A week in the backcountry, making fresh tracks, skiing steep couloirs and improving your off piste technique
Spend a week discovering some of the best backcountry that the area has to offer. This course is suitable for advanced to expert skiers who already have some experience skiing off piste (generally for those who have taken the intro to off piste week-long course and/or have completed full off piste itineraries) and feel ready to hit the backcountry in search for hidden gems and epic descents.
From the trip description by UCPA
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability.
- Coached: Included
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- Coaching campInstruction & guiding: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours); ratio Approximately 1:8; avalanche safety training and off piste technique
- Resort and backcountry guidingUCPA instructors and guides lead the off piste descents; transceiver, shovel and probe included
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- Riding
- You should have done at least an introduction course and/or have some off piste experience, including basic use of avalanche rescue equipment. You should be able to read the terrain, identify hazards and be confident in all types of snow conditions. You are less confident in some steep or exposed areas.
- Equipment
- Skis, boots, poles and avalanche equipment
- Age
- 18 - 40: Introduction to Off Piste Skiing; 18 - 55: Ski Free Rando Expert, Ski Off Piste - Advanced
- Languages
- The instructors all speak French and English and the instruction will be in both languages (although the level of English is variable).
- Ski Free Rando Expert: levels Expert, Off Piste 4, ages 18 - 55
- Introduction to Off Piste Skiing: levels Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, ages 18 - 40
- Ski Off Piste - Advanced: levels Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3, ages 18 - 55
- You should have done at least an introduction course and/or have some off piste experience, including basic use of avalanche rescue equipment. You should be able to read the terrain, identify hazards and be confident in all types of snow conditions. You are less confident in some steep or exposed areas.
- With most of the skiing above 2000m in La Plagne and mainly north facing slopes, the conditions tend to be good throughout the season and it is regarded as a snow sure resort.
- For the expert skiers, there are two glaciers in this ski area which you can ski on above 3000m and if you’re not quite ready for this yet, you can just go up to look at the panoramic views.
- The lift system is very modern with continual investment in new lifts keeping queues to a minimum.
- This ski area has 225km of slopes to choose from, the majority are easy or intermediate, however there is some great freeride terrain and difficult slopes for experts.
- Sport
- Ski
- Minimum age
- 18 years
- Adults only
- Yes
From the trip description by UCPA
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Lift pass
- Meals
- Lesson
- Avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel, probe)Batteries for the transceiver are not included
- BeddingYou make your own bed on arrival and strip it when you leave
- Equipment hireSkis, boots, poles and avalanche equipment
- Accommodation
- Lift pass
- All meals
- Instruction & guiding
- Off piste equipment – beacon, shovel, probe
- Off piste skis, boots & poles
- Bedding
Not included
- Transfers
- Soft & alcoholic drinks
- Tourist taxObligatory tourist tax charged by the local town, £5 on the date checked
- Towels
- Transport to resort
- Insurance
- Soft & alcoholic drinks
- Personal clothing
- Towels
- Optional extra: Airport transfer (Geneva Shared Return Transfer (£101); London Coach (£229))
- Optional extra: Accommodation in twin room (2 Person Twin Room (SOLD OUT @ £214))
- Obligatory tourist tax charged by the local town (£5 on the flagship course date checked)
Day by day
- Arrival: ArrivalCheck in and registration at 18:00, evening meal.
- Day 1: Equipment and lift pass issue in the morning and breakfast. Free skiing all day. In the evening there will be a 'welcome meeting' to explain the layout and any events throughout the week.
- Day 2: Depending on where the best snow conditions are, you will head to an area that offers a chance for the group to have some fun, get used to your new skis and practicing avalanche rescue skills.
- Day 3: Morning and Afternoon sessions learning about body positioning, adapting to the various terrains and gaining confidence on steeper ground.
- Day 4: Typically free skiing all day for all courses at all resorts, so either skiing with your group or with others, you have the choice. However, there may be a guided session in the morning.
- Day 5: Morning and Afternoon sessions exploring the local descents.
- Day 6: Morning and Afternoon sessions exploring the local descents.
- Departure: DepartureThe last day, you have the morning free skiing, check out in the morning and hand equipment back by lunch time (actual time will be communicated once at the centre). Final meal is lunch before leaving resort.
From the trip description by UCPA
Where you stay
Center distance to ski area: 0m
Center distance to town: 0m
Room Capacity: 4 person, twins available
Center Capacity: 240
Catered: Full board
The centre
UCPA La Plagne, Le France, is ideally located right above a piste and in the middle of La Plagne town centre, with easy access to the bars, shops and cafes yet metres from the main lift. The centre is one of the most comfortable we have of on offer, with the food, bar area and rooms all being finished to a very high standard. All the usual UCPA services are to be found onsite with an excellent bar, a panoramic dining room and plenty of social areas.
