouping. You will be asked at registration what level you are at - the first ½ day is spent making a quick check of everyones 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 skiing. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
Monday – Morning, meet your instructor, ski close to the other groups to allow for harmonisation across the groups. Afternoon – ski with your group.
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

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 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 Ski Half-Time Instruction

Hours: 12
Levels: All
Ratio: 1:10-12
Included: Liftpass, Skis & 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 accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) with UCPA.

The skills you learn are very much down to the group needs – for beginners it is fairly obvious progression through side stepping, snow plough, edging, weight transfer & moving onto parallel 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 skiing. It may be speed control, short radius turns, carving, bumps or even jumping. 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 skiers will be in a higher group focusing on bumps, speed, slalom 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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 skied before

· Improver – you’ve probably skied 1-3 weeks and you can ski green and blue runs

· Mastery – you can ski blue runs with good control of turns and speed, red runs are more challenging but you can still get down OK

· Confirme – you can ski all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge

· Expert – you can ski all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees

Most often we actually have 2 or 3 groups at each level, allowing for an even more refined grouping. You will be asked at registration what level you are at - the first ½ day is spent making a quick check of everyones 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 skiing. Complete beginners will be offered instruction on Sunday afternoon.
Monday – Meet your instructor, ski 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 skiing, 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 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

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 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 Ski Off Piste Full-Time Instruction

Hours: 23
Levels: Confirme (see below)
Ratio: 1:8-10
Included: Liftpass. Freeride Skis & boots plus transceiver, shovel & probe
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 ski 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 skiers. 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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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

At most of our centres, on most weeks we have enough clients for 2 or 3 Off Piste groups, meaning that we can cater for a range of experience. The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is skiers who are already fairly accomplished on piste skiers, who can already ski 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.

Please note that the Val d'Isere course requires a very high standard of skier.

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

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 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.

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.

UCPA Ski Freeride Full-Time Guiding - Steeps

Hours: 23
Levels: Expert (see below)
Ratio: 1:6
Included: Liftpass. Skis & 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 aims to make the most of Chamonix's challenging terrain. You will be skiing some of the big descents of the Chamonix Valley and should expect to be skiing slopes in excess of 45 degrees. You should be an extremely accomplished off piste skier, please feel free to call us for advice to ensure that you are of an appropriate standard. 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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 a highly accomplished off piste skier, competent in all snow conditions on steep 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 Ski Off Piste Half-Time Instruction

Hours: 12
Levels: Confirme (see below)
Ratio: 1:8-10
Included: Liftpass. Freeride Skis & 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 ski 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 skiers. 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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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

At most of our centres, on most weeks we have enough clients for 2 or 3 Off Piste groups, meaning that we can cater for a range of experience. The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is skiers who are already fairly accomplished on piste skiers, who can already ski 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 – Meet your instructor, ski close with the other off piste groups.
Tuesday – 1/2 day session
Thursday – 1/2 day session
Friday – 1/2 day session
Saturday - Morning free skiing, 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 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

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 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.

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.

UCPA Ski Freeride Full-Time Guiding

Hours: 23
Levels: Expert (see below)
Ratio: 1:6
Included: Liftpass. Freeride Skis & 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).

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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 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 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 Speed Riding Full-Time Instruction - a new course for the 2008/2009 season

Hours: 23 hours of Instruction during the week
Levels: Advanced Skiers only
Included: Liftpass, Skis & Boots, Speed Riding equipment
Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals

Course Description

Instruction includes 23 hours over 5 days from Monday to Friday. Sunday is a free-ski warm up day. Equipment hire and liftpass are valid from Sunday morning onwards. This is a UCPA course and the price shown also includes accommodation for 7 nights and all meals every day (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) at the UCPA centre.

This is a beginners course to speed riding - you will learn the techniques needed to tackle extreme terrain, but the learning will be done either off-piste or on specially designated pistes at a sensible gradient to start with! It is ideal for highly experienced skiers who are thinking of getting in to this new activity.

All equipment is provided - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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. Speed Riding equipment is provided only when with the Instructors, it is not possible to practise speed riding without your instructor.

What is the difference between paragliding, speed flying and speed riding?

Paragliding is flying with large canopies (20-32 square meters, depending on your weight) that allow you to stay and travel in the sky. You can climb on thermal air currents, and your "glide ratio" is about 1:8, meaning you go eight times farther forward than down.

Speed flying is a general term for using smaller canopies (8-14 square meters), or mini gliders. Speed riding is the specific term for going down snow slopes with mini gliders and skis. The glide ratio is much lower—1:4—which allows you to play with the ground, mixing skiing and flying in a new way.

Speed Riding is almost certainly the newest & most exciting winter sport. It crosses skiing with paragliding enabling you to ski steep terrain and gain flight time. Experts are using these techniques to ski faces like the Mallory Route on the Aiguille du Midi - a graded alpine climb of over 60 degrees steepness. The paragliders are approximately half size, allowing a reasonable glide angle, but more importantly allowing you to maintain a good speed also.

