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is there availability?

Generally, if a price is showing under Dates & Prices, it means that the course is available to book.

If you book, and it turns out that we can not confirm your holiday, you will be offered an alternative of an equal or higher value. Or the option to cancel without penalty.

Large groups are advised to check first by phone or email.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question then maybe it's answered below. If it's not then don't worry - there are real people at Action Outdoors who are happy to help you out via e-mail or telephone.

Why is there a difference in price between skiing & boarding ?

Boarding equipment is more expensive than skiing and is not so adaptable, however the difference is small – around £8 only. The price difference still applies even if you bring your own board.

I’m a complete beginner – should I ski or board ?

Always a good debate and rivalry between skiers and boarders ! Boarding used to be much easier to learn than skiing, but with the advent of modern carving skis it takes a pretty similar amount of time to get going. Whilst learning, the falls are almost certainly harder for boarders, though once you get going they are much the same. At expert level skiers are definitely looking just as good as the boarders on the snowpark, although off piste is easier to learn on a board. Personal choice. What we definitely don't recommend is to try and learn both in one week!

Can I learn to ski & board on the same holiday ?

We would advise not to ! It takes time to get good at either of the sports, and unless you are living in a resort it really is best just to concentrate on only one of the sports.

Why are your holidays so cheap?

We say they are good value rather than cheap ! The instruction is provided by “in-house” instructors, the equipment is bought in bulk and UCPA get a great price on lift passes. The main saving is in the “no-frills” accommodation – yes you have to clean your own room, the food is buffet style and you have to clear your own table – this allows the prices to be kept rock-bottom.

I’m travelling on my own – will I meet other solo travellers ?

Yes! We have quite a few people travel on their own – mainly because the UCPA environment is so social – you meet your room mates, you meet your ski group and there is a real open, friendly atmosphere for dining and partying. Added to all that, there’s no single supplements.

Can I book a twin room ?

In some of the centres that’s possible – see the holiday pages for more detail. UCPA Flaine Lindars has the most twin rooms. You’ll see it as an option in your booking if there is availability. Most of our centres only have a few twin rooms that get quickly booked out.

What are the room sharing arrangements ?

The room details vary from centre to centre – see the holiday pages for more detail. The detailed sharing arrangements are made by the centre’s reception staff a few days before you arrive – if you book as a group then they will automatically put you all in together. If you have an odd number then you will share with other people who have booked the same week. They always make an effort to match ages and language whenever possible.

What type of insurance should I have ?

Your insurance needs to cover all the activities that you intend to do. Check particularly for winter sports cover and especially for off piste skiing or boarding. It is a condition of booking that you have insurance cover and we strongly recommend that you arrange insurance soon after you book, not just before travelling. Your insurance will cover you (but check limitations) if your holiday is cancelled due to flight disruption, unpredictable weather or if you suffer an injury that prevents you or your partner from travelling. Action Outdoors are not liable to pay a refund if you cancel your holiday due to circumstances outside our control.

What does your insurance cover ?

We no longer provide insurance.

I’m already a good skier / boarder – why should I take any lessons ?

Often many good skiers get into a bit of a rut – maybe you’re the best skier in your group of friends and it’s hard to get any better. The top groups are genuinely expert level – many of the group will have worked seasons, or been brought up in a ski area. There is a huge advantage in skiing with a group, all at a high level, with an instructor helping find the best conditions, best slopes and encouraging you to ski at your best. It is not the army and you don't have to attend every day, we would suggest you book onto the lessons (the price difference is very small) and then give it a go. It is difficult to join in lessons in resort if you haven't booked in advance.

Will all my friends be in the same ski group ?

Ski groups are organised according to level – that way everyone in the group is at a similar level allowing everyone to ski together. It is possible to move down a group to be with a particular friend, but we’d encourage everyone to make the most of the excellent instruction. Either way there’s plenty of time to ski outside of the lessons, and the groups are a fantastic way to meet lots more people whilst on holiday.

My friend is a boarder & I’m a skier – will we be in the same group ?

Skiing and boarding are always in different groups – the speed of travel and completely different techniques make it impossible for an instructor to teach both. Don’t worry though, there’s still lots of time to meet up with your mates and ski / board together.

Can I book direct with UCPA ?

You can. However, we are the UK agent for UCPA so if you book with us you’ll pay exactly the same price, be able to confirm your holiday with just a deposit, automatically add the Saturday night, choose from a great range of travel options we offer and get the friendly advice & service of Action Outdoors.

I’ve got my own equipment – should I bring it ?

