As we wrap up Winter 2024/25, we asked the team to reflect on some of their favourite stories from the season. Maya, on her second ski season and first with us, shares her experience as a social rep on the UCPA Solo Travel Week at Val Thorens.
I have spent this winter season working for Action Outdoors as part of the Operations team and was asked to act as social rep at one of our solo travellers’ weeks – it’s a tough life, I know!
Before piling into the coach to make the snowy journey down to Val Thorens, I created a WhatsApp group with 50 solo travellers to kick off all the socialising. The forecast promised fresh snowfall over the weekend, followed by a week of bluebird days; we had a fantastic week ahead of us.
UCPA Centre Life
Arriving at the UCPA Val Thorens centre on Saturday, we wrapped up all of the introductions and icebreakers after dinner, before hitting the slopes first thing Sunday morning. Picture trying to keep 20+ people together in low visibility and on a powder day... it certainly added to the adventure! We gathered for a hot lunch back at the centre to warm up.
The next day it was sunny, so I upgraded my pass to include the 3 Valleys - an absolute must if your course doesn’t already include it (some do, make sure to check this when booking!). From the party slopes at Val Thorens to the Gucci-clad skiers at Courcheval, each valley offers a unique skiing experience.
Evenings were just as lively as the days. Bar activities included karaoke and 'Guess the Song'. While many of the songs were in French (making it a little trickier for us), the animator gave us points for dancing, which made for an entertaining night. It was also a great excuse to throw ourselves into some French pop culture – I’ve come away knowing “La Tribu de Dana” and the boat song and dance, a real immersive experience!
Val Thorens Resort Life
Naturally, being in Val Thorens, we simply had to try out the apres scene as well. 360Bar and La Folie Douce were the bars of choice on the pistes. You could hear the music from down the slopes before the crowd even became visible. Aperol spritz in hand, dancing in ski boots in the sun? Absolutely! We made our way into town to the famous Cafe Snesko Bar. It’s always a good time here, with the bartenders dancing on the tables and the playlist full of 90s and 00s hits. It was the perfect routine for the week – skiing in the powder, then relaxing and enjoying the après-ski scene, all under the sunshine and buzzing atmosphere of Val Thorens.
The last day brought some pretty extreme winds! Windy enough to the point that I was slapped in the face by ice coming off the chair lift… all part of the adventure, right?! Given the conditions, we decided to hunt down the famous ice cave in Val Thorens. If you ski a bit off the piste from the Christina run (just off the Peclet lift), you will find a little ice cave tucked away. A perfect break from the wind, and the glacier ice is just stunning!
Round up of the week
This was an action-packed week, where I felt my skiing improved drastically. There were always events/activities happening at the centre, from stretch classes to wind down, evening aperitifs (including fresh cakes!) to even a nightclub stashed away upstairs! We were free to participate in as much or as little as we wanted.
What really made the week special, though, was the group. Whether it was chatting in the ski room, bumping into people on the stairs, or sharing a laugh in the dining hall, there was always someone to socialise with. If you're considering joining a Solo Week next season, don’t hesitate. You’ll leave with more than just memories – you'll leave with friends from around the world.