 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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claireSKI, oh go on, branch out. I'll ski with you if you're stuck (work permitting).
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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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claireSKI,
I have used UCPA for windsurfing and gliding before. Both times as a solo traveller and found it easy to meet people and get into a group (sharing rooms makes it almost inevitable). This will be particularly true if you have instruction..
That said I am french, so don't know how much of an issue not being french is going to be... My feeling is you'll be OK since winter sports are a lot more international and that UCPA hildays are sold "officially" in the UK.
I think UCPA is one of the best way to travel "solo".
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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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Hi, I stayed in UCPA in La Plagne last Jan as worked out really cheap and with GF taking lesssons for the week and i decidedto give boarding a whizz with the free lessons.
Food was GREAT, met loads of people and we had our own room. There were 4 solo girls staying in the same room and had never met and they had a hoot. we had a good laugh. Not the nicest of rooms, but you are not going for that.
As long as you are fairly sociable, yu will be fine and you are with like minded people so no one thinks anything of it.
Remember to take in your own wine for dinner !!
Have fun
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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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claireSKI, welcome to snowHeads 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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claireSKI, welcome to . My daughter and BF stayed at UCPA last year and found it excellent (Flaine). They went there precisely because he'd stayed at those places before, when travelling solo, and found it very sociable. He speaks not one word of French. Go for it, and take Lizzard up on her offer, too.
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I went to La Plagne last feb and stayed with UCPA. The accommodation was very basic, but the food was pretty good and the location also. There were two of us, and we were pretty much the only brits there. still met loads of people though, everyone was very friendly. I'd recommend trying to find out which hotels have more brits (although i'm not sure how you could check!) i'm actually looking at booking soon with a few others (all guys so far though i'm afraid!)
hope this helps, good luck
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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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Have used UCPA loads of times, Val D'isere,Tignes,Les Contamines, and Chamonix. Never went solo but with group. Every time was excellent and if I was still under 40 would go again.
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I've stayed at UCPA several times. I am American and although I do speak French, you'll find plenty of other English speakers, particularly at the centers that offer instruction in English (lots of Swedes, etc.). Each time I've been, I've encountered lots of people also traveling solo - people are very friendly and as mentioned above, as long as you're relatively social, you'll have no problem at all meeting people. Have fun!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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robnic, Some centers are lenient on the 40 years old age restriction, particularly if you are a previous client and if you go during the less-busy weeks. I was at Val d'Isere in early February 2007 and there had to be at least a dozen folks in the 40-50 age group.
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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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UCPA centers are great! Good food and even better like-minded people looking to have fun on and off the hill. have stayed in quite a few around france and don't have a complaint. the one in les2alpes is nice. great terrace views and its basically right in the town center (as most of them are) so you don't have far to walk. these guys set me up with a UCPA package that was super cheap http://action-outdoors.co.uk/resort_lesdeuxalpes.aspx i've been riding for 15 years and have teaching certifications and backcountry avalanche training from the states so I was originally going to bypass the instruction that is included in the package (to save a few bucks) but it turned out to be a great way to get to know the resorts. i can tell you for certain, staying at a ucpa center as a solo traveler is a great way to spend a holiday. you'll meet tons of folks from all over the place, most of whom will speak at least marginal english, who have been very welcoming in my experience with ucpa centers. don't stress it, you'll have a great time!
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Thnks everyone for your responses... lizzard i may take you up on that offer if i do decide to go! Its good to know that UCPA places are good with decent food, and if i dont go this year i will DEFINATELY use them next!! x 
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You know it makes sense.
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hi Claire,
I went to a UCPA center last year, first week of december in Val d'isere. It was my first 'real' week of skiing so it made perfect sense as you get taken out every day with the instructor. As it was the first week (and there hadn't been a big dump before I arrived) there weren't many people signed up -maybe about 10% capacity! This meant excellent value for money - on the last day I was having a lesson with just 1 other person and was going down a red slope in blizzard conditions and black off-piste (remember no skiing experience!).
Socially I didn't love it...but this was because it was their first week of the season and no foreigners there. Everyone was french and although I speak french and have lived in france, I really struggled. If however you are outgoing and make friends quick, then I can't recommend it enough! You definatly won't be alone as even I, who admitedly wasn't the most social/outgoing person there, had enough people around me to enjoy it. January should mean lots of snow, lots of season workers and LOTS of fun!
Just go for it - its great value for money and thats difficult to find sometimes in the alps. Oh, and yes, the food it GREAT!
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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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UCPA is a great deal for anyone and perfect for solos. Not been to the L2A centre but have been to Val D'isere and Flaine and am off to Val D again for new year with Action-Outdoors - can't wait (they've refurbished the showers this year apparantly which will be very welcome!). If you are after a more confortable experience Flaine is the place to go - it's a converted Club Med centre with more twin rooms available that in other centres, but in other centres you'll generally find between 3-6 beds per room, each with a locker and under bed storage, full adult sized bunks, plenty of hot water for showers, good traditional french country cooking, cheaper beer than most places in the resort (once you've worked out the mad orange and purple tickets thing) and great company - french, swedes and brits mostly. The ski tuition is a bonus for singles - the prospect of skiing on your own all week isn't that much fin is it? - putting you with groups of similarly skilled skiers or boarders, with most centres offering english speaking instructors and your ski pass and equipment is included in the price. Just don't forget to take your own towel, a padlock for your locker and be prepared to share the room cleaning with your fellow roomies before you leave. Hope you have a great holiday.
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FAQ
Has anyone ever been on a UCPA hol before? Im worried of being on my own or being the only english girly. Should i risk it to get some skiing in this season????? I've never done a solo trip befor... i've never even eaten in a restaurant on my own!
