UCPA centres offer a weekly ski/snowboard programme which normally runs from a Sunday morning to the following Saturday at 1pm.
As all the customers have departed on a Saturday afternoon after lunch, the centres can accommodate for an early arrival on a Saturday. Rooms will be available from 6.00pm and an evening meal provided on the day of arrival and check in must be between 6-7:30pm. This is what we have arranged for you for the early check-in on Saturday evening.
From Sunday morning it’s business as usual and the equipment rental/lift pass/ teachers will all be on site. You will be booked in until the Saturday you leave the resort. Keep in mind that on the morning of departure you have the option to ski before you leave the resort. You do need to be out of your room and have returned your equipment before lunch. Lunch is included on the day of departure. You are expected to have vacated the centre by 1pm on your departure day.
This is not economical, and flights are more expensive this way. In booking your own flight it gives you flexibility in your departure airport, timings, budget and options.
If you would like to experience a charming French village, maybe even a touch of culture, then Serre Chevalier is a highly recommended choice. Villenvue, where the UCPA centre is located, is the main lift hub and also the liveliest with the best atmosphere in the evenings by far. Briancon is a nearby historical town which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site - definitely worth a visit if you fancy some time away from skiing.
Serre Chevalier is well known for being particularly friendly and welcoming, with thousands returning year after year. It has a very French feel with a much smaller international influence than other resorts.
The UCPA is a large French not for profit organisation providing very affordable, all inclusive, adventure sports holidays. The all-inclusive packages include accommodation, meals, lift pass, equipment hire and instruction.
The UCPA centre is a large traditional wood and stone chalet. UCPA Serre Chevalier is located a short walk from the lively town centre and offers ski in and ski out.
You can take your own alcohol to your room and to the dining room for dinner, but you can’t take it to the bar and surrounding recreation areas. You can only have drinks purchased in the bar at the bar.
The bar works on a top up card system which you can top up via cash or with your bank card. You then use your top up card to purchase any alcohol. The bar is under a sports licence and does not sell spirits. It does have a good selection of wines and beers and soft drinks. Make sure you don’t top it up too much, so you do not have money left on it at the end of your stay. If so, it will just be issued to you as a credit for your next stay.
You can take your own equipment but it’s worth considering if it’s worth it as equipment technology changes rapidly and there are high airline carriage costs.
When you check in you will be issued with a ticket or card for the equipment hire. The equipment hire is all onsite to keep things simple – there’s no trudging around the resort to find your hire shop to collect and return your equipment.
Your equipment will depend on your level, the ski school course you are registered on and your height. Half of all equipment is replaced every year; therefore, the kit is relatively new and well maintained. Skis and boards are regularly serviced in-house. The rental shop is open daily during set hours for anyone who needs to change boots or board/skis for any reason. If you are taking part in a specialist course, you will be provided with all equipment required for the activity e.g., ski touring equipment or avalanche safety kit. Helmets and ski clothing are not provided. There are communal ski lockers within the centre which are locked during the night to store your equipment. You can also add a padlock to secure your equipment further.
It is a compulsory part of the YFC Ski trip that you must wear a helmet whilst skiing or snowboarding and that you agree to this before booking with us whether you purchase these in advance or rent once in resort.
Failure to do this will result in you being removed from the trip and your ski pass revoked for the week.
Some of the best snow memories are from when you first learn and the UCPA is set up for you to get off to a flying start. Serre Chevalier has a number of quality nursery slopes to start you off on your journey.
Lessons are a great way to get to know new people, get to know the resort & if you want to get better then they will definitely help. The instructors are a lot of fun and they know what they’re doing.
No, nothing is compulsory, but they do come recommended.
When you book you select your skiing ability. We then send this off in advance to UCPA and they arrange a meeting on arrival day for all customers to run through the lessons in resort, what time they start and where you need to be etc. If you feel you are in the incorrect group then speak to your instructor and they will assess if you need to be moved or not.
No, not once you have chosen at the start of the week.
Six-and-a-half-day lift pass covering the Serre Chevalier ski area. The ski pass is operable from Sunday morning to lunch time the following Saturday.
The food is served buffet style each day.
Breakfast is yogurts, cereals, fruit juice, coffee and bread - don't be surprised to see that the coffee, tea or hot chocolate is taken French style - a soup bowl.
Typically, lunch is a DIY picnic made up at breakfast time (great choice of breads, meats, cheeses, pasta, salad, fruit, sweets etc). The picnic lunch means maximum time on the mountains without spending a fortune on expensive mountainside restaurants. It can also be possible to return to the centre for a hot meal.
Dinner is a four-course buffet - typically a salad bar style starter, choice of three or four main courses, cheese selection, fruit, dessert and ice-cream. Any special dietary requirements should be made known to reception staff at check-in. If you have a serious dietary condition, then please let us know in advance.
There is a well-stocked bar and social area
There's plenty to join in with, from activities/nights hosted in the centre to organised nights out with all your YFC friends in the village.
Having suitable winter sports travel insurance forms part of the T&C’s with Outgoing. They will offer you links to purchase insurance from their partner insurance company Endsleigh when you book. We can't stress how important it is to have good winter sports travel insurance and we will check in advance of the trip that you have the insurance in place.
No, you book as an individual and create your own booking with Outgoing, of course a group of you can book to go on the trip but you pay as individuals.
Once the bookings for the trip have closed, the tour operator will send a link to each booking to its drag and drop rooming platform where you can allocate yourselves into rooming lists with your friends.
Most of the accommodation is in rooms of four to six people, although UCPA only provides us with the final distribution list a few weeks before departure.
If you are in a group of 4 or 6 and would like to ensure you have a room of that size, just drop a note to customerservice@outgoing.co.uk with a list of the names you are sharing with and Outgoing will do their very best to accommodate that request.
Once the bookings for the trip have closed, the tour operator will send each booking a link to its drag and drop rooming platform where you can simply allocate yourselves into rooms with your friends.
Yes, it’s an ideal way to meet new YFC friends and have a proper winter adventure. You won’t be alone.
The number to ring is 0161 768 6331 or email info@outgoing.co.uk . The department is staffed during normal office hours.
