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: 23hrs Mon - Fri; ratio Approx 1:10-12; 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 - 30: Club Exclusive 18-30 Ski Off Piste - Advanced, Club Exclusive 18-30 Snowboard Off Piste - Advanced; 18 - 40: Introduction to Off Piste Skiing; 18 - 55: Ski Off Piste - Advanced, Ski Off Piste - Expert, Snowboard Off Piste - Advanced, Snowboard Off Piste - Expert
- Languages
- The instructors all speak French and English and the instruction will be in both languages (although the level of English is variable).
- Club Exclusive 18-30 Ski Off Piste - Advanced: levels Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, ages 18 - 30
- Club Exclusive 18-30 Snowboard Off Piste - Advanced: levels Advanced, Expert, ages 18 - 30
- 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
- Ski Off Piste - Expert: levels Expert, Off Piste 4, ages 18 - 55
- Snowboard Off Piste - Expert: levels Expert, Off Piste 4, ages 18 - 55
- Snowboard Off Piste - Advanced: levels Expert, Off Piste 4, 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.
- At a height of 2300m Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and combined with the Glacier de Peclet offers some of the most snow sure conditions of any resort.
- The village is located in the heart of the ski area making it truly ski in ski out, there is even a piste and 'carpet' lift running right through the centre of the resort.
- Val Thorens is part of the Three Valleys ski area which is the largest in the world but even just the Val Thorens ski area is enormous, boasting over 140km of piste with an excellent distribution across all levels.
- Nearly all of the ski area is above 2000m and largely north facing which means conditions are typically very good even during challenging snowfall.
- 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, £12 on the date checked
- Towels
- Transport to resort
- Insurance
- Soft & alcoholic drinks
- Personal clothing
- Towels
- Optional extra: Airport transfer (Geneva Shared Return Transfer (£99); Lyon Shared Return Transfer (£103); Grenoble Shared Return Transfer (£107); London Coach (£229))
- Optional extra: Accommodation in twin room (2 Person Twin Room (£214))
- Obligatory tourist tax charged by the local town (£12 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: 15 minutes
Room Capacity: 4 person rooms, twins available
Center Capacity: 380
Catered: Full board
The centre
One of the best UCPA centres by far. The Val Thorens UCPA centre is a ski in ski out location built right in the middle of the pistes. With a modern design throughout, the quality of the centre is very high. Featuring a large restaurant, large bar and sun terrace, games room, secure ski storage rooms, drying rooms, ski hire store, and plenty of places to relax.
Multishare rooms
The shared rooms at Val Thorens are very modern and comfortable.The bathrooms are shared on each floor and are well maintained.
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 a few twin rooms at UCPA Val Thorens, which are very spacious, ensuite, and comparable to a hotel. 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:
The nearest airports to Val Thorens are Grenoble (144km) and Geneva (150km). Geneva is typically the most popular, due to the wider range of flights and transfers to resorts.
Airport Transfers:
We provide shared transfers which go directly to Val Thorens from Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble with our local partner, Ben's Bus. Transfers usually run on Saturdays only, with a few exceptions. The journey from all three airports takes around 3h30 but timings can vary according to weather and traffic. Geneva offers the most transfer buses during a Saturday, with fewer buses operating from Grenoble and Lyon.
We provide Geneva airport transfers through our local transfer partner, Ben's Bus. Transfers mainly run on Saturdays with very limited Sunday transfers available.
Typically the transfer time is 3h30, but this can vary due to weather and traffic. As this is a shared transfer service there are likely to be several stops en route and you may need to wait in the airport so that your journey can be combined with other passengers.
There is not a timetable as such, as the transfers are arranged to meet with popular flights.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 3 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,458 GBP£1458 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: Val Thorens + 2 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,345 GBP£1345 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 |
| Feb 13 – Feb 20, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: 8 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,439 GBP£1439 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 |
| Feb 13 – Feb 20, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 3 days in 3 valleys · 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 |
| Feb 20 – Feb 27, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 23hrs Mon - Fri · Ratio Approx 1:10-12 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 2 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,439 GBP£1439 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 |
| Feb 20 – Feb 27, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: 8 or 9 sessions (approximately 23 hours) · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 3 days in 3 valleys · 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 |
| Feb 27 – Mar 6, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 3 days in 3 valleys · 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 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: Val Thorens + 2 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,399 GBP£1399 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: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 3 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,413 GBP£1413 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: Val Thorens · 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 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 2 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,263 GBP£1263 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 27 – Apr 3, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: 8 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,231 GBP£1231 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 27 – Apr 3, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Expert, Off Piste 4 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio Approximately 1:8 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 3 days in 3 valleys · 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 |
| Apr 3 – Apr 10, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1 · Lesson hours: 8 - 9 sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 2 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,126 GBP£1126 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 |
| Apr 3 – Apr 10, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 55 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 3 · Lesson hours: 23hrs Mon - Fri · Ratio Approx 1:10-12 · Lift pass: Val Thorens + 2 days in 3 valleys · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 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 |
| Apr 10 – Apr 17, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 30 · Levels: Intermediate, Advanced, Expert · Lesson hours: 4 instructed sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Val Thorens · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 783 GBP£783 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 |
| Apr 10 – Apr 17, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 30 · Levels: Advanced, Expert · Lesson hours: 4 instructed sessions · Ratio Approximately 1:9 · Lift pass: Val Thorens · Twin room supplement per person (£214) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 783 GBP£783 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 - 30: Club Exclusive 18-30 Ski Off Piste - Advanced, Club Exclusive 18-30 Snowboard Off Piste - Advanced
Age restriction 18 - 40: Introduction to Off Piste Skiing
Age restriction 18 - 55: Ski Off Piste - Advanced, Ski Off Piste - Expert, Snowboard Off Piste - Advanced, Snowboard Off Piste - Expert
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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