UCPA La Plagne review

Not many British skiiers or boarders I talk to have ever heard of the UCPA, but it’s probably the most cost effective way to take a holiday in the snow in France. UCPA (Union nationale des Centres sportifs de Plein Air) is the equivalent to the Youth Hostel Association in the UK. UCPA offers a variety of holidays for under 39′s (not that this age limit seemed to be enforced) across it’s many centres all over France, including a great range of ski or snowboard holidays.

We stayed at the UCPA in La Plagne on a 4 day weekend ski trip. All UCPA skiing or snowboard holidays include lift passes for the area, ski or board hire and all meals. For all this the cost was only £250. With week long trips you can also choose to have group UCPA ski or snowboard lessons. Travel is not included but there are plenty of reasonable independent ways to travel to the Franch Alps.

When you check in at the La Plagne UCPA, manned by the extremely lovely Audrey whilst we were there, you will be handed your lift pass, and your voucher to pick up your ski’s or snowboard from the onsite hire shop. You will need to have 100 euros in cash on you as a deposit.

The La Plagne UCPA is situated right on the piste in La Plagne Centre, with several lift options. You can walk about 100metres to the Funiplagne that goes up to La Grande Rochette or ski down to Melezes chairlift or beyond that to La Plagne 1800. Either way you can get to a number of different ski areas in La Plagne very quickly.

The UCPA itself sleeps 240 people with all it’s rooms ensuite and sleeping either 2 or 4 people. Typically you will be allocated a 4 bed room with either friends or others if you’re travelling on your own or in a group less than 4. However if you’re travelling with a partner, or you’d like a 2 bed room, just ask at the point of booking and you can upgrade for 50 euros.

We stayed in one of the 4 bed rooms and it was spacious with everything you’ll need, 2 wardrobes, a large chest of drawers and each bed had a bedside table and lamp. There was also a large ensuite bathroom. We were located on the piste side of the UCPA, which offered great views up the mountain but also meant that the piste bashers could be heard at night, so we’d recommend ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper. Saying that any convenient piste side hotel / chalet is going to be the same anyway.

All holidays at the UCPA are fully inclusive and, unlike other catered ski holidays, include lunch too. The day starts off in the morning with a cold breakfast, with a range of cereals, yoghurts, fruits, bread and juices. Also an interesting one to watch is that tea and coffee is taken in a cereal bowl. Strange, but I got to love my cup of tea in a cereal bowl every morning! Lunch can either be taken as a packed lunch (requested the night before) or a hot meal back at the UCPA. Evening meals are 3 course buffet style and offer a range of food, including traditional French meals with the odd themed night thrown in (Caribbean when we were there.) All the food on our stay was plentiful and nutritional. Puddings are provided, but for a lighter option try the ice cream and sorbet available every night, which was of really great quality. After all meals you are responsible for returning your plates and cutlery and ensuring your table is clean. It takes only a couple of minutes and is no hassle at all.

After dinner you can take advantage of the large piste side bar where the drinks are very reasonable. Drinks are purchased by a token system, each token pack costs 22.50 euros and will buy you a good few beers behind the bar. We worked out that a bottle of wine cost around 9 euros, which is very good value for a ski resort. The bar is lively, but doesn’t tend to have live music. For that you can head along the fantastic underground tunnel to the Igloo Bar, which has live music every night and a great atmosphere.

All in all we loved the weekend at the UCPA, the facilities themselves were better than some hotels we’ve stayed in and the value for money is truly outstanding. It’s also a great option if you’re travelling solo and want to ski or board with others. La Plagne ski area is great for all levels of skier or boarder, more can be found about the La Plagne area here.

An all inclusive 4 day weekend at the La Plagne UCPA costs around 235 euros or a weeks holiday starts from 535 euros (490 euros without lessons). Unfortunately all 4 day weekend breaks at La Plagne UCPA are sold out for this ski season (2010), a 2 day weekend can still be booked for only 170 euros.  Alernatively 4 day weekend breaks are still available at various other UCPA’s and start from 220 euros. You can find out more and book online at the UCPA website.

UCPA centres can be found in the following ski resorts (note they are all different, and have a different standard of accommodation):

UCPA Argentière
UCPA Chamonix
UCPA Contamines
UCPA Flaine les Lindars
UCPA La Plagne – Le France  (the one we stayed in)
UCPA La Plagne 1800
UCPA Les Arcs 1600
UCPA Les 2 Alpes
UCPA Saint Sorlin
UCPA Saint Lary
UCPA Serre Chevalier
UCPA Tignes
UCPA Val Cenis
UCPA Val d’Isere
UCPA Valloire
UCPA Val Thorens
UCPA Vars