The French Alps offer fantastic mountains for snowboarding, especially away from the marked runs. There is an incredible sense of freedom in dropping into untouched snow, beyond the ski areas and controlled descents, and with UCPA you get the best conditions for riding off-piste! That is largely because you ride with an instructor on all off-piste trips. 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 riding is serious. The terrain is shaped by weather, wind and other factors we cannot control. UCPA is constantly working to improve safety and train instructors so that you can ride off-piste safely. We always have qualified instructors or mountain guides, complete safety equipment and suitable snowboards.
Off-piste snowboarding with UCPA
We offer off-piste programmes at around ten destinations in the French Alps, from beginner to expert level. Your level determines which programme you can join.
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 riding 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 snowboarding together with a certified instructor. UCPA's instructors undergo several years of training and have the expert knowledge to read terrain and weather conditions. Your instructor will teach you how to handle the different situations that can arise when riding off-piste. They will also make sure to find the best runs of the day for you and your group. Thanks to their many years of training, they will give you technique tips and tools to become a better snowboarder.
Equipment
All technical equipment is included when you travel with UCPA! On off-piste trips, this means not only a snowboard and boots but also 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, and at others you can rent a helmet during the week for approx. €10-15. Please note: this is subject to availability. If you want to be sure of protecting yourself, we suggest you bring your own helmet.
For more information about equipment and what is offered, you can read the article in the UCPA magazine. If you are wondering what other equipment you might need to bring on trips with UCPA, have 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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