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Splitboard Courses

If you like to venture past the piste markers to escape the crowds in search of the best conditions then you have to try splitboarding! UCPA has a huge range of courses for all abilities, from advanced level courses for those relatively new to off piste to expert level high moutain and splitboarding courses. The more advanced levels are led by qualified mountain guides that will push your limits with some of the best descents in the area.

Riding off piste comes with some real dangers that's why it's vital even the most experienced off piste snowboarders explore new or unfamiliar areas with a qualified guide. As well as refreshing avalanche safety and offering helpful tips for improving your technique, the UCPA guide's local knowledge comes with the advantage of knowing where to find the best conditions and descents. So as well as being safer while in the mountains you will also get to experience the very best the area has to offer. 

 

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Level

The UCPA has courses for advanced level snowboarders who want to learn and develop off piste skills. Equally there are courses for expert level off piste boarders who want to be challenged, improve their self reliance in the mountains and of course find the best conditions. Read the course descriptions carefully to ensure you select a course at the right level for you. The UCPA instructors/guides will move anyone from the course that they feel aren't the correct level. This is important for the safety and the enjoyment of the group.

Course

Full Time (23 Hrs)

You will have 9 or 10 half day sessions in group with your instructor or guide. You'll still have free boarding time at the end of each day and on Sunday and Saturday to board with friends, practise or just relax. The more advanced courses that involve glacier boarding or rope work to access steep routes will be led by a UAIGM qualified guide (very often they are also fully qualified ski instructors too).

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Teaching Style

UCPA teaching style is different to the private instruction you may have experienced before. You spend much more time with your instructor/guide and the group therefore it's much less formal, less intense and more fun. Of course you will be learning but this isn't 'ski school' it's all about boarding, having fun, challenging yourself and learning the skills and knowledge to become safer in the mountains. 

    Equipment

    You will be provided with a splitboard, boots, transceiver, shovel and probe. For more advanced courses harnesses and climbing gear will be provided too. 

    Social

    One of the nicest things about a UCPA holiday is the social aspect - it's a great way to meet new people through sharing good sporting times together. Whether you travel by yourself, or with friends you're sure to make some great new friendships through the week.

    One thing you can be sure of is that you'll be with a great bunch of like minded people and with one of the best instructors on the mountain.

    splitboarding off piste touring

    Itinerary

    Will vary from resort to resort - typically:-

    Saturday - Arrival day, check in & meet other participants

    Sunday - Collect equipment early morning, free boarding day 

    Mon - Fri - Guided boarding in groups with your instructor. Normally Wednesday is just a 1/2 day of instruction.

    Saturday - Departure day, board till lunchtime, enjoy a lunch, clear your room & say good bye (till the next time) 

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    UCPA AGE POLICY

    UCPA was originally set up to provide affordable adventure holiday packages for people aged 18 to ​39.

    Today the UCPA has a wide variety of excellent value ski & snowboard packages for people of all ages.

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    Testimonials

    • I really liked the fact that everything was included in the package, from equipment hire, to all the meals during day; from skiing lessons to evening entertainments!
      Tong Tong
    • In my opinion, UCPA should really stand for something like ‘Unbelievably Cheap, Perfectly Awesome’ because it really is the best way to see the French Alps on a budget.  Or not even on a budget for that matter, because the enthusiasm of the instructors, quality (and quantity!) of the food and genera...
      Amelia S
    • Lastly, food. It was the best bit for me. We had 4 days of fresh powder and the last 2 days with perfect visibility and the food was still the best bit! (might be a slight exaggeration, but only a slight).
      Ron H
    • The food is PHENOMENAL at UCPA – brilliant for those with eyes bigger than their belly. 
      Asim A
    • There is always a range of ages, nationalities, mixtures of solo travellers, couples, groups etc. We have booked as a group of 6, a group of 36 (no joke) and even just me and my boyfriend – it works for all.
      Anna R
    • The accommodation is just what is needed as a base when skiing; for evening drinks, a good night’s sleep or rousing entertainment, UCPA always ends up the heartbeat of a week with quizzes, karaoke and a...
      Elliot B
    • What I hadn’t realised from my internet research was how brilliant the non-skiing experience in the UCPA centre itself would be – and that was what really made the holiday for me...
      Oliver P
    • The instructors always push you to go that extra mile – I even managed to go down the mountain backwards last time! – but are totally cool when you’ve had enough and that vin chaud is calling your name. 
      Amelia S
        

    REVIEWS – READ WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US!

