 Poster: A snowHead
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My 17 year old son would like to go on a ski trip (with instruction) by himself next February. Is this even possible? I contacted UCPA who say he has to be 18 to be unaccompanied. He can get to a resort on his own but what then? If anyone has any experience/suggestions, welcome. PS I am a non skier so be gentle. He is a level 8 Snowlife, basically next step off piste as far as I understand it. Many thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Youth hostels? Lots of Swiss resorts have them, well connected by train/bus etc Engelberg, Laax etc.
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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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Hmm. UCPA would indeed be ideal - once he's 18. It will be very expensive unless he stays in a hostel (not necessarily a formal "Youth Hostel" - just a place with cheap bunk dorms). There are several in chamonix, which would be a good base, with lots of ski school options available to him. Is he expecting you to pay for some of it? If so, I'd be inclined to be non-committal, suggest that he does some research and comes to you with a costed plan. If he can do that competently (including finding someone who will insure him) I'd be inclined to support - though it's not a sensible "first step" for unaccompanied travel. Has he done less ambitious things on his own? By that age I'd organised youth hostelling trips in the UK with friends, worked out itineraries, done the bookings etc. It's absurd how many kids that age have done nothing on their own, these days (yes, I am old!).
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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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Thank you, yes he has organised his own trip to Wales post GCSE with a bunch of friends and a YHA trip to London with friends and unphased by an overseas trip. I'm just helping him along here as previous trips organised with friends - this one likely to be solo as trying to find a friend who's parent's willing to support (bar Kirstie Allsopp  might be a challenge. He has also saved up from summer jobs to part fund the trip. I've looked at the previous poster's tip of YH in Laax and that looks good. Thanks for the Chamonix tip, will look into that.
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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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@annao, welcome to SH's.
Shame about UCPA (and surprising).
Try New Generation. I see their T&C's for Adults Other says age requirement is 16+ years plus. And they do an "Off-Piste Essentials Ski Course" for off piste newbies.
https://www.skinewgen.com/
They operate in various resorts (mostly French).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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New Gen is a good ski school, but that's all it is. It's the rest which is the problem. I suppose UCPA would not want to take some kind of "in loco parentis" responsibility for a young person.
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@annao, How did your son learn to ski if you don't ski yourself?
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@annao, if you google "teenager freeride club" quite a few things come up. Not packages but they may be able to help with options.
I presume he is looking to go Feb Half Term. Be aware that is peak season, and especially in France super busy (and therefore expensive).
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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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@rjs, ski instructors?
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@ster, I guess the driver to the question is wasn't he ever accompanied? Why can't they now...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We used to do family ski holidays (but I have finally admitted defeat - not very talented and he out-skis my husband) and then school ski trips. Last 2 years in Germany with the school CCF trip but he has outgrown that and they go somewhere where the snow not very sure.
Yes, half term. No other choice. Will look into Teenager freeride club - thank you.
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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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@annao, I think it is cool and correct that you are looking for ways for your son to have a good time without you, instead of looking for ways to monitor his every move like some folks. Good on ya.
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You know it makes sense.
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@RedandWhiteFlachau,
You have to be 18 for SKGB trips.
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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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@annao, I wondered if he had been skiing at a dryslope or indoor centre in the UK, they usually have ski clubs associated with them which may take unaccompanied children on ski trips to the alps, would only expect that to happen if the club has known the kid for a while though.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@annao, Maybe the Downhill Only Club, based in Wengen, would be a possibility. They certainly do a lot for juniors and families. not sure whether they allow unaccompanied 17 year olds but you could ask
https://downhillonly.com/membership/
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@annao, UCPA as mentioned above appear to have some specific weeks for 16-17 years olds traveling alone.
https://www.ucpa.com/offres/colos-autonomie-ado
Otherwise as DoTM mentioned, any of the Swiss mountain youth hostels are no problem age wise (unaccompanied teenagers allowed from age 14).
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