Summary

Les Arcs |

Firstly I would definitely recommend Action Outdoors. This is the 5th ski holiday I have been with them and they have always been very helpful even when I have had to change details of members of my party or cancel a person's booking who couldn't go.

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La Plagne |

I went to La Plagne in jan on a solo holiday. I was a bit nervous about meeting a load of strangers and was my first time skiing too! Well I needn't have worried. Keryn our rep made us feel really welcome and brought us all together. The UCPA centre was fab. Clean, warm and great food. The views up the piste were just gorgeous. I could not fault the holiday at all. Well organised, safe and loads of fun. I would definitely book through action outdoors again. Thanks guys. I've a new love for skiing :-)

Tignes |

I spent the New year in Tignes at the UCPA and had an amazing time. It was my first time at UCPA but do enamoured that I immediately booked a second trip for February.

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Serre Chevalier | Ski Full Time Instruction

I went to Serre Chevalier in February. The centre was good, pleasant bar area and reasonably sized double rooms. The instructors weekly jump show into the swimming pool was a highlight.

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Tignes |

I recently stayed at the Tignes (Val Claret) UCPA centre and had the best weeks skiing ever. I booked through the Action Outdoors website which was pretty straight forward. This was my first time in a UCPA centre and I was travelling with my girlfriend and four friends – a mix of skiers and boarders ranging in experience from complete beginner to ex-seasonaires. On arrival after a long coach journey we were greeted by a cheerful and welcoming team at the UCPA centre who gave us the lowdown on the arrival procedures. The centre was extremely well organised and helpful staff made the task of checking in/booking onto lessons/collecting lift pass and equipment so much easier than I have experienced in any other resort.

As we had arrived early we left our bags in the bar and went out to explore the resort. The centre is located close to everything you need with shops/bars and restaurants all within a few hundred metres of the front door.

I had heard mixed reviews about the quality of the rooms at UCPA centres but was pleasantly surprised with what we were given. My girlfriend and I had opted to pay the supplement to go in a twin room which was well worth it when it only costs around £5 extra a night. Our room had twin beds, a table and chairs, wardrobe, wash basin and a balcony. We shared a toilet and shower with the room next door. Although the rooms were basic they were perfect for a weeks skiing, plenty of storage and comfortable beds – what more do you need?

The equipment collection and storage area was well thought out and made it easy to drop off and collect your skis/boards at the start and end of each day. A 50 metre walk to the drag rope and you were good to go. The equipment itself was in good condition. One of my friends had a problem with her binding on the first day but this was quickly rectified by a member of UCPA staff.

Espace Killy is by far the best ski area I have experienced in Europe. Fast lifts and lots of them with no queues at all. The high altitude and decent snow depths this April meant we could ski pretty much the whole of the area, top to bottom, glaciers to tree skiing – Espace Killy has the lot!

One of the highlights of our trip was probably the Apres, especially ‘La Folie Douce’ over on the Val d’Isere side. This is a must for anyone visiting – just check out the videos on youtube. The bars in Tignes were a little quiet but it was getting towards the end of the season. Most had a happy hour and you could get a pint of beer for 4 euros.

My girlfriend was a beginner and had chosen the half time instruction. She was put in a group of around 8 skiers on the first morning but then moved to a smaller group of three for the rest of the week as the instructors thought this would be more suitable for her. In the space of a few days her skiing and confidence improved considerably and she was comfortably tackling red runs with no fear! She said her instructors were brilliant and although were not fluent in English they knew enough to teach her and show her the ski area.

The food at the UCPA centre was very good. Breakfast was a continental style buffet with a range of cereals, bread, croissants and fruit. Lunch was a full meal with several hot choices, desserts and cheeses. Dinner was a different theme each night including Italian and Mexican and. Just like breakfast both lunch and dinner were buffets and you could have as much as you like. One lunch time I had steak and chips- twice! That would cost 40 euros on the slopes!

