What's included
Lift passes are valid for 6.5 days (unless otherwise specified) and cover most of the ski area you're staying in. If you'd like access to an even bigger area, you can upgrade your lift pass for an extra cost. Read more under each destination to find out what's included on your trip HERE
Ski areas
Argentière & Chamonix
Lift pass: Valid in La Brévent-La Flégère (Chamonix), Balme area (Tour-Vallorcine), Les Grand Montets (Argentière) & l'Aiguille du Midi cable car.
The Chamonix valley has pistes of every difficulty, but they are generally steeper than in other resorts. A small number of green beginner pistes can be found down in the valley, while the other runs – mainly red, but also black and blue – are higher up the mountain. To really enjoy the area, it helps to have some skiing experience already. The high altitude keeps the snow in good condition, and the area is also equipped with snow cannons to build a base on the pistes at the start of the season if the first proper snowfall is late.
Snowpark
Les Grands Montets and La Balme each have a snowpark with jumps and rails for every level, and there are also Ski Cross courses that change from year to year.
Off-piste
Argentière and Chamonix are world-famous for their off-piste skiing, including the 20-kilometre-long glacier run Vallée Blanche. The vertical drop is unusually big, which gives long and sometimes steep runs – perfect if you love a challenge. There is also more accessible off-piste for those who are less experienced, and in La Balme and Les Grands Montets there are huge snowfields where everyone can lay down their own powder track. A lot of the skiing is above the tree line, while long runs finish through the forest on the way back to the valley lift.
Les Contamines
Lift pass: Valid in the Les Contamines ski area.
Les Contamines is well known for great snow conditions throughout the season and has a varied ski area with plenty of space. There is varied skiing for all levels, whether you ski or snowboard. The ski area stretches across both sides of the Mont-Joly mountain pass, which you reach from Les Contamines via 2 gondolas. The area is linked up. You also get sunshine and magnificent views of Mont Blanc and Beaufort. The surrounding areas are Mont-Blanc, l'Aiguille de Bionnassay and les Dômes de Miage.
Les Deux Alpes
Lift pass: Valid in the Les Deux Alpes ski area.
The terrain in Les Deux Alpes means the easiest pistes – green and blue – are right at the top of the mountain, while the runs closer to the village are steeper and less suited to beginners. The efficient gondolas mean that even less experienced skiers can make use of the whole ski area. The high-altitude pistes are wide and smooth, with snow that holds up perfectly thanks to the altitude. Some runs feel like huge boulevards, while others follow the terrain and are therefore narrower and more varied. For strong skiers there are varied runs all over the mountain, and if you want to feel your thighs burn you can ski non-stop from the top station all the way down to the village – a run of around 2,000 metres of vertical drop!
Snowpark
The resort's snowpark is one of the biggest in Europe, and in early season the world's best flock here to train on the glacier. During the winter season the snowpark moves a little further down the area but still offers jumps, rails and half pipes for all levels.
Off-piste
The off-piste skiing in Les Deux Alpes can be fairly close to the pistes – or you can head out on grand adventures beyond the lift system. Either way it is easy to access, and most runs can be reached straight from the lift without taking your skis off. The terrain can be rocky in places, but a good moniteur knows exactly where you can get down safely – and the high altitude means the powder lasts for a long time.
Flaine
Lift pass: Valid in Le Grand Massif.
In Flaine the runs are mainly blue and red, but of course there are green and black pistes too. They are generally wide and rolling, which is excellent if you enjoy carving, and if you're new to skiing there is plenty of room to practise your turns. Don't miss the 14-kilometre blue piste that runs all the way from the top station Grandes Platières down to the little village of Sixt on the other side of the mountain!
The lifts take you quickly up the mountain, and a large share of the runs are above 2,000 metres. That means great snow, and a lot of the skiing in Flaine is above the tree line. The other villages in the ski area sit a little lower, and here many runs are surrounded by forest.
Snowpark
Flaine has a small snowpark that you can easily reach by chairlift, and the other villages in the area also offer so-called “Fun zones” with jumps and Ski Cross courses at several levels of difficulty.