Multishare rooms
The shared rooms at La Plagne are very comfortable and for four people. All of the rooms are ensuite.
If you are grouped together on our system, then UCPA will do what they can to room you together (sometimes this isn't possible due to numbers). If your group doesn't fit into one room, then you can email the UCPA centre directly around 2 weeks before travel with your rooming request. Solo travellers are usually roomed with people of similar age, gender and course.
Twin rooms
There are some twin rooms at UCPA La Plagne. They are available to book for a supplement per person when making the booking. Please note single occupancy in twin rooms is not possible as courses are curated on a per bed basis.
Getting There
By Air:
Whilst Chambery is technically the closest airport to La Plagne, most customers fly to Geneva due to the greater availability of flights and transfers. For most trips we can provide Geneva airport transfers, just select the option at checkout (prices shown are for a return journey).
Airport Transfers:
We provide shared transfers on Saturdays from Geneva to La Plagne with our local partner Ben's Bus. The journey is 200 km and takes around 3h30 but this can vary depending on weather and traffic conditions.
From the 12th of December to 18th of April
Transfers are scheduled according to flight times. You can choose your bus time as soon as you enter your flight details. You will be offered the most appropriate bus according to your flight times (note that, as the buses get booked up, the timings may become less convenient). Like all shared transfers, sometimes there may be a wait of a few hours in the airport for other flights to arrive or to combine passenger journeys for varying flight departure times. The maximum wait time between landing and bus departing is usually two hours, often much less.
From the trip description by UCPA
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
| Dates | Season | Duration | From | Availability | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2 – Jan 9, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,267 GBP£1267 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Jan 9 – Jan 16, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,240 GBP£1240 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Jan 9 – Jan 16, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,340 GBP£1340 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Jan 16 – Jan 23, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,395 GBP£1395 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Jan 23 – Jan 30, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: 8 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,449 GBP£1449 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Jan 23 – Jan 30, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,431 GBP£1431 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Mar 6 – Mar 13, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,449 GBP£1449 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Mar 13 – Mar 20, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: 8 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,422 GBP£1422 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Mar 13 – Mar 20, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,404 GBP£1404 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Mar 20 – Mar 27, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: 8 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,331 GBP£1331 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
| Mar 20 – Mar 27, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 8-9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: La Plagne (upgrade possible to Paradiski Pass) · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,313 GBP£1313 per person in a multi-share room, all inclusive as listed (accommodation, all meals, lift pass, equipment hire and any instruction or guiding for this course); tourist tax and transport to resort extra | Limited | Book on company website |
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 19, 2026.
Before you book
- Deposit
- You can book with a £/€100 deposit if your start date is more than 8 weeks away.
- Balance due
- The balance is due either 35 days or 20 days before your trip depending on if you pay in instalments or not.
- Payment plan
- If you paid with a deposit, you have the option to pay an instalment (50% of the balance) up until 35 days before your trip. The second and final instalment is due 20 days before travel. There is no extra cost for using our instalment option.
- Insurance
- Travel insurance is a condition of booking a holiday with Action Outdoors.
Cancellation terms have not been published here. Check with the operator before booking.
Read the operator’s terms ↗Good To Know
Age restriction 18 - 40: Introduction to Off Piste Skiing
Age restriction 18 - 55: Ski Free Rando Expert, Ski Off Piste - Advanced
UCPA age policy: You should be < 41 at the start date of the holiday for 18-40 trips; 18-55 trips: you should be <56 at the start date; 41-44 year olds who have travelled with UCPA before (or travel with someone who has) can book 18-40 trips; 45-55 may request an age exemption; over 55 no exemptions. Please bring your passport or ID card to reception; centres check ages against courses.
Rooms are shared: the multi share option is a bed in a room with other people (usually 4-6 people per room); solo travellers are roomed in a single sex room. Private twin rooms are available in most centres for 2 people travelling together for a supplement; availability is limited and single occupancy in twin rooms is not possible.
You will be required to make your beds on arrival and strip your beds when you leave, and to give your room a clean before you go. Bedding is provided but not towels.
Travel insurance is a condition of booking a holiday with Action Outdoors.
You can book with a £/€100 deposit if your start date is more than 8 weeks away; the balance is due either 35 days or 20 days before your trip depending on if you pay in instalments or not.
Your booking is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email; it may take up to 24 hours to confirm your booking with UCPA, so don't book travel until you have received confirmation.
Batteries for the transceiver are not included; bring brand new ones (4xAA and 4xAAA suggested) or buy them from reception.
Programme information and activity facts are an indication only, providing an outline of how a course may be delivered and are provided for information purposes only.
From the trip description by UCPA
Reviews
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