The 7 resorts that UCPA have chosen for Club Exclusive 18–30 are:

• La Plagne 1800
• Chamonix
• Valloire
• Les Deux Alpes
• Tignes
• Serre Chevalier
• Val Thorens

Here are our hot tips about the resorts....

Best resorts for cruising long wide pistes

Tignes – The Espace Killy ski area is truly massive boasting an amazing 96 lifts which give access to over 300km of piste. 

Val Thorens – ​With a total of 140km of piste served by 32 fast lifts pretty much all of which are located above 2000m.

Valloire - The area is best suited to beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, there are over 86 runs that are designed for intermediates so it really is a great resort for this standard of skier

La Plagne 1800 - Expansive, picturesque resort perfect for beginners and intermediates to improve on long, wide open pistes, and for experts to challenge themselves on the vast terrain

Best resorts for Off Piste

Chamonix – The off piste/backcountry snowboarding is what makes the Chamonix Valley so special. The depth and variety of lift accessed high mountain and backcountry terrain is outstanding including Europe's longest off piste run, the Vallee Blanche, and the infamous Grand Montets ski area.

Tignes – In addition to the fantastic piste network the Espace Killy offers one of the largest lift served off piste areas in the world, there is more than enough to keep even the most adventurous skiers entertained.

Most comfortable UCPA centres

Serre Chevalier – Ski in ski out with a fantastic sun deck overlooking the slopes and an outdoor heated pool!

Val Thorens – Ski in ski out with it’s very own nightclub. The highest spec UCPA centre.

Best resorts for Après ski and nightlife

Tignes – Where to start! The original site for Folie Douce and now Cocorico in both Val d’Isere and Tignes, the Espace Killy’s slopeside après is second to none. In town you will find the party in Le Petit Danois with a live band in Val and Loop Bar at the bottom of Trolles in Tignes.

Val Thorens – As well as a Folie Douce, Bar 360 provides ​a great party. Malaysia is the largest nightclub in the alps and often has an array of DJs playing.

Les Deux Alpes – With over 40 bars along the town's main strip. Kick off your après at Pano Bar, opposite the Jandri Express mid-station. It has a sunny terrace with panoramic views, great music, and live DJs from 3pm and 5pm. Then when you’re back down the mountain, Smokey Joe’s leads the way, with Tex-Mex food, big screens, live music and a daily happy hour.

Club Exclusive 18–30 Itinerary

Arrival day - Saturday

Arrival from 18:00, check in, register and evening meal.

Sunday

Equipment and lift pass issue in the morning, breakfast and then free skiing/snowboarding all day. Beginners will have 2 hours of lessons in the afternoon. In the evening there will be a 'welcome meeting' to explain the layout and any events throughout the week.

Monday and Tuesday

Meet your instructor in the morning, skiing/snowboarding close to other groups to allow for harmonisation amongst each group - so the ability levels are well matched. Beginners will have all day lessons, all other abilites will have 2.5 hours of lessons each day with half a day free skiing. 

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Beginners will have supervision in the afternoons (if they wish) and can free ski in the mornings. All other abilities can select from the 'optional extras' where you can choose 2 x off piste guiding/lessons or extra lessons, or you can spend the rest of the week without instruction. 

Departure day - Saturday 

The last day, you have the morning free skiing, hand equipment back by 12:00 and check out of your rooms by 13:00. Final meal is lunch before leaving resort. Depart 14:00. 

Do I need lessons?

It depends what you want to take away from your trip. Lessons are a great way to meet other people, improve your skiing/snowboarding and be shown the best areas of the resort for the current conditions. There are lessons for all abilities from beginner to expert including off piste. There are enough skiers and boarders that the groups are often very similar in terms of level and ability, thus very little time is spent waiting around for others. Lessons are included in the 18 - 30 holidays, but you don't have to attend them all (just make sure you let the instructor know if you won't be there).

UCPA instructors are all trained in house and are ​extremely experienced. Throughout the week you will have the same instructor who will be able to really develop your skiing/snowboarding.

If you're a beginner the answer is almost certainly yes. It might look easy, but your first turns ​will always be the hardest​!

UCPA centres are an excellent place to go as a group of friends or as a solo traveller for a variety of reasons.

The buffet style meals create a relaxed atmosphere and the dining area is canteen style with large tables shared amongst various groups and individuals. Within the centre there are communal areas and bar(s) which sell fairly priced drinks.

The courses are also a great way to meet other people, learn new skills and explore the best areas for the current conditions. Plus the multi share rooms allow you to easily meet others in your room and their friends from their courses.

UCPA have a partnership with Rossignol and 50% of their stock is replenished each year. So you will most likely be using recent models of Rossignol skis, maintained and serviced by professional ski technicians. The specific skis you use will depend on your ability and the course you are doing.

You are provided with skis, boots, and poles. The only other equipment you need is personal clothing.

If throughout the week you have some issues with your ​equipment and need to change any part of it, it is no problem to have it swapped or ​adjusted.

The UCPA accommodation is referred to as ‘centres’. These can best be described as being on the scale between activity centres, nice hostels and basic hotels. Some centres are newly renovated and very modern where as some are slightly older, however they are all very clean, warm, sociable and in great locations.

Rooms are shared therefore if you select the multi share option you will be allocated a bed in a room with a couple of other people (usually 4-6 people per room). If you are travelling alone this will be a single sex room, if you are travelling with mates it may be a mixed room. The UCPA always tries to room friends together and 99% of the time this is possible, however in some very rare circumstances they are unable to do so. The only way to 100% guarantee you are roomed with a friend is for you both to select the private twin room option and pay the extra supplement.

Private twin rooms are available in most of the centres for 2 people travelling together, availability is limited though.

The UCPA is very sociable and the shared room set up means that the UCPA is a perfect environment for solo travellers or people keen to meet similar minded people. Usually toilets and shower facilities are shared between a few rooms. The UCPA has plenty of social areas including a bar, so the bedrooms really are for sleeping only.

You will be required to make your beds on arrival and strip your beds when you leave. You are also expected to give your room a clean before you go. This helps keep the UCPA holiday costs low.

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