 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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ladtalk, can't answer your question, but just wanted to wish you all the best. You sound impressively well-prepared; please report back afterwards. 
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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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ladtalk, assuming it is the same at all UCPA centers (was same at Val T and Serre Che) you will need €100 in CASH or a cheque each for deposit. Can't use passport or credit card. This is in contrast to the €50 which was stated on my booking info with Action Outdoors.
Have a good holiday.
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t doesn’t matter how high your resort is as all snow does is fall down a mountain, so all resorts have the same snow. If not the lower ones are better as it all bundles up at the end
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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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pam w, thank you pam w ! im sure you were the one who mentioned UCPA in the first place! and yeah no doubt will be a highlight reel of us falling down the mountain
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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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kat.ryb, Thank you we emailed the company we used and they weren't sure?!
We booked through Action Outdoors too, so its just the 100 euro's each?
so Action Outdoors stated 50? or was that on top of the 100 euro's?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We were there a few weeks ago and were surprised when they took our Passports as a deposit! Luckily managed to avoid drinking all of the €200 we'd set aside!
Had such a good time, good company = great atmosphere, amazing food and great weather. Honestly couldn't fault anything except people constantly swapping boot warmers so it was always impossible to find my gear!
Not too sure when the first beginner lesson was...we were an Improver and a Confirmé and our first lesson was on Monday Afternoon. On the topic of the UCPA levels I found it rather strange. There are 5 - Beginner, Improver, Mastery, Confirmed and Expert. Like I said I was Confirmé but felt like it was more of a good intermediate group than an advanced group - we stuck to reds, skiing quickly, but avoided blacks which were all super-moguled. My OH was Improver and they stuck to Greens and Blues.
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treviesweets,
Ah good to hear! i know Flaine isn't a mad party resort having been to Malia & Amsterdam i just wanted a good vibe and go snow! So Flaine ticked the boxes..
yeah i know can be moved up or down groups depending on level!
Did you use the Snow express coach when you went?
And its a token sytem for drinks? just hope its not as much as other resorts i looked into 
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ladtalk, yeah certainly not a party resort, two pubs and a nightclub is all we came across. We only drank one pint outside the UCPA, it was only the two of us so didn't do a lot of drinking.
Typical night was a bottle of wine from the shop over dinner and 3 or 4 in the UCPA bar (which is very comfortable with a massive fireplace in the middle), only got involved in the "entertainment" one night - that was enough to make some friends we could hang out with for the rest of the week.
The payment system is a card with a barcode, you can top it up with your card on a machine or with cash over the bar. Pints weren't cheap but not as bad as elsewhere, around €6 I think.
We went from a Saturday to a Wednesday so flew to Geneva, not sure I'd be brave enough for the bus but if the price is right...
Watch out for the village market on a Tuesday in Flaine Forum. Think that's about all the wisdom I can impart! Hope you have a great time, looks like it's gonna snow so should be good!
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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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ladtalk, it was €100, not €150. However from what treviesweets says you will be ok to use your passport at Flaine.
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And its a token sytem for drinks? just hope its not as much as other resorts i looked into
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UCPA drinks are cheap compared to resort bars, don't worry, relax, enjoy your holiday. Your posting style is very manic 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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your allowed your own wine @ dinner ?!
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sure are, take advantage of the cheap and lovely french supermarket wine
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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 went to Flaine UCPA two years ago - there used to be 2 there. The better one is Flaine Les Lindars I think (mid station used to be owned by Club Med?). Anyway it's the one with the nice fireplace in the bar. I was really impressed by the whole package. Think I was the only English person amongst a load of French and Swedish. Luckily I speak French but even if you don't, it's not an issue. The Swedes speak English better than me and the staff are all at least bi-lingual. Lessons in English and French.
I don't remember paying a deposit. They took a copy of my passport. Bar drinks paid for by buying tokens, all very reasonably priced compared to eleswhere. But best bet is buy beer / wine from the supermarket - you can drink it in the dining room with your meal.
No lessons on the Sunday, get your kit early doors to avoid the rush. Lift pass valid from Sunday all week (including the last Sat when you travel back so you get an extra 1/2 day), so Sunday is a free day on the slopes. Not sure how that would work for you as complete beginners ? Maybe think about booking a separate lesson ? I found he UCPA lessons very good but I did the all day ones so pretty full on and would maybe do part time next time. I went in one of the worst snow seasons but found the ski area very good. This year the snow looks excellent.
Food very good and plentiful. Rooms ok (I shared a 4 man dorm), but spacious enough with en-suite. Good welcoming atmosphere in the centre and soon socialising with others from your lessons / room etc. I was 40 something when I went, broad range of ages there but not an issue, all seem to have a shared mentality. Would certainly go again. Enjoy
I also thnk it was Pam W's recommendation that I went there too - must be on a commission but a good solution to fix up a good ski trip.
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must be on a commission
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sadly not.
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You know it makes sense.
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damobloke1, thank you mate, yeah will see what we can get lesson wise when we get their if not snowplow practise i guess?! yeah food seems to be good at flaine cannot wait!
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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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pam w, I jest about the commission but do thank you for pointing me in the way of UCPA.
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