Off-piste
Flaine offers fantastic off-piste thanks to its terrain and great snow conditions. Many off-piste runs are easy to reach on skis from the lift, and the shape of the mountains means there is skiing in several directions. If it's your first time in Flaine, you'll especially remember “Combe de Gers”, a long ridge served by just a drag lift, which then rewards you with incredibly fun powder skiing!
Les Arcs
Lift pass: Valid in the Les Arcs ski area. You can upgrade to the whole of Paradiski; this is done with the lift pass company on site.
For beginners there are loads of blue pistes spread across the whole mountain, and you'll really be able to enjoy the whole area – even without throwing yourself down black mogul runs (although there are some of those too, if you fancy it!). Experienced skiers will appreciate the big vertical drop and the varied runs heading in every direction. In Les Arcs it really feels like the whole mountain is a playground!
Snow coverage in the upper part of the area is generally very good, and to be on the safe side at the start of the season the lower part in particular is equipped with snow cannons covering 60 kilometres of piste – almost a quarter of the whole area.
Snowpark
The area's snowpark has its own chairlift, and here you'll find an airbag, a waterslide and several lines for every level. The park is located between Les Arcs 1600 and 1800 and is easy to reach from the UCPA centre.
Off-piste
The off-piste in Les Arcs is among the best you can find in the Alps. There are wide open spaces, long and adventurous runs beyond the lift system, tree skiing and steep couloirs. The terrain can be quite challenging in places, which many people appreciate – it really shows how much you've progressed during the week – but the moniteurs always make sure to pick runs that suit the group's level and form on the day, and many runs are very accessible.
La Plagne
Lift pass: Valid in the La Plagne ski area. You can upgrade to the whole of Paradiski; this is done with the lift pass company on site.
The groomed runs in La Plagne are wide and rolling, with plenty of room for carving and working on your technique. Many pistes are above the tree line, which can be a drawback when visibility is poor, but you can always ski further down into the forest, where the trees help create contrast. There are runs of every difficulty but with a clear emphasis on blue and, to some extent, red pistes. From the top of Bellecôte, though, there are some properly black challenges! On the south side of the area there are also several long red runs that wind their way down through the forest.
Snowpark
La Plagne has several small freestyle areas with jumps and rails for all levels.
Off-piste
If you ask one of UCPA's instructors about the off-piste in La Plagne, the answer you'll easily get is “it's got everything”. The terrain really does offer everything from easy skiing close to the pistes to properly challenging off-piste, and thanks to the placement of the lifts you can use the mountain in several directions to always find good snow. During a week in La Plagne you can expect varied skiing at every level and all over the mountain. When visibility is poor there is lovely tree skiing further down the area – and don't miss the legendary run down the north face of Bellecôte!
Serre Chevalier
Lift pass: Serre Chevalier ski area including Briançon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Monetier.
There are pistes in every colour, although the black ones are of the gentler kind, and the red and blue slopes offer wonderful carving. If you're looking for a challenge, there are also a few lovely mogul runs. For beginners there are areas both down in the valley villages and up on the mountain, which you can easily reach by gondola – perfect for enjoying the views and developing your skiing in magnificent surroundings! Even though the runs at the bottom of the area are somewhat steeper, there are green pistes that guide less experienced skiers around the difficult sections, and if you like you can always take a chairlift or gondola back down to the centre.
Snowpark
In the middle of the area there is a well-kept snowpark with rails and jumps in three levels of difficulty: blue, red and black. Chantemerle and Briançon also each have a Ski Cross course.
Off-piste
The off-piste skiing is either in forest close to the pistes, or by dropping in outside the lift system, enjoying a long run in the wilderness and then making your way back to the valley lift “the back way”. Much of the powder skiing can be reached on skis straight from the lift, but with just a 20-minute hike you and your group can reach untracked bowls and untouched patches of forest. It's rarely extremely steep, but some of the couloirs will definitely make you a better skier!
