Military Ski Brochure Winter 2016/17

ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Adventurous Training?
We aim to make your exped as
simple and smooth as possible!
Action Outdoors provides the easiest way to
organise a week’s adventurous training. We
understand the process that you need to go
through to authorise your expedition and will
do our upmost to make sure that it as hassle
free as possible. We believe that the
Expedition Leader should be able to look
forward to the week rather than dread anyone
even mentioning its name!
And with prices starting at £345 pp, what are
you waiting for?!
Expedition Planning
The various stages required when organising an expedition
are explained in more detail through the following pages:
- Deciding on accommodation, dates and numbers to
attend
- Determine method of travel
- Finding instructors
- Arranging finances
Who are Action Outdoors?
Action Outdoors is the UK partner to a huge non profit
French organisation called UCPA. UCPA run activity courses
similar to the Joint Services Adventure Training Centre’s.
The UCPA centre’s are large - majority sleep around 350
people in multi share rooms (normally 4 people to a room
but this does vary between resorts), with shared bathrooms,
dining facilities, social areas and a bar. To keep the cost as
low as possible, dishes are to be cleared away after eating
plus rooms are to be cleaned at the end of the week (this
never seems to be an issue for military groups) thus it isn't
a luxury way to go skiing just a very cost effective one as
everything is included in the price.
UCPA are a huge organisation that has been in existence
for over 50 years and takes ¼ m people away on courses
each year.
Why not book direct with UCPA?
Although Units can book direct with UCPA, there is no
difference in your package – we are simply the UK booking
agent. The major benefits are that we can charge in either
Euro or GBP, that we understand the military process and
that our paperwork is in English.
PAGE 1
«ACTION OUTDOORS PROVIDED AN
EXCELLENT SERVICE TO ENABLE THE
EASY ORGANISATION OF THIS
EXPEDITION. THEIR IN DEPTH
UNDERSTANDING OF THE MILITARY
AT SCHEME MEANT THAT THEY
UNDERSTOOD THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THE EXPEDITION PLUS ANY EXTRA
NEEDS» .»HTTP://WWW.ACTION-OUTDOORS.
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Action Outdoors Price Grid for Winter 2016 / 17
Dated: 11 August 2016
Prices in GBP
Centre
ChamonixArgentiere
Deux Alpes
Venosc
Chamonix
Flaine Lindars
Les Arcs
Les Contamines
Plagne 1800
Serre Chevalier
Tignes
Val d’Isere
02
Jan*
07
Jan
14
Jan
21
Jan
28
Jan
562
571
25
Feb
345
448
345
345
448
448
468
513
513
528
562
562
576
571
571
571
383
461
523
573
582
573
407
460
475
484
04
Mar
589
637
18
Mar
524
25
Mar
01
Apr
08
Apr
481
481
439
487
481
498
536
637
411
419
411
489
501
489
551
560
551
601
610
601
632
617
610
The price per person includes:
02 Jan* -Stay from Mon morning to Sat 14.00
All other dates:
Accommodation for 7 nights Sat 18.00 to Sat
14.00
Full board from Sat dinner to Sat breakfast
Lift pass for 6.5 days
Equipment hire for 6.5 days
UCPA Instructor to act as Local Expert when
over 30 pax book
PAGE 2
11
Mar
563
571
521
530
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Why choose Action
Outdoors?
Military groups have access to a specific military package offered at various centres across
the French Alps. UCPA actually have over 40 centres across the Alps and Pyrenees as well as
a further 100 centres used during the summer months. If none of the recommended centres
suit your requirements, then just ask and we will see what else we can offer!
Prices
The prices* provided on the e-mail correspondence are
for a minimum of 10 pax and include:
- 7 night’s accommodation
- Full board (Food Supplies can be invoiced separately)
- 6.5 day lift pass
- 6.5 day ski, pole and boot hire
- 1 UCPA instructor to act as an Expert in the field
*The prices will fluctuate according to the Euro / GBP
exchange rate. The prices will be amended accordingly
and a new price grid issued. The contracted price will
be based from the most up to date price grid from the
date the contract was requested.
The centres do have limited capacity and from your
initial contact through to when your deposit is received,
places may no longer be available. However, all of the
centres are in major ski resorts and they all offer a very
similar set up.