The overall atmosphere in the centre was very welcoming and relaxed. I was surprised how many people had come on their own but the open bar/entertainment area really lent itself to meeting new people and discussing the days skiing. It was also nice to see all of the instructors and staff mingling with the guests at meal times and evenings.

The only criticism that I had with the centre was the stairs! Our room was on the top (5th floor) and after a days hard skiing the legs struggled with the stairs!

I had to think twice about writing this review. Part of me did not want to submit it. I selfishly want UCPA to remain a secret so that I can book more amazing cheap ski trips but the other part of me wants to let other skiers/boarders know about this hidden gem. UCPA really is the best way to go on a winter holiday. You literally cannot do it any cheaper!

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Chamonix | Ski Full Time

After flying into Geneva, I found the desk for my transfer and waited for the mini bus driver and the rest of the transfer passengers. I was a bit nervous as I was travelling solo and I had never been on a solo skiing holiday before; I was unsure what to expect. The transfer company were very friendly and the rep chatted to me as the other passengers started to arrive. I noticed that some of them were also travelling solo and this made me feel more at ease.

We dropped a couple of people off  at Hotels and Chalets in Chamonix and then we arrived at my Hostel, which was the UCPA. My driver commented that I was lucky to be staying here as it was very central.

I found my room key in reception and headed up to my room. It was late at night and the other girls I was sharing with had already arrived and were in bed. I went into to room quietly and found the sheets were all ready on the bed for me.

In the morning we all introduced ourselves and found that we were all of a similar age and were also all young professionals, so we had a few things in common. I think the allocation of rooming was very good as they must have considered this when placing people.

The breakfast in the hostel was excellent and I found that as they were a 'non for profit' organisation the food would continue to be generous through out the week. It was a self service buffet, but the food did not run out and there was lots of choice. You also made your own baguette and packed lunch at breakfast to take up the mountain with you, there was a choice of lots of different cuts of meat and cheese, salads, crisps and fruit.

After breakfast I went down to the boot room, which was also the ski fit room to be fitted with a board and boots. I was asked my level so that they could put me into a group for instruction the next day. After fitting, I decided to head up the mountain and met a couple of other boarders in the boot room who went with me, it seemed really easy to make friends and everyone was very friendly.

The main lift was a bit of a walk from the Hostel and there is a bus stop which goes to the mountain about a 5 minute walk from the UCPA, which we later found out! For the rest of the week, we got the bus to the mountain with our instructor and went to several different resorts in the Chamonix valley including Grands Montets, Brevent and Flegere. Our instructor was very good and catered for all the levels in the group. The instructors were also aware of peoples different abilities and moved a few people around during the first couple of days. Our instructor took time to instruct each member of the group individually during the day and to give tips on technique.

In the evenings there was lots of Apres  in the Hostel, something different every night. Activities started off with a free stretching class every evening before dinner in the Hostel. This was a bit like yoga and was optional, but helped if you felt a bit stiff after a day on the slopes!

After dinner, there was a different activity every evening. These included, Poker, Karaoke, Quiz night and some outings like wine tasting and bar crawl. Again , these were optional so you could take part in as much or as little as you liked.

Many people opted to stay in the bar in the Hostel after dinner for a few beers and to socialise. This was very relaxed and everyone made an effort to talk to one another. There were people for all over the world staying in the Hostel and I enjoyed the cosmopolitan feel of the place.

Chamonix is quite a large town for a ski resort and is bigger than many places I had been before, so I would advise making sure you find out where the bus stations are and to get a map of the town on the first day. There are lots of bars to choose from in town if you do want to venture out for Apres ski in the evening and there are also a few clubs which are open late.

On the last day as I handed in my equipment and had a late flight,so  I took the train up the mountain to the glacier with some friends I had made at the UCPA. I  would advise that this trip is worth doing and was very inexpensive for the fare. The views were amazing from the top!

I would definitely stay in a UCPA Hostel again as I thought it was extremely good value for money, friendly and there was lots of Apres to choose from. The food was excellent especially if you like cheese as they had an amazing cheese board every night!