Tignes
Lift pass: Valid in the whole of Espace Killy (Tignes & Val d'Isere)
Here you'll find every kind of piste – long, short, wide, narrow, gentle and steep – so both less experienced and more experienced skiers can find exciting challenges and lovely, relaxed runs. The area is big, though, so it helps to have some skiing experience already if you want to have time to experience the whole area. In Tignes the green and blue pistes are rather spread out, while in Val d’Isère they are grouped in clusters. Strong skiers can enjoy long rolling pistes and a big vertical drop – and don't miss the chance to visit the glacier and carve down the fantastic blue piste Rossolin, with views across the whole of the Alps!
Snowpark
In the middle of the area there is a well-kept snowpark with rails and jumps in three levels of difficulty: blue, red and black. Chantemerle and Briançon also each have a Ski Cross course.
Off-piste
Tignes has plenty of easily accessible skiing close to the pistes, but if it's your first time skiing off-piste in the Alps, what you'll remember most are the long, adventurous runs far beyond the lift system. Here you'll find slopes of varying steepness, big open snowfields and the famous couloirs P1, P2 and P3.
Val d'Isère
Lift pass: Valid in the whole of Espace Killy (Tignes & Val d'Isere)
Here you'll find every kind of piste – long, short, wide, narrow, gentle and steep – so both less experienced and more experienced skiers can find exciting challenges and lovely, relaxed runs. The area is big, though, so it helps to have some skiing experience already if you want to have time to experience the whole area. In Val d’Isère the green and blue pistes are grouped in clusters, while in Tignes they are relatively spread out. Strong skiers can enjoy long carving pistes and a big vertical drop – and don't miss the chance to try Val d’Isère's famous black piste “Face de Bellevarde”, where one of the Alpine Ski World Cup races takes place every year.
Snowpark
Val d’Isère has a big snowpark with jumps and rails for every level, and there are also two Ski Cross courses in the area.
Off-piste
Val d'Isère has plenty of easily accessible skiing close to the pistes, but if it's your first time skiing off-piste in the Alps, what you'll remember most are the long, adventurous runs far beyond the lift system. Here you'll find the Grands Vallons run in magnificent wilderness, or the secret Vallée Perdue, “the lost valley”. Down big rolling snowfields and wide couloirs, all you need to think about is enjoying life.
Val Thorens
Lift pass: Valid in Val Thorens & Orelle. For a supplement you can explore the whole of Les Trois Vallées; this is bought directly from the lift pass company on site. For some programmes, one or more days in the whole area are included – see more information under each activity.
With a lift pass for the Val Thorens sector you can reach a total of 140 kilometres of piste suitable for skiers of all levels. Less experienced skiers will appreciate the easily accessible beginner pistes, while experienced skiers and snowboarders can make the most of the area's long runs. The efficient lifts (some even have built-in Wi-Fi) and the proximity to the UCPA centre mean your days are packed with skiing. A large, gentle beginner area with green pistes is right in the middle of the village, while the steeper terrain is higher up the mountain. 99 percent of the runs are above 2,000 metres, and thanks to the cable car to Cime de Caron at 3,200 metres you can challenge your thighs with a long run all the way down along wide, varied pistes.
Snowpark
Here you'll find a big snowpark with jumps, rails and a half pipe for all levels, plus an airbag and a Ski Cross course.
Off-piste
The off-piste skiing in Val Thorens is world class, just like everything else here. There's no real tree skiing to speak of, but the powder stays cold for a long time and the huge snowfields leave room for everyone to lay down their own track. The runs are varied, ranging from easily accessible skiing close to the pistes to real adventures that take you far away from lifts and buildings.
Number of days
The lift pass included on our standard trips gives you a total of 6.5 days, from Sunday morning to Saturday lunchtime. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to add an extra day on the last day. If you've booked a short week, the lift pass is valid for 4 days. If you've booked a flight or your own transport and have an early transfer, you can't be guaranteed to use your lift pass and ski on the day of departure.
Lift passes on short weeks → See each programme
The lift pass covers most of the ski area you're staying in. If you'd like access to an even bigger area, you can upgrade your lift pass for an extra cost. The lift pass is valid for 4 days.