Unique to UCPA
Apart from the price, there are a few other aspects that
we pride ourselves with:
- Everything is on site (ski shop, restaurant, lecture
rooms, bar) making it very simple administrational wise.
Plus the centres are always walking distance from the
main lift and town.
- By eating together, you can be assured that everyone
is having 3 meals a day plus you don’t need to worry
about admin runs to the local supermarket for food.
- Everyone has their own bed rather than squeezed onto
tiny sofa beds found in the 4(6) man apartments normal
in ski resort accommodation.
- The UCPA instructor can provide guidance to those
new to the resort with the best slopes for teaching
particular activities, best area for snow conditions, where
to go on bad weather days etc
PAGE 3
WE UNDERSTAND THE JSATFA
PROCESS AND THAT BUDGETS ARE
LIMITED.
WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THE
IMPORTANCE FOR THE GUYS TO LET
THEIR HAIR DOWN SO THE NEED FOR
SOME LIVELY APRES SKI.
WE THEREFORE OFFER MAJOR SKI
RESORTS BUT AT A MINIMAL PRICE!
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
PAGE 4
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Accommodation
The accommodation is in purpose built activity centres that are designed to be
both practical and functional but provide a social environment where people
can relax after a day’s skiing. They offer a very international experience with
people coming from across the world to stay and ski in the French Alps. The
centres tend to be centrally located minimising the use of vehicles when in the
resort.
Bedrooms
Groups will be accommodated together in dorm style
rooms. The size of the rooms do vary but in the majority
of resorts they are 4 man with shared shower and WC
facilities. Each bed has a corresponding locker for
individual belongings. Twin rooms are available for an
extra supplement.
Males and females can be kept separate if required. If
there are any odd numbers, then individuals can be
accommodated with civilians of the same sex staying in
the centre.
Individuals are required to strip their beds and clean the
rooms at the end of their stay.
Dining
The food is similar to that in the junior ranks mess
where there is a large buffet selection catering for all
dietaries. Breakfast tends to be continental in style cereals, breads and jams, not the most luxurious but
plenty of it. Lunches can either be hot and / or packed
lunch depending on the resort. There is often cake on
offer after skiing and then evening meal - soup, salads,
pasta dishes, meat, pizza's, deserts and cheese though
this will vary on a daily basis. It is eat as much as you
like and never the worry about there not being enough
food!
The tables do need to be cleared and wiped down
after use. This is all part of how UCPA manage to keep
prices so low.
Your CILOR allowance can be deducted off the price of
the week and a separate invoice provided for Food
Supplies.
PAGE 5
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
«THE ACCOMMODATION WAS
IDEAL FOR THIS TYPE OF
EXPEDITION AND ALLOWED
TEAM COHESION THROUGHOUT
WHILST LIMITING COSTS.»
PAGE 6
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Facilities
All centres have a large social area, games room, TV
lounge, lecture rooms, WiFi and ski shop onsite. Some
even have a pool or spa. They are for adults only *
(18—40 yr olds though groups can take pax above this
age) so the staff are aware of what individuals require
but do prefer that any drunken antics are not brought
back after a night out.
Lecture rooms, if available, can be reserved on your
arrival.
Equipment
The equipment is provided according to the
individual’s standard with the ski shop hosting a huge
range of equipment and boots to suit everyone.
Although the boots, poles and ski’s are provided, Units
may still chose to apply to the Loan Pool for ski
clothing and ski touring platforms. If so, it is advisable
to request helmets. They cost an additional £10 per
helmet to hire from the UCPA centre.
The UCPA centres do not offer ski touring equipment
without Units paying to attend a ski touring week
available at specific centres only. Prices are more
expensive to cover cost of Guide.
Evening entertainment
Each centre employs a person to co-ordinate the
evening entertainment. It ranges from live music to
quiz nights to karaoke. If a Unit would like to have
some influence in the program, then please send your
ideas at least a week in advance.
* Some centres do allow children during school
holidays.
PAGE 7
Dates
Often Units don’t have flexibility with dates. Unless
you are booking early, this can limit the choice of
centres available. Early January is the cheapest time
to go skiing, with prices picking up on a weekly basis
until the peak period over the school half term.
Prices then stay high until after Easter when they
decrease rapidly back down to the January rates.
