Chamonix
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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!