By all means – and most of our travel options have no extra charges either. However the skis & boards provided are of good quality and are well maintained, so it’s maybe better just to take your own boots and use UCPA equipment – particularly if you are flying and have to pay the supplement. Unfortunately there are no discounts available if you do bring your own.

What is your cancellation policy ?

Cancellation by you

Any amendments with 31 days may take the cancellation charge depending on what is being amended.

Should you or any member of your party need to cancel your chosen holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. As we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking and may be unable to re-sell your holiday, the following cancellation charges will be payable. Where the cancellation charge is shown as a percentage, this is calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling any amendment / cancellation charges which have already been incurred. Insurance premiums and amendment / cancellation charges are not refundable in the event of the person(s) to whom they apply cancelling.

Period before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us

Cancellation charge per person cancelling

More than 45 days prior to departure Loss of deposit

44 to 31 days prior to departure 40%

30 to 15 days prior to departure 60%

14 or less 100% 

Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned.

* If any member(s) of your party is/are prevented from travelling, the person(s) concerned will be able to transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing the following requirements are complied with. We must be notified of the transfer(s) not less than [two weeks] before departure. A transfer will not be possible if there is a waiting list for places in which case the available place must be offered to the next person on that list. Where a transfer to a person of your choice can be made, all costs and charges incurred by us and/or incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers as a result together with an amendment fee of £20 must be paid before the transfer can be effected. For flight only, or flight inclusive bookings, you must pay the charges levied by the airline concerned. As most airlines do not permit name changes after tickets have been issued for any reason, these charges are likely to be the full cost of the flight. 

Full terms and Conditions

Can I pay in instalments ?

Unfortunately we’re not geared up for that – however you can secure your holiday with a deposit, then pay the balance 8 weeks before travel.

Are helmets provided for skiers / boarders ?

They are available at Serre Chevalier, but not at our other centres. It’s a very personal choice, it is not a legal requirement for adults to wear helmets in France. Most hire shops have them available if you don’t want to buy.

What about clothing – is that provided ?

Only equipment such as skis, boots etc is provided. You need personal clothing that keeps you warm & dry. You can hire in the UK – eg www.edge2edge.co.uk , buy at various retailers or better still borrow from some mates ! It is not very easy to hire clothing in resort.

Is my money safe with Action Outdoors ?

We hold an ATOL Licence issued by the government Civil Aviation Authority CAA department. Our licence number is 9658. You can check if any operator holds a valid licence on www.caa.co.uk

 

Total Payment Protection (topp) Policy cover:

In compliance with the UK Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organiser’s Licensing) Regulations 1995 an insurance policy has been arranged with Travel & General Insurance Company plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, to protect customers’ prepayments in the unlikely event of our financial failure and paid in respect of:
• flight inclusive packages commencing and returning to the UK
• non-flight inclusive packages commencing and returning to the UK
• the ground handling aspects of packages where the customer is responsible for arranging travel to the destination
• accommodation only holidays
offered in this brochure/literature/document/on this website (subject to the terms of the insurance policy), for:
• a refund of such prepayments if customers have not yet travelled, or
• making arrangements to enable the holiday to continue if customers have already travelled, or
• repatriation of customers to the UK
Customers’ prepayments are protected by a topp policy. In the unlikely event of financial failure please contact the claims helpline on 0870 0137 965. A copy of the policy is available on request.
 

Winter competition terms and conditions

Winter Competition Terms and Conditions
  1. Entrants must be over 18 - proof of identity may be required
  2. Employees (and their families) and associates of Action Outdoors and Action Cameras may not enter the competition
  3. Use of a false name or address will result in disqualification although any material submitted may still be used
  4. The prize for the season competition is a GoPro HD Hero 2 Outdoor Edition camera and a holiday with Action Outdoors to UCPA Lacanau
  5. Prizes are subject to availability
  6. The prizes are non transferable and there is no cash alternative
  7. We reserve the right to change the prize at any time during the competition
  8. No responsibility can be taken for lost entries
  9. The winner is responsible for any expenses or arrangements not specifically included in the prizes
  10. Action Outdoors and Action Cameras have the right to use any material submitted for the competition - including for commercial purposes
  11. We reserve the right to amend or alter the terms of the competition or reject entries from entrants not entering into the spirit of the competition
  12. The winner agrees to their name being disclosed and agrees to co-operate with any reasonable requests for post winning publicity
  13. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the winner. In the event that the winner cannot be contacted or is unable to comply with our terms and conditions we reserve the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant
  14. The decision of the judges is final and we will not enter into any correspondence over the decision