The only one thing I would change is that I would like to share a twin room next time as I am getting a bit old for bunk beds, which is a little more expensive but still very reasonable. However, if you don't mind bunk beds then the shared dorm is good. I made lots of new friends on this trip many of which I am still in touch with.  Thank you UCPA!

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Serre Chevalier | Ski Full Time

My last trip to UCPA was back in March to Serre Chevalier. It was not easy to get there and the travel turned out to be more expensive compared to the resorts where transfer is from Geneva, but it was worth it in the end.

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Chamonix | Ski Full Time Beginner

Chamonix… The atmosphere was sparkling! Being there I got the best weather as well. So two most important factors were on top level.

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Flaine | Ski Full Time Instruction

Staying with UCPA in Flaine in January 2013 was possibly one of my favorite ski holidays yet. It was my first time with UCPA so I was not sure what to expect but I was not to be disappointed. The ski instruction was brilliant and we were lucky to have a huge snowfall half way through the week too. We had group lessons every day and our instructor was great fun. It would have been even better if the group sizes were smaller (ours was 12 people) but you can’t have everything! My skiing improved dramatically and I really built my confidence up during this week, and am now keen to push myself even further next year with UCPA! I stayed in a twin room in Flaine and the accommodation was reasonably basic, but more than adequate with en-suite facilities. Downstairs there is a nice big bar area with a fire in the middle of it, which was a great way to meet up with friends after a hard day of skiing. Evening activities were amusing and I took part in stretching most nights and we especially enjoyed the karaoke, being in the minority as a group of English amongst the French singers! The food was incredible with so much choice every evening – that was a real highlight of UCPA. I can not wait to go again!

Chamonix | Ski Full Time

Well, I didn't know what to expect when booking my Action Outdoors holiday. I had been debating a ski trip for a while, weighing up the pro's and con's, should I shouldn't I? However, I took the plunge and booked my holiday and left that evening - somewhat last minute! However, the help that Chris in the office gave when booking set the tone for what was a great trip and I wasn't disappointed.

It had been a while sine I'd been on a solo holiday, was I too old? What would the others be like? I boarded the snow express at Folkstone a little bit apprehensive, but I need not have been, from that point on it there was never a dull moment and it was easy to get chatting to people in exactly the same position, so although the coach is not the most luxurious way to travel and doesn't suit everyone, it is a good way to get to meet people if a solo traveller.

Chamonix is a great resort, and the UCPA accommodation is fine, yes, you are in a shared room, but for the amount of time you are in your room, it hardly really matters, and after all you are all there for the same type of holiday, so are going to be like minded and all get up early for lessons in the morning. You never go hungry in Chamonix UCPA, the food was excellent, Eric the chef is wonderful and meal times are very sociable, an opportunity to chat with others from your dorm, your lessons, that you met on the coach, so lots of laughter and conversation. Steak night was a real highlight. The opportunity to make packed lunches was great and the items on offer were a real surprise and more than I had expected.

As well as all this great stuff, the skiing was brilliant too! The fact that your equipment hire, lessons and lift passes are all included makes this a really attractive option. The lessons were my far the best I have had. I've not had lessons for a couple of years, so thought I'd struggle to keep up the pace. The instructors were brilliant in sorting out the abilities on the first day and I found myself in a great group with a brilliant instructor, Olivier, who not only challenged us, but gave us the confidence to try out things, taking us off piste on the last day was a real highlight and we all really enjoyed the experience. The group size was perfect too, not too big and he really made the most of the time we had, there wasn't lots of waiting around.

The nightlife in Chamonix is good if that is what you are looking for, however, chatting over dinner and wine in the UCPA is just a good an option as there is always someone to get to know. The fact that there were people from all over Europe on the week that I went meant that there were lots of interesting conversations.

All in all, it was a holiday that didn't disappoint and I would certainly look to do a similar trip next year, so look out for me on the slopes!

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