Quick Search

Find your ideal trip quickly. Select All to leave options open.

 

Search


dates & prices

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.

Inspired to Ski prices include course fee only, click through to see accommodation and travel.

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.

inspired to ski

Inspired to Ski are a British company offering carefully planned, performance coaching to small groups. Look out for courses our in Ski and Ski Off Piste sections.www.inspiredtoski.com


Ski

Action Outdoors are ski course specialists. All our resorts are snowsure (you can't ski without snow) and every course we sell has been tried and tested! A tough job but someone had to do it. 

We believe skiing boils down to one objective - to have fun. If Skiing is not fun, then it is not Skiing at all. Don't risk booking your ski course elsewhere!

Dates & Prices

UCPA Ski Full-Time Instruction


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!
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.
*NB In UCPA Val d'Isere, the Ski Full Time Instruction course is not available for beginners, you must be at least Improver level.
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


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.
*NB In UCPA Tignes, the Ski Half Time Instruction course is not available for beginners, you must be at least Improver level.
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 No Instruction


UCPA Ski No Instruction

Availability for this course is listed on Snowboard activities page or each 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.

 

Inspired to Ski All Mountain Performance


www.inspiredtoski.comITS All Mountain Performance
  • Hours: 3 hrs a day (5 days)
  • Levels: 3-6
  • Ratio: 1:6-7
  • Price: £245 - this is for course fees only
  • Accommodation & travel options shown when course is selected
Course Description
The original course in the Inspired to Ski programme and still the most popular. Why? Because the course focuses on developing all-round performance, on all slopes and in all conditions at your level. You'll ski in a group with an Inspired to Ski trainer for 3 hours a day (5 days) deceloping and exploring the techniques required to ski all the mountain. It's a great way to experience good, sound, quality instruction, enjoying your skiing and learning how best to cope with conditions that may scare, inhibit or challenge you in a relaxing, friendly environment.
All Mountain Performance Course is available on the following dates:
Liftpasses and ski equipment are not included in the package prices. Some can be pre-booked.
 
Levels
All Mountain Performance is aimed at levels 3-6. Please check there is a course running for your exact level before booking. You will be given the opportunity to see full description on the booking form, but essentially:-
·        Level 3 - Blues and easy red runs
·        Level 4 - Red runs and easy black runs
·        Level 5 - Black runs and off piste, picking route carefully
·        Level 6 - Confident anywhere, any conditions, looking for more challenges
Itinerary
  • 3 hours a day for 5 days. (Day off may vary dependent on arrival date. Wednesday is usually the free day if arrival is on Saturday)
  • Welcome meeting on arrival: Our instructors will organise an optional welcome meeting on the evening of your arrival in resort. This is a chance for us to let you know all about the course ahead, the snow, weather conditions, to arrange the groups for the first day, to recommend ski equipment if you are hiring and for you to ask any questions.
  • Groups usually swop over at a designated lunch spot. If you are in the afternoon ski group, make sure you know where to meet for your sesson.
  • Feedback and Video Evenings: Most evenings, except on any days off or travel days we provide an optional, informal session that allows us to clarify the days activities, possibly revise the course to fit individual needs and look through any video footage. These sessions are a huge help to learning and great fun over a drink or two. Very informal, not optional but a real bonus.
Moving levels during the course: We try to encourage movement between groups during the course if necessary. So if you are looking for greater challenges or would like to take it easier we have that flexibility. We ask you to make sure you speak to your instructor or the course leader as soon as possible if you feel you are not in the correct group or wish to move groups
More General Course Details: http://www.inspiredtoski.com/coursedetails
Instructors

The team behind Inspired To Ski are amongst the best in the business.The structure of our courses allows us the flexibility to select the best instructors in the business. They are not only highly professional and qualified but extremely motivated for the success of their pupils. All independent ski teachers with many running their own ski schools and training programmes in Europe. They are internationally qualified (ISIA), hold Britain's top ski teaching qualification (BASI 1) and have reached the level where they are responsible for training other ski instructors how to teach. Team Inspired http://www.inspiredtoski.com/trainers