Obviously the more expensive periods relate to the
more popular weeks. UCPA don’t offer the
discounted ‘student’ rate over weeks where they
know that they can sell the centre at full price nor at
the more popular centres such as Val Thorens.
Numbers
Your ratio of instructor to students will often limit the
numbers that you plan your expedition for. However,
it is better to have a good idea of numbers
interested before you book.
Any adjustments in numbers downward will result in
the loss of the deposit (full cost of individuals if
within 1 month). Numbers can be increased for no
extra charge but this is dependent on availability. We
advise increasing pax as the preferred option.
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
PAGE 8
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
The Centres
Resort
Accom
Nightlife
Piste
Lifts
Runs
Fact
Webpage
Argentiere
3 star
Few bars
160km
63
18G 27B 30R
11Bl
World famous off piste
located minutes from the
brand new centre
UCPA Argentiere
Chamonix
2 star
Fantastic
160km
63
18G 27B 30R
11Bl
Slap bang in the centre
of a very lively town
UCPA Chamonix
Flaine
3 star
Few bars and
clubs
265km
78
17G 64B 45R
15Bl
Brilliant beginners area
but plenty for all and
accommodated in a
fantastic centre
UCPA Flaine
La Plagne
3 star
Few bars and
clubs
225km
81
10G 69B 33R
18Bl
A piste runs underneath
the beautifully renovated
centre
UCPA La Plagne
Les Arcs
2 star
Walking
distance to few
bars
200km
57
11G 53B 32R
19BL
Huge centre with great
atmosphere. Great for
big groups to keep them
together
UCPA Les Arcs
Les
Contamines
2 star
Few bars
120km
26
8G 12B 19R
9Bl
Quieter ski area but
plenty to explore and
popular with military
UCPA Contamines
Les Deux
Alpes
2 star
Fantastic
230km
51
14G 26B 14R
8Bl
Lively ski resort with a
huge range of pubs and
clubs.
UCPA Les Deux Alpes
Serre Chevalier 2 star
Few bars
250km
63
23G 31B 39R
14Bl
A sun sure resort that
offers a huge range of
skiing and a swimming
pool to relax in after a
day on the slopes
UCPA Serre Chevalier
Tignes
3 star
Good
300km
80
23G 66B 40R
27Bl
A fantastic ski area that
UCPA Tignes
is popular with students.
Renovated summer 2016
Val d’Isere
1 star
Fantastic
300km
80
23G 66B 40R
27Bl
Where the rich people go UCPA Val d’Isere
to party but amazing
skiing on offer too
Val Thorens
3 star
Walking distance but good
140km
30
9G 28B 23R
7Bl
Fantastic modern centre
in an area that offers a
huge range of pistes
PAGE 9
UCPA Val Thorens
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
«I’VE NOW RUN 5
EXPEDITIONS TO VARIOUS
UCPA’S - I CAN HONESTLY
SAY THAT IT MAKES NO
ODDS WHERE YOU GO, THEY
ARE ALL FANTASTIC ! .»
PAGE 10
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Our Prices
Resort
Week
starting
27 Nov
4
Dec
11
Dec
1
Jan
2 Jan 8
Jan
Flaine
La Plagne
Les Arcs
Les
Contamines
Les Deux
Alpes
Val
Thorens
Les Orres
All prices shown are in pounds sterling.
PAGE 11
15
Jan
22
Jan
29
Jan
5
Feb
26
Feb
5
Mar
12
Mar
19
Mar
26
Mar
2
Apr
9
Apr
16
Apr
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Travel Options
We don’t tie you in to travel, Units are completely free to arrange their own
but we are also very willing to help plan the logistics for your exped too!
There is no requirement to use a vehicle at any of the
UCPA centres. The majority are ski in / out with the
remainder walking distance to the slopes (Chamonix
and Les Contamines are exceptions but buses are
provided by UCPA at these resorts). The only
advantage is for a small car for any emergency /
hospital visits but vehicle rental could be used if this
situation arose.
Flights
Most of the airlines do accept group bookings with a
small deposit. We can advise on current prices and
routes but request that Units arrange their own flights
due to the rate that flight prices change, the amount
of personal administration involved and any costs
incurred through name changes etc
Transfers
We can arrange your transfer from the airport to
resort. Transfers can be arranged for the individual
through to the main body. The cost is dependent on
location.
