Off-piste skiing with UCPA

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Off-piste skiing with UCPA

We offer off-piste programmes at about ten destinations in the French Alps, from beginner level to expert level. Your level determines which programme you can join. If you are unsure which level you are at, you can always contact us with any questions. If you are torn between two levels, we always recommend that you choose the lower one.

Safety first!
Activity outside the ski area, off-piste, comes with risks such as avalanches, crevasses and cliffs. It is important to always be well informed and to plan your skiing according to the weather and snow conditions. It is also vitally important to wear your safety equipment correctly and to be prepared for how to handle an emergency.

With UCPA you have the chance to enjoy this type of skiing together with a qualified instructor. UCPA's instructors go through several years of training and have expert knowledge in reading terrain and weather conditions. Through your instructor you learn how to handle the different situations that can arise when skiing off-piste. They also make sure to find the best runs of the day for you and your group. Thanks to their many years of training, they give you technique tips and tools to become a better skier.

Equipment
All technical equipment is included when you travel with UCPA! On off-piste trips, in addition to skis, ski boots and poles, this also means an avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel and backpack. A helmet is not included in the equipment, but it is of course something we recommend you wear. At some places there are helmets to borrow, at others you can rent a helmet for the week for about €10-15. Please note that this is subject to availability. If you want to be sure you are protected, we suggest you bring your own helmet.

For more information about equipment and which skis are offered, you can read the article in the UCPA magazine. If you are wondering what other equipment may be necessary to bring on trips with UCPA, take a look at our packing list.

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UCPA - Freely translated to English as "National Federation for Sports and Outdoor Centers" - has a history of over 50 years. It is, in short, a non-profit, all-French organization supported by, among others, the French state. The purpose is to give ordinary people the opportunity to learn and develop in one or more sports together, in pleasant and unpretentious forms. The organization has about 80 centers in France and the West Indies, 28 of them are located at well-known winter sports resorts in the French Alps.

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Off-piste skiing - for you who want to ski beyond the pistes! There is an incredible sense of freedom in throwing yourself into untouched snow, away from the ski area and the controlled runs, and with UCPA you get the best conditions for off-piste skiing! Largely because on all off-piste trips you ski together with an instructor. The instructor has the best local knowledge, knows where to find the best runs of the day and makes sure you get down safely.

Safety

Off-piste skiing is serious. The terrain is governed by weather, wind and other factors we cannot control. UCPA is constantly working to improve safety and train guides so that you can ski off-piste safely. We always have qualified instructors or mountain guides, a complete set of safety equipment and suitable skis.

Our different off-piste trips

Off-piste
For you who are after guided skiing beyond the edges of the pistes. The focus here is on the skiing itself and you can choose between three different levels. During the week you get the chance to discover the very best of the area together with our instructors.

Off-piste Randonnée
Ski Off-piste Randonnée is for you who are already an experienced off-piste skier but want the combination of walking uphill and then trying runs you have never come across before. Our experienced instructors show you places far beyond the reach of the ski area, and give you a unique chance to discover fantastic spots.

The focus is still on off-piste skiing, but you get to try randonnée (you walk for about 1 hour per day). Please note: if you would rather go touring and stay in a refuge, take a look at Randonnée.

Ski safari
This is almost a must for you who are a skilled off-piste skier in search of the best runs and the most favourable snow conditions, where both glacier skiing and climbs with skins can be included. You get the chance to explore some of the best ski areas, both in the French Alps and in places such as Italy & Switzerland. A high technical level, previous experience of off-piste skiing and of handling safety equipment are required. On these trips you have access to a minibus as well as an extended lift pass that takes you beyond the usual ski areas to discover the very best skiing in the region.

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When should you go?

Off-piste skiing can be enjoyed in both winter and spring, depending on your skills and preferences.

Spring usually brings fantastic snow conditions with so-called corn snow. This is snow with a firm surface that melts and freezes every day and night. Besides the pleasant snow, spring has longer days, which means more hours on skis(!), and milder temperatures.

Winter, on the other hand, increases the chance of finding powder snow, the ultimate surface for ski lovers. Cold temperatures, no wind and steady snowfall are the best conditions for this type of snow. Skiing in powder gives you the feeling of floating, but it is not always easy to handle. The surface is only recommended for skilled skiers.

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Benefits

Why UCPA?

If you haven't travelled with us before, an extraordinary experience awaits. A week of top-quality skiing, good food and great company. An adventure many people relive year after year – they just change ski resort and centre.

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Ski groups that suit you

Skiing with an instructor is included and is an important part of your trip. Here you get the chance to improve your skills and explore the mountains with like-minded people.

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Meet new friends

A UCPA trip is a social experience where, besides skiing, you can take part in activities around the centres and get the chance to meet new friends from all over the world.

Safety

Skiing outside the marked pistes always involves risk. With UCPA's instructors you learn how to handle the different situations that can arise when skiing off-piste.

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Off-piste skiing with UCPA

Newsletter

Choose the right Off-Piste Skiing level

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

ACTIVITIES

What can you do?

Off-Piste Skiing Level 1

Off-Piste Skiing & Ski Touring Level 1

Off-Piste Skiing Level 2

Off-Piste Skiing Level 3

Off-Piste Skiing Level 3 - Steep Couloirs

Ski Off-Piste Randonnée Grand Montets

Ski Off-Piste Level 3 Deluxe

Telemark Off-Piste

Off-Piste Ski Safari Serre Chevalier

Off-Piste Ski Safari Chamonix Vallée Blanche

Off-Piste Ski Safari Tarentaise

Off-Piste Ski Safari Chamonix

Ski Off-Piste Randonnée level 2

Off-piste Skiing - Hakuba

Off-Piste Ski Safari Freerando – Mont Blanc

Where can you go?

Destination

Argentière

Chamonix

Flaine

Japan - Hakuba

La Plagne

Les Arcs

Les Contamines

Serre Chevalier

Tignes

Val d'Isère

Val Thorens

Our different off-piste trips

The best destinations for off-piste

When should you go?

Off-Piste Skiing

Benefits

Why UCPA?