Inspired to Ski Bumps Performance


www.inspiredtoski.comITS All Mountain Performance
  • Hours: 3 hrs a day (5 days)
  • Levels: 3-6
  • Ratio: 1:6-7
  • Price: £245 - course fees only
  • Accommodation & travel options shown when course is selected
Course Description
This course will certainly help you be more confident and will give you the tools to descend bumps that previously you may have avoided. There is no magic other than simple, sound techniques that will give you the confidence to control your speed in the bumpiest of conditions. Given the right tools skiing bumps will not tire you but energise you to search for more! If your skis do not quite fit the turns or the turns do not quite fit the bumps, either way if you really want to crack this terrain then this course will fit the bill. We will teach you as many techniques and tactics as you need to negotiate this ever changing terrain and give you the confidence to tackle even the steepest beasts on the piste! The course is for level 4-6 and each group will work on skiing bumps at their own level.
Bumps Performance Course is available on the following dates:
*Travel and accommodation packages available, see under "Accommodation" for that particular resort. 
Liftpasses and ski equipment are not included in the package prices. Some can be pre-booked.
 
Levels
Bumps Performance is aimed at levels 4-6. Please check there is a course running for your exact level before booking. You will be given a chance to view full description of levels on the booking form, but essentially:-
·        Level 4 - Red runs and easy black runs
·        Level 5 - Black runs and off piste, picking route carefully
·        Level 6 - Confident anywhere, any conditions, looking for more challenges
Itinerary
  • 3 hours a day for 5 days. (Day off may vary dependent on arrival date. Wednesday is usually the free day if arrival is on Saturday)
  • Welcome meeting on arrival: Our instructors will organise an optional welcome meeting on the evening of your arrival in resort. This is a chance for us to let you know all about the course ahead, the snow, weather conditions, to arrange the groups for the first day, to recommend ski equipment if you are hiring and for you to ask any questions.
  • Groups usually swop over at a designated lunch spot. If you are in the afternoon ski group, make sure you know where to meet for your sesson.
  • Feedback and Video Evenings: Most evenings, except on any days off or travel days we provide an optional, informal session that allows us to clarify the days activities, possibly revise the course to fit individual needs and look through any video footage. These sessions are a huge help to learning and great fun over a drink or two. Very informal, not optional but a real bonus.
Moving levels during the course: We try to encourage movement between groups during the course if necessary. So if you are looking for greater challenges or would like to take it easier we have that flexibility. We ask you to make sure you speak to your instructor or the course leader as soon as possible if you feel you are not in the correct group or wish to move groups
More General Course Details: http://www.inspiredtoski.com/coursedetails
Instructors

The team behind Inspired To Ski are amongst the best in the business.The structure of our courses allows us the flexibility to select the best instructors in the business. They are not only highly professional and qualified but extremely motivated for the success of their pupils. All independent ski teachers with many running their own ski schools and training programmes in Europe. They are internationally qualified (ISIA), hold Britain's top ski teaching qualification (BASI 1) and have reached the level where they are responsible for training other ski instructors how to teach. Team Inspired http://www.inspiredtoski.com/trainers

Inspired to Ski Novice and Nervous


www.inspiredtoski.comITS Novice and Nervous
  • Hours: 3 hrs a day (5 days)
  • Levels: 1-3
  • Ratio: 1:6-7
  • Price: £245 - this is for course fees only
  • Accommodation & travel options shown when course is selected
Course Description
INSPIRE'S novice and nervous performance course is for skiers who may have limited experience, who wish to start off on the right foot, for those who are nervous and struggling to improve and/or need to boost their confidence!

If you are new to skiing, with very limited experience then book on this course - your progression is under the guidance of professionals and you will learn, improve and gain so much from a week with them.
Novice and Nervous Course is available on the following dates:

Liftpasses and ski equipment are not included in the package prices. Some can be pre-booked.
 
Levels
Novice and Nervous course is aimed at levels 3-6. Please check there is a course running for your exact level before booking. You will be given the opportunity to see full description on the booking form, but essentially:
·        Level 1 - Green runs
·        Level 2 - Greens and easy blues
·        Level 3 - Blues and easy red runs
Itinerary
  • 3 hours a day for 5 days. (Day off may vary dependent on arrival date. Wednesday is usually the free day if arrival is on Saturday)
  • Welcome meeting on arrival: Our instructors will organise an optional welcome meeting on the evening of your arrival in resort. This is a chance for us to let you know all about the course ahead, the snow, weather conditions, to arrange the groups for the first day, to recommend ski equipment if you are hiring and for you to ask any questions.
  • Groups usually swop over at a designated lunch spot. If you are in the afternoon ski group, make sure you know where to meet for your sesson.
  • Feedback and Video Evenings: Most evenings, except on any days off or travel days we provide an optional, informal session that allows us to clarify the days activities, possibly revise the course to fit individual needs and look through any video footage. These sessions are a huge help to learning and great fun over a drink or two. Very informal, not optional but a real bonus.
Moving levels during the course: We try to encourage movement between groups during the course if necessary. So if you are looking for greater challenges or would like to take it easier we have that flexibility. We ask you to make sure you speak to your instructor or the course leader as soon as possible if you feel you are not in the correct group or wish to move groups
More General Course Details: http://www.inspiredtoski.com/coursedetails
Instructors