    Reviews 1 to 10 of 37
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    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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    Val d'Isere | Snowboard Half Time

    I went on Snowboarding holidays by myself Xmas time. I'm single girl and unfortunately most of my friends are either couples or would not go on skiing and boarding vacation. At first I was a little bit worried, but as soon as I got on a bus with other travellers I was hit by amazing bubbly atmosphere. All the guides and instructors were very friendly, always happy to help and advice. This was an amazing surprise considering that most of them work on very low pay. Also I met bunch of great friends. I opted to stay with three other girls in shared room, and all of us get on very well. Usually I'm used to more expensive and luxury holidays. Despite all the rooms being very basic, it was very clean, food was fantastic and snowboarding equipment was very new. I would definitely recommend to any single or a couple or bunch of friends to go with this company. I'm actually just about to book my summer holidays with them now. It's a little bit different to drinking and partying and I love it !

    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.

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    Serre Chevalier | Snowboard Off Piste

    I visited Serre Chavalier for a  UCPA Off Piste Snowboarding holiday in January of this year (13th-20th).

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    Tignes | Snowboard Half Time

    This was my fifth UCPA trip via Action Outdoors.  And each time I booked I hardly had any issues.  If I had any questions, Action Outdoors emailed back very swiftly with helpful answers.  The only thing that I could make a point on this trip was that we weren't told of any transfer details from the airport to the resort until I had to call the bus operators (Ben's buses in this case) directly.  All the other times, we were texted the transfer details and didn't have much of a problem.  The info on Action Outdoors page was very thorough and informative.  The only point I could make on the website is that when we try and log in to our group page by logging in as opposed to clicking the link from the email, it was quite difficult to locate it, in fact I don't think I ever located the group page by logging in - I think I had to search for my Action Outdoors email each time to click the link.

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    Argentiere | Beginners Snowboarding

    As a 19 year old with the expensive hobby of snowboarding, finding the money to go on trips away isn't always easy however with the deal that Action Outdoors was offering I couldn't resist!

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    Chamonix | Ski Off Piste

    I love love love UCPA holidays. Having been to Flaine and Serre Chevalier in the past couple of years this year we went to Chamonix over New Year. The Chamonix centre is a little dated in places but the rooms are clean and comfy and the centre is right in the middle of Cham with a massive ski area to enjoy. We had a great time on and off the slopes (try the square in Cham on NYE for partying and fire crackers) and got a dump of snow mid week - yay! As ever everyone was really friendly and welcoming. We'll be back next year to the newly refurbished Argentiere centre for more skiing and apres!

    Flaine | Ski Off Piste

    I chose a week in April of full time off piste skiing tuition at the UCPA in Flaine, booking through Action Outdoors with a group of eight of us, who drove from the UK.

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    Chamonix | Ski Off Piste

    Voila! What a great adventure. I was taken back by the fantastic deal. I could not believe you got so so much for a amazing price. Quality equipment and expert French instructors. The accommodation was fine with shared accommodation with bar stories of snoring room mates. Secret is to stay out late and drink more. The Apres ski involves the Swedish bar where dancing on tables to a rocky band was the thing. Then the terrace bar for cheap shots and another band. Everybody is really friendly and meeting new people is so easy. The food was good and varied with plenty of it. If you are a veggie remember it is France and if it doesn't move they're not interested.but hey eating is cheating. Don't forget the snow and the off piste. Awesome and we only saw 10% of it in our week. I have recommended this trip to everybody I know and planning my next trip. A must do adventure!

    Val d'Isere | Beginner Snowboarding

    I had just moved to London about four weeks previous from Australia and was still unfamiliar with European travel and experiences. I'm a teacher's aid, so I get the school holidays off. I had a week off in February and really wanted to hit the slopes to work on my snowboard skills. I had looked at other tours and snow packages and they were all coming up near the 1000 pound mark, which was too expensive on such short notice (as this was the week before I was looking). I was lucky enough to see a post on facebook about action outdoors and looked more into it and further conversation on the phone convinced me that I should try it as it was an all inclusive package at a more than reasonable price! So I booked it literally the day before I left and I must say, it has been one of the best things I have ever done!! The people were friendly and my instructor was very helpful, teaching me the basics of snowboarding and encouraging and helping me where needed. The food was good and the rooms tidy and sufficient for a week of boarding. All in all, I left with new friends and great memories. I loved Val D'Isere and definitely hope to return again. :)

    Reviews 1 to 10 of 37
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