 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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I’ve only been to the UCPA in Val d’Isere and we popped into the one in Tignes. That ski area, Espace Killy, is amazing. But as a beginner I think you’ll enjoy any ski area you go. On the Action Outdoors page you can search for twin rooms only, so you’d at least only have one room mate. Though as a single, it’s at least nice to meet some room mates. But you’ll also meet people in your lessons. Hope it goes well!
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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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UCPA is great for a groups, but solo rooms at 30+ and the social stuff tends to be a little erm... French! The UCPAs in Les Arcs, Tignes and La Plagne are all good but I'd look for a different model. There are some great companies out there that specialise in Women Only ski trips have a look here: https://welove2ski.com/the-best-skiing-for-women-next-winter/. Our home resort of Flachau does a ladies week from 21-28 Mar 21, https://www.flachau.com/en/fun-planner/winter-specials/ladies-week.html but If that's not your thing and the social side is more important then how about the Snowheads Bash?
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sun 1-03-20 10:10; edited 2 times in total
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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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The centre in Plagne centre is very convenient and daughter and family were impressed with the food and general facilities at Christmas.
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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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You might prefer a quad room instead of a twin room - more chance of having someone else in the room you get on well with!
I've only been to a couple of UCPA centres, but if you only speak english you might want to focus on centres with a bigger English/Scandinavian mix of people. When i stayed in La Plagne, although the centre was great there were very few English speakers, so a solo might have felt quite isolated for the week.
Flaine definitely had more English being spoken through the week.
I'd guess somewhere like Chamonix or Espace Killy mentioned above would have a lot of English guests...but not necessarily suited to a beginner. Of course, if you can get by in French then ignore what I've said.
As a final point, whilst I think UCPA centres are great, I don't know if they're the best option for an almost complete beginner. The group sizes tend to be large, which might slow your progress. I have also been told that some instructors' English isn't great, although that hasn't been my experience.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
| UCPA is great for a groups, but solo rooms at 30+, I'd advise you to spend a little extra. There are some great companies out there that specialise in Women Only ski trips have a look here: https://welove2ski.com/the-best-skiing-for-women-next-winter/. If that's not your thing and the social side is more important then how about the Snowheads Bash? |
I really don't mind spending extra as much prefer to have comfortable accommodation of my own. And I'm also not a huge party person. The reason I'm looking at UCPA is because it was recommended to me as a nice place to learn as a beginner and meet similar people.
I've done a couple of solo female only type holidays which are lovely but it would be nice to have a mix holiday for skiing. My only concern is sharing a room with strangers!! haha!
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| Themasterpiece wrote: |
| I’ve only been to the UCPA in Val d’Isere and we popped into the one in Tignes. That ski area, Espace Killy, is amazing. But as a beginner I think you’ll enjoy any ski area you go. On the Action Outdoors page you can search for twin rooms only, so you’d at least only have one room mate. Though as a single, it’s at least nice to meet some room mates. But you’ll also meet people in your lessons. Hope it goes well! |
Thank you! I was looking at Val d’Isere and Tignes as both seemed suited to my needs. All the twin rooms are gone so it may need to be a 4 people room....eek! haha! 
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| milzibkit wrote: |
You might prefer a quad room instead of a twin room - more chance of having someone else in the room you get on well with!
I've only been to a couple of UCPA centres, but if you only speak english you might want to focus on centres with a bigger English/Scandinavian mix of people. When i stayed in La Plagne, although the centre was great there were very few English speakers, so a solo might have felt quite isolated for the week.
Flaine definitely had more English being spoken through the week.
I'd guess somewhere like Chamonix or Espace Killy mentioned above would have a lot of English guests...but not necessarily suited to a beginner. Of course, if you can get by in French then ignore what I've said.
As a final point, whilst I think UCPA centres are great, I don't know if they're the best option for an almost complete beginner. The group sizes tend to be large, which might slow your progress. I have also been told that some instructors' English isn't great, although that hasn't been my experience. |
Thank you for your feedback! My French is basic GCSE level so I definitely need English speaking people around and also instructors! Haha! I've taken a few lessons where I live but I think I'm a slow learner when it comes to Skiing so would need to practice a lot! 
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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’ve been to the UCPA at Val Thorens - as a female solo traveller of a similar age, (although not a beginner) I can really recommend it. Both times I’ve been in a room so far I’ve been put with English speakers, who have been friendly- sharing a room was fine - you’re literally in there more or less to sleep/shower only so I wouldn’t worry about that side of it.
