 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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andybabes, my daughter and her boyfriend (now husband) went to Flaine at half term a couple of years ago (both teachers). The Action Outdoors coach travel arrangements were rubbish - starting from one driver absconding at the tunnel terminal, followed my multiple breakdowns in both directions. Another time they said they'd book direct with UCPA and organise their own travel.
But that was probably just bad luck. Son in law had been with them before, and had no problems.
They found the arrangements in Flaine to be very good, and brilliant value - they had their own room for not much extra.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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pam w, i do hope there bad experience was a one off, i am quite hoping for good reports as finding it hard to get a package. I am a single traveller [ billy no mates ] all the TO are loading heavy surcharges on single travellers. This would be an ideal chance to meet people and get some intense board tuition.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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andybabes, Have a look at Mark Warner, I have booked a trip as a solo traveller for beginning of Feb with no room supplements in a small double room. They still have availability for various resorts on different dates
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| andybabes wrote: |
| pam w, i do hope there bad experience was a one off, i am quite hoping for good reports as finding it hard to get a package. I am a single traveller [ billy no mates ] all the TO are loading heavy surcharges on single travellers. This would be an ideal chance to meet people and get some intense board tuition. |
There are several snowHead bashes (events) planned which may be worth looking at as Admin tries to minimise single occupancy charges or you could share. Details here....
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewforum.php?f=31
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| andybabes wrote: |
| pam w, i do hope there bad experience was a one off, i am quite hoping for good reports as finding it hard to get a package. I am a single traveller [ billy no mates ] all the TO are loading heavy surcharges on single travellers. |
Are they?
Has that changed a lot this year? Because I have always found a reasonable number of properties with low or no single suplpements.
But I haven't really started looking seriously for this year, as it is looking likely I may not be able to afford a trip 
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Kel, i will take a look thanks
But what a div i am i have only just noticed that Action Outdoors is aimed at 18 to 39 year olds which makes me too old 
Will look at Mark Warner but really liked the idea of a the 25 hours board training
Boredsurfing, I will take a look thanks i am 99% commited to going on the eosb as never met any fellow snowheads before.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I can completely recommend action outdoors. i used them last year and the year before and will definitely be going back for more. I just booked up again this year and the whole lot cost me a little over £500. I dont think anything else comes close and the skiing and tuition when i took it was excellent. Just booked online a couple of hours ago and used the discount code that I was given which i know works this year - gives another £10 off. DLC2015. I have been told that its unlimited use for unlimited people so can be used again by anyone so help yourself. 
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I've used Action Outdoors a couple of times to stay with the UCPA and had 2 good experiences (although both times we arranged our own travel).
I went to Serre Chevalier and Val D'Isere and would recommend the UCPA as a great way to ski on a budget.
In SC there were only a handfull of English people but we were grouped with them and our guide spoke English. In VD it was packed full of English but we were in a group with only French and the guide didn't really speak any English.
My only criticism would be that the instruction seems quite hit and miss in my experience. I did the off piste course in SC and it was much closer to having a helpful guide.
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But what a div i am i have only just noticed that Action Outdoors is aimed at 18 to 39 year olds which makes me too old
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Don't worry about it - I went with a chap in his 40's both times and whilst the average age certainly is younger there was a real mix of ages including people in their 60's both times.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@andybabes, We have been on off-piste courses with them a couple of times - good experience. (though made our own travel arrangements) Depending on how old you are they may be still OK. I am in my fifties, and they were fine with that in Flaine - but would not take us in Val d'Isere! It is worth contacting Action Outdoors.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I have nothing but praise for Action Outdoors, our trip to Val D'Isere in Jan 2014 was brilliant. As an agent they respond promptly to all queries and the deposit/instalment system is handy.
They're obviously geared towards selling the UCPA model, in my mind the value of the package is incredible, but it's probably not for everyone and the standard (and price) varies between resort.
Our experience was excellent, but as they effectively re-sell the UCPA formula for the UK market, you might be better off researching what a UCPA skiing holiday looks like and whether it's something that suits you.
In terms of transport we make our own arrangements so I can't comment on that. Travelling by coach is not for me 
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@andybabes, AFAIK Action outdoors upper age limit is more of a suggestion. I think because they do a lot (only?) UCPA stuff and it is dorms rooms they do not want 'older' people turning up and complaining it is too loud/party-y/alcoholic etc. If you contact them and explain you are happy with such arrangements I am sure age will not be too much of a problem (unless you are 82 and/or want a quite hol)
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You know it makes sense.
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Also, the second time we went we thought we would book directly with UCPA but infact it was cheaper through AO.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I know Mark Warner will allow an "I'm prepared to share" late booking and you may or may not have to share with someone you don't know. I suspect it's worth trying that with other operators. It was something that was only available by phoning the office.
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Poster: A snowHead
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First time I went with action outdoors at the age of 46 we simply lied on the booking form, sure they must laugh as my DOB changes every year!, I think I struck unlucky this year at VD as there were hardly any English there, lots of Swedish that speak good English but it's not the same banter you have with mother tongue English speakers.
I used the train to get there this year, overnight direct from St Pancras to Bourg st Maurice then 17 euros for the return bus to VD, I assume if you go to UCPA Les Arcs which is at the top of the funicular, you just need to walk from one train to another?, better than the coach but not much, but did give me 2 extra days skiing.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I did both Mark Warner and UCPA as a single last season. Both had their good and bad points. By booking early I got a great deal with Mark Warner and even lucked into getting a full size double with no supplement! The piste side location in Mottaret was outstanding and the food excellent. Socially it didn't work out that well as most of the hotel was booked out by a mature aged sailing club. Very nice people but not who I usually hang out with on holidays. Luckily I had some group lessons already booked and loved the 3 Valleys so still had a great week.
My week with UCPA was very different. It was in a Chamonix so couldn't match the piste side location of Mark Warner. Food wasn't bad but not as good as Mark Warner. Lots of cheese though! The lessons again were quite different to the British ski school I used in Meribel. There was a lot of French spoken but I did get translations. The French students in the class were all about going as fast as possible over technique and the instructor didn't really pull them up over what I thought was them skiing too fast for their ability. Also, the instructor seemed unfazed by students having smoke breaks mid lesson. Maybe it's a French thing!
I still had a great week with UCPA and there were plenty of customers closer to 39 than 18. One Swedish guy must have been close to 50! Due to being on a budget I'm heading back to do another UCPA week, this time in ValD'Isere
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Hi Andy, what kind of snowboard tuition are you looking for? Off piste?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@stevomcd, @lyreco, resurrected a 5 year old thread so OP is probably not looking for this season....
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ha, hadn't clocked that! Thanks!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'm an ambassador for them.
They are great and such nice people who will help you out with any queries too.
Best discount code is EP2015 as it is still working.
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@bezthespaniard, not the best, just one of many for 2015 that will work.
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They have deleted loads because so many people were trying to use them. Only a few got updated
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FAQ
