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 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: Intro to Snowboard Off Piste, Introduction to Off Piste Skiing; 18 - 55: 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).
- 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
- Intro to Snowboard Off Piste: levels Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, ages 18 - 40
- 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.
- The piste network of the Grand Massif is impressive and extensive with a wide variety of terrain to suit all abilities.
- With a total of 267km of slopes serviced by 62 lifts, there is plenty to explore.
- Even on its own, the Flaine ski area is impressive with 146km of piste and a good spread across the grades.
- Flaine has a great reputation for snow cover, much of the skiing is over 2000m, the slopes generally have a north-west aspect and Flaine has a higher than average snowfall all of which help keep the pistes in great condition.
- Sport
- Ski + Snowboard
- 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 (£73); Geneva Private Transfer (£545))
- Optional extra: Accommodation in twin room (2 Person Twin Room (£68))
- 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: 100m
Center distance to town: 0m
Room Capacity: 4 person, twins available
Center Capacity: 370
Catered: Full board
The centre
UCPA Flaine is one of the most comfortable centres we offer. The centre was formerly a hotel and the conversion to a UCPA centre has held on to a lot of the comfort features of this. The centre is very well located in the heart of the town centre and is ski in ski out. All the usual UCPA services are on offer including a restaurant, bar, ski room and sun terrace. The bar is particularly nice with a large central fireplace with seating all round.
Multishare rooms
The shared rooms at Flaine are very comfortable. All of the rooms are ensuite.
Groups who book together are typically roomed together in a combination that works. Solo travellers are usually roomed with people of similar age, gender and course. It is not possible to make specific rooming requests, but the centre will do their best to accommodate everyone.
Twin rooms
There are more twin rooms at UCPA Flaine than you may find at other centres. 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:
Geneva airport is the nearest airport and the only airport with regular transfers to Flaine. You would need to arrange onward transport from Geneva Airport to Flaine.
Airport Transfers:
We provide Geneva airport transfers through our local transfer partner, Ben's Bus. Transfers run on Saturdays.
There are usually 2 buses from Geneva to Flaine each Saturday
(usually one departing in the morning and one departing around 18:00) On the return journey, from Flaine to Geneva, there are usually 3 buses (2 early morning buses and one in the early afternoon for flights departing Geneva at 19:00 or later). Therefore there may be a wait in the airport of a few hours.
Please log into your dashboard to add your flight details as soon as as your booking is confirmed and your flights are booked as transfer buses get booked up very quickly.
For flights outside of the Saturday schedule, it may be possible to get a train to Cluses and then a bus up to Flaine or you could have a look at Go Massif for transfer options.
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 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,131 GBP£1131 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 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: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,199 GBP£1199 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: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,204 GBP£1204 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: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,272 GBP£1272 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 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,257 GBP£1257 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: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,326 GBP£1326 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 30 – Feb 6, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 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 |
| Jan 30 – Feb 6, 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: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,381 GBP£1381 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: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,381 GBP£1381 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 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 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 |
| Mar 13 – Mar 20, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 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 |
| Mar 13 – Mar 20, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 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 |
| Mar 20 – Mar 27, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,176 GBP£1176 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: Grand Massif · Twin room supplement per person (£68) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,245 GBP£1245 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: Intro to Snowboard Off Piste, Introduction to Off Piste Skiing
Age restriction 18 - 55: 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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