The team behind Inspired To Ski are amongst the best in the business.The structure of our courses allows us the flexibility to select the best instructors in the business. They are not only highly professional and qualified but extremely motivated for the success of their pupils. All independent ski teachers with many running their own ski schools and training programmes in Europe. They are internationally qualified (ISIA), hold Britain's top ski teaching qualification (BASI 1) and have reached the level where they are responsible for training other ski instructors how to teach. Team Inspired http://www.inspiredtoski.com/trainers

Inspired to Ski 3 Day Performance


www.inspiredtoski.comITS 3 Day Performance
  • Hours: 5 sessions of 3 hrs each (2.5 days)
  • Levels: 3-6
  • Ratio: 1:6-7
  • Price: £199 - this is for course fees only
  • Accommodation & travel options shown when course is selected
Course Description
The 3 Day Performance course is essentially our All Mountain Performance course jammed into 2.5 days. All Mountain Performance is the original course in the Inspired to Ski programme and still the most popular. Why? Because the course focuses on developing all-round performance, on all slopes and in all conditions at your level. You'll ski in a group with an Inspired to Ski trainer for 3 hours a day (5 days) deceloping and exploring the techniques required to ski all the mountain. It's a great way to experience good, sound, quality instruction, enjoying your skiing and learning how best to cope with conditions that may scare, inhibit or challenge you in a relaxing, friendly environment.
3 Day Performance Course is available on the following dates:
Liftpasses and ski equipment are not included in the package prices. Some can be pre-booked.
 
Levels
All Mountain Performance is aimed at levels 3-6. Please check there is a course running for your exact level before booking. You will be given the opportunity to see full description on the booking form, but essentially:-
·        Level 3 - Blues and easy red runs
·        Level 4 - Red runs and easy black runs
·        Level 5 - Black runs and off piste, picking route carefully
·        Level 6 - Confident anywhere, any conditions, looking for more challenges
Itinerary
  • Essentially this course includes 5 sessions of 3 hours each : The first 2 days are "full days" with 2 sessions on each day and the last day has just 1 session in the morning. Leaving you free to ski for the afternoon or leave to get to the airport if you're on a tight schedule.
  • Welcome meeting (day prior to start of course): Our instructors will organise an optional welcome meeting on the evening of your arrival in resort. This is a chance for us to let you know all about the course ahead, the snow, weather conditions, to arrange the groups for the first day, to recommend ski equipment if you are hiring and for you to ask any questions.
  • Feedback and Video Evenings: Most evenings, except on any days off or travel days we provide an optional, informal session that allows us to clarify the days activities, possibly revise the course to fit individual needs and look through any video footage. These sessions are a huge help to learning and great fun over a drink or two. Very informal, not optional but a real bonus.
Moving levels during the course: We try to encourage movement between groups during the course if necessary. So if you are looking for greater challenges or would like to take it easier we have that flexibility. We ask you to make sure you speak to your instructor or the course leader as soon as possible if you feel you are not in the correct group or wish to move groups
More General Course Details: http://www.inspiredtoski.com/coursedetails
Instructors

The team behind Inspired To Ski are amongst the best in the business.The structure of our courses allows us the flexibility to select the best instructors in the business. They are not only highly professional and qualified but extremely motivated for the success of their pupils. All independent ski teachers with many running their own ski schools and training programmes in Europe. They are internationally qualified (ISIA), hold Britain's top ski teaching qualification (BASI 1) and have reached the level where they are responsible for training other ski instructors how to teach. Team Inspired http://www.inspiredtoski.com/trainers

UCPA U18s Ski or Snowboard Instruction


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 Balneo


UCPA Ski Balneo

Levels: All
Ratio: 1:10-12
Included: Liftpass, Skis & Boots
Included: 7 Nights Accommodation & All Meals
 

Italian Family Ski Special


ski