Levels

Although it is a beginners course it certainly isn't for beginner skiers. You should be at level "confirme" or "expert" - ie able to ski anything on-piste, in any conditions, plus be proficient off-piste in most conditions. It is helpful, but not essential, if you have experience of other kite sports - eg paragliding or kite surfing. This is a highly commited sport - it is a requirement of registration that you have a doctors certificate indicating no "contra-indications" to practice this activity.

· Confirme – you can ski all the marked pistes (greens, blues, reds & blacks), although black runs in bad conditions are still a challenge

· Expert – you can ski all terrains, piste and off piste, in all conditions – icy, powder, crust. You are comfortable on slopes at 40 degrees

Itinerary

Saturday – Arrival, check-in and registration.
Sunday – Equipment issue (may also be available on Saturday afternoon), free skiing/warm up day.
Monday – Morning & Afternoon sessions
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.

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

UCPA Speed Riding Instructors are both Ski and Paragliding qualified. All of the UCPA Ski 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 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 Ski Freeride & Rando Full-Time Guiding

Hours: 23
Levels: Expert (see below)
Ratio: 1:6
Included: Liftpass. Touring Skis, bindings, skins, 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. 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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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 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 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.

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

During the day all skiing is with an instructor, with all different levels covered from beginner to expert. The program is basically the same as ski full-time instruction and is a great way for all skiers 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.

UCPA Ski Off Piste Half-Time Instruction

Hours: 12
Levels: Confirme (see below)
Ratio: 1:8-10
Included: Liftpass. Freeride Skis & 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 ski 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 skiers. 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 - Skis & Boots – mostly Rossignol as they are a partner of UCPA. Half of the skis 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

At most of our centres, on most weeks we have enough clients for 2 or 3 Off Piste groups, meaning that we can cater for a range of experience. The minimum standard for the Off Piste course is skiers who are already fairly accomplished on piste skiers, who can already ski 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 – Meet your instructor, ski close with the other off piste groups.
Tuesday – 1/2 day session
Thursday – 1/2 day session
Friday – 1/2 day session
Saturday - Morning free skiing, 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 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

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 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.

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.

Catered Chalet, Airport Transfer and Liftpass Deal

Levels: All
Included: 7 Nights Chalet Accommodation with breakfast, afternoon tea and evening meal with wine each night
Included: Airport Transfer from Geneva and Liftpass for 6 days for Chamonix Mont Blanc
Ski equipment, flights and personal Insurance not included

Description

Chalet Les Pelerins is a stylish, comfortable chalet, a great base from which to explore the Chamonix Valley. We run some specific off-piste courses from the chalet as well as taking bookings for catered chalet ski holidays. For far more detailed information visit www.chalet-in-chamonix.co.uk.

This week is specially designed for individuals and small groups to book and join a week of fun in the snow. All rooms sleep 2 persons, prepare to share, or contact us for a single supplement price.

The double bedrooms have a en-suite shower & sink

The twin bedrooms have 2 beds (which can be pushed together to form a double).

There is a separate bathroom with shower, WC and basin plus an additional WC and wash hand basin

Fabulous three course meal with wine included on six evenings. On one evening during the week it is the Chef's night off and you can eat out at a restaurant of your choice, at your own expense.

Ski and snowboard equipment can be arranged with our partner shop, at a discount of 15%. Personal clothing is not provided. You will be given a lift pass for the whole week when you arrive.

Instructors

No Instruction is included. If you would like to arrange lessons we can recommend Evolution 2 ski courses starting at €145 for 5 x 2 hr sessions Ski Snowboard or for Off Piste Courses we can recommend All Mountain Performance MoreInfo

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Sample Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Les Arcs Off-Piste Steeps

UCPA Ski Freeride Full-Time Guiding - Steeps

Course Description

Levels

Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Ski Speed Riding Improvers

UCPA Speed Riding Full-Time Instruction - Improvers

Course Description

What is the difference between paragliding, speed flying and speed riding?

Levels

Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Ski Off-Piste Introduction

UCPA Ski Off Piste Introduction

Course Description

Levels

Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Ski Full-Time Instruction

UCPA Ski Full-Time Instruction

Course Description

Levels

Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Ski Half-Time Instruction

UCPA Ski Half-Time Instruction

Course Description

Levels

Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Ski Off Piste Full-Time Instruction

UCPA Ski Off Piste Full-Time Instruction

Course Description

Levels

Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Ski Off Piste Steeps

UCPA Ski Freeride Full-Time Guiding - Steeps

Course Description

Levels

Itinerary

Instructors

UCPA Ski Off Piste Half-Time Instruction

UCPA Ski Off Piste Half-Time Instruction

Course Description

Levels

Itinerary