A solid skiing level and proper off-piste skiing skills are essential.
From perfecting your off-piste skills and using touring equipment and avalanche transceivers (DVA), to mastering kick turns, map reading, orientation, and mountain terrain analysis, these discovery routes provide you with all the necessary foundations! A solid skiing level and proper off-piste skiing skills are essential.
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.
- CourseSki touring course: 5 guided days; ratio 1:8
- 1 coach : 8 guests
- Backcountry guidingGuided ski tours with UCPA guides; full ski touring and avalanche equipment provided where included
- 1 guide : 8 guests
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- Riding
- You have never done ski touring before, or you are not confident enough yet to do Touring Level 2. You are at least Advanced level on piste and should have some experience off piste depending on the course.
- Equipment
- Full ski touring and avalanche gear (not on all courses - check below)
- Age
- 18 - 40: Intro to Off Piste & Ski Touring, Ski Tour Introduction
- Languages
- The instructors all speak French and English and the instruction will be in both languages (although the level of English is variable).
- Intro to Off Piste & Ski Touring: levels Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1, ages 18 - 40
- Ski Tour Introduction: levels Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1, ages 18 - 40
- You have never done ski touring before, or you are not confident enough yet to do Touring Level 2. You are at least Advanced level on piste and should have some experience off piste depending on the course.
- Chamonix is a relatively 'decentralised' ski resort comprising of 5 main smaller ski resorts, and one high mountain lift.
- Brevent and Flegere are arguably the most popular areas, with plenty of altitude, a variety of runs for both expert and beginners alike, as well as a great lift network.
- Being predominantly south facing they receive lots of sun.
- The two areas are connected via a lift, but all the other ski areas are independent of each other.
- 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 hireFull ski touring and avalanche gear (not on all courses - check below)
- Accommodation
- Lift pass
- All meals
- Instruction & guiding
- Off piste equipment – beacon, shovel, probe
- Bedding
- Ski touring equipment
- All technical equipment
Not included
- Transfers
- Tourist taxObligatory tourist tax charged by the local town, £5 on the date checked
- Towels
- Insurance
- Personal clothing
- Towels
- Optional extra: Airport transfer (Geneva Shared Return Transfer (£73); Geneva Private Transfer (£455))
- 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. A brief discussion of the week ahead and safety talk might be given here too, but most likely the day after.
- Day 2: Introduction to the skins, the ARVA avalanche transceiver, understanding weather and confirmation of ability levels.
- Day 3: Full day ski tour.
- Day 4: Morning free skiing, afternoon spent developing off piste ski technique with a flexible itinerary depending on snow conditions.
- Day 5: Full day ski tour
- Day 6: Full day ski tour
- 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: 5 minute bus
Center distance to town: 2 minute walk
Room Capacity: 4 to 6, twins available
Center Capacity: 200
Catered: Full board
The centre
Chamonix UCPA is perfectly located just 2 minutes walk from the town centre and the main bars. The centre is a Victorian building complete with a bar, buffet style restaurant, several ski rooms and social areas. From the dining room you have a fantastic view across to Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Gouter.
Multishare rooms
Chamonix shared rooms are spacious, with most of them having a sink and shower in the room. Toilets are shared on each floor.
Groups who are on our system together as a group are typically roomed together in a combination that works. If group size is bigger than the room size, or if you want your group to be split for rooming, then it's best to email the UCPA centre directly around 2 weeks before travel.
Solo travellers are usually roomed with people of similar age, gender and course.
Twin rooms
There are some twin rooms at UCPA Chamonix, with shower and sinks in the room, but shared bathrooms. 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 Chamonix. You would need to arrange onward transport from Geneva Airport to Chamonix. For most trips we can provide transfers, just select the option at checkout.
Airport Transfers:
We offer shared transfers which go from Geneva airport to Chamonix with our transfer provider Mountain Dropoffs.
The transfer takes ~1h30 and is usually in a 9 seater minibus.
There is no timetable, passengers are grouped together based on flight times.
Please log in to your dashboard to enter your flight details as soon as your booking is confirmed and your flights booked, in order that we can book you onto the best possible transfer times, otherwise transfers will be subject to availability at the time that we receive your flight details
By Coach:
Our partner company Snowexpress offers affordable and environmentally friendly travel to the alps. All hold bags and ski bags are included in the price. TYour coach will depart London Victoria on the Friday eveningand will arrive in resort around Saturday lunchtime.
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 30 – Feb 6, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Montenvers + Aiguille du Midi · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £118) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,290 GBP£1290 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 6 – Feb 13, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Montenvers + Aiguille du Midi · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £118) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,281 GBP£1281 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 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Montenvers + Aiguille du Midi · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £118) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,281 GBP£1281 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 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Montenvers + Aiguille du Midi · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £118) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,281 GBP£1281 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 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: Approximately 23 hours · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Montenvers + Aiguille du Midi · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £118) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,281 GBP£1281 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, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: 5 guided days · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Aiguille du Midi + Montenvers · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £118) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,304 GBP£1304 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, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: 5 guided days · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Aiguille du Midi + Montenvers · Twin room supplement per person (SOLD OUT @ £118) | 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 |
| Mar 20 – Mar 27, 2027Choose these datesAges 18 - 40 · Levels: Advanced, Expert, Off Piste 1, Touring 1 · Lesson hours: 5 guided days · Ratio 1:8 · Lift pass: Chamonix Le Pass + Aiguille du Midi + Montenvers · Twin room supplement per person (£118) | 2026/27 | 7 days | 1,166 GBP£1166 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 Off Piste & Ski Touring, Ski Tour Introduction
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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