Group wise I’ve also always been in a group with English speakers - one year my group was exclusively English speakers, the other year mixed but instructor was good at doing instructions in both french and English
On the first night there was a welcome event in both English and French so further opportunity to get to know others! The centre was lovely with lots of activities including stretching classes in the evening and social events etc, and the facilities were excellent - rooms were small but absolutely fine with a huge bar area and massive boot room.
I would really recommend UCPA - am off to Val d’Isere this year, which I understand from others is a bit more basic in terms than the Val Thorens centre but am really looking forward to it!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Have a look at a room in a last minute chalet holliday, last year a friend found a real bargain in a double room to themselves an this year went on holiday with four of the people they met!
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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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Hi,
I have stayed with UCPA a few times at a number of different areas. The most recent was Flaine and I really enjoyed it. However, remember you are a beginner so you really won't get the most out of big areas like the Espace Killy. Look at the price and logistics and just go for what works best for you. Once you have picked the best for value and travel you can always ask here about that particular UCPA. Some UCPA's are better than others but it really depends on what you want, if its luxury then UCPA is not for you!
I have been to Val Thorens three times so clearly like it. However, it is slightly below the main town and if you want to go out the town its a bit of a pain. Chamonix is great and pretty central but it's a little older, although they have improved it a lot. Les Arcs 1600 gives access to a huge area and the town of Bourg but it's a quiet corner of the ski area with just a couple of bars. I would recommend Chamonix over Argentiere if you are a beginner but it's a decent UCPA, the advantage of Chamonix is you can go out in the town. Flaine gives the best of both worlds, it's huge and in the town with a great ski area and virtually ski in and ski out.
As for the package if you are a beginner it is an absolute bargain!!!!!! I have never had a bad instructor at UCPA.
Enjoy!!!!!
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@Bigrobski, hello! Thank you for the feedback! I did initially want to book Chamonix but heard the ski instructors did not speak good English so wasn’t sure it would help me as a total beginner. Did you try the ski lessons there? I was also thinking of Val Thorens but read that it’s an old centre so not great condition? My main goal is to learn to ski! Second, would be nice to have a good atmosphere with nice bars to meet people but I’m not a party animal and now in my 30s so not fussed about lots of partying! Just some social aspect so it doesn’t feel tooooo quiet!
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You know it makes sense.
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I cannot tell you that your ski instructor will speak great English. They will speak English but thier competency will vary, but it would be the same if you were with arguably the premier French ski school ESF. My least instructor spoke good English, Swedish and a bit of Hebrew! To be fair it's France so we are the visitors and they do thier best. I don't think it matters which UCPA you go to as the language competency of your instructor cannot be guaranteed.
In my experience they do try to split people up into English or French language groups. I was once in a French group but I usually understood what we were doing and my instructor made sure to explain in English too.
UCPA cannot be beaten on price for giving you almost everything as a newbie. Plus, as a new skier/ boarder you don't need advanced instruction. Believe me you just need to get on the slope and keep going up and down until you get it! Beginning is hard and you will be tired but it's worth it. Week one on ski's will be repetition, repetition and small improvements.
Best of luck. Personally, I'd go to Chamonix. Geneva is close and while it involves buses the town gives you more. Alternatively, Flaine is big so there are lots of groups meaning a good chance of an all English language group...it's also ski in and ski out so no bus!!!
Enjoy!
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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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Oh, if you go UCPA. You need a towel and a padlock. Your room will have a locker for your stuff and they don't provide towels!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Been to UCPA Val Thorens this February and it's overcame all my expectations. I'm 34 by the way, solo female traveller. I did some research beforehand and there were the best reviews about UCPA VT (among those that were still free for that week - i remember reading about chamonix, tignes, val d'isere).
People in my group were all around 30, with two exceptions (one about 21 and one about 45)
Rooms are great, food is amazing, staff is amazing, location is beautiful - i had a blast and will definitely return.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Been to 5 UCPA and going to serre chevalier UCPA in 2 weeks, had a great time in all of them, definately recommended.
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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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It's not quite the answer to the question you've asked but if you'd prefer your own room have you considered a space in a chalet?
Ice and Fire have got a March sale on for 22nd - 29th or 29th - 5th down to £299 per person fully catered with no single supplement for solo skiers.
Those weeks typically get lots of other solo skiers so you're highly likely to have a friendly sociable bunch to eat with in the evenings. Lessons and ski pass aren't included like with UCPA but they are easily arranged.
Any help?
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FAQ
I really want to learn and improve the basic skills!