Self drive
The majority of centres have their own private car
park or use of a public one within walking distance.
There will be a small charge.
PAGE 12
Coach
Action Outdoors are partners to a scheduled coach service,
Snow Express. We can offer individual seats with departure
either from London or Folkestone for prices around £130pp.
Alternatively, we can organise a private vehicle for your
expedition that will pick you up from your Barracks. The
price for a private coach averages around £6000 depending
on your location and date. They seat 49 pax but larger
vehicles can be arranged. This includes the channel crossing,
tolls and drivers accommodation whilst in location.
«AS THERE WERE ONLY 18 IN THE
GROUP, THE GUYS JOINED THE
SNOWEXPRESS COACH AT DOVER.
MUCH LESS HASSLE THAN A SELF
DRIVE AND NO DAILY WINTER
CHECKS ON THE MINIBUS»
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Finding Instructors
Your expedition instructors will have guidance from the
allocated UCPA instructor regarding weather, avalanche
danger and suitable slopes for the required lesson. We
highly encourage Units to make the most of this
individual and gain as much of their local expertise from
them as possible. However, this instructor is not
authorized to take the place of a military instructor.
If you don’t have access to sufficient military instructors
for your expedition then you will need to speak to your
Divisional Officer who will advise you with what your
options are.
The first port of call should be to e-mail the instructors
who have entered their details onto AT SYS website. Also
place an instructor support request onto this system.
PAGE 13
If nothing positive comes back, ask your Chain of
Command to place a signal requesting support to all
units. The Gym also has access to an e-mail distribution
list that may provide some help.
If none of these options work, speak with the Training
Officer at ATG(G), who holds the detail of all military
personnel that have been on a JS ski instructor course.
The UCPA instructors all hold the necessary civilian
qualifications but authorisation to use them must be
given through the JSATFA and this is to be seen as the
last available option. There is now a charge for
instruction.
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Arranging Finances
To reserve your beds for an expedition, the required deposit depends on how soon you book.
The table below explains the time line for the minimum payments that should coincide with
when you receive Unit funds:
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Time until
departure
Deposit required
6 months +
£1000 for group booking*. Dates and numbers can still be amended subject to availability.
4 months
£50 per head (*if more than 20pax, a further instalment will be required at this point)
2 months
£100 per head
1 month
Full payment required minus CILOR
1 week
CILOR payment required
The balance can be paid in instalments with the dates
agreed mutually. They should be able to correspond with
authorisation of your JSATFA and collection of personal
contributions and grants.
To help with CILOR we can provide 2 separate invoices
- 1 to include:

7 night's accommodation

6.5 days ski and boot hire

6.5 days lift pass
Plus another for Food Services. Normally the CILOR
contribution is around £66 per person which can be
reduced off the price listed.
The following example should help explain this in
more detail (20 pax, cost of holiday £383):
Estimated Expenditure
Travel
Flights
Transfer
£ (Total)
Other Expenditure
£ (Total)
Accommodation, lift pass and equipment hire
(£307)
Food Supplies (£66)
£6 140
Helmets (£10)
£200
£1 320
Insurance
Hoddies / prizes
INSURANCE
Although you are on Duty status from the authorization of
your JSATFA, we highly recommend that you still take out
a ski specific insurance policy. Unfortunately we hear of
plenty of accidents from working in the ski industry and
the need for urgent piste rescue. The insurance companies
will immediately cover the cost for a helicopter rescue if
required.
PAGE 14
There are many travel insurance providers out there.
Please confirm that they pay out for travel disruption,
lost ski rental equipment and personal belongings,
cover off piste without a guide (anything out of the
marked piste area is classed as off piste which is covered as part of your ski foundation syllabus) as well as
medical rescue and repatriation.
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE
You will need to keep in contact with Action Outdoors
regarding payment and numbers. We will also be able to
answer any specific questions about the resort (medical
facilities etc for your admin instruction)
ADMINISTRATIONAL DEADLINES:
We will send out the following e-mails requesting the
following information:
- Nominal role 1 month before travel. Any changes are to be
notified immediately.
- Suggested room layout 2 weeks before travel
- Regimental emergency contact for the expedition members
- Expected time of arrival and dietary requirements at least 3
days in advance.
That’s all that we will need to know until a brief chat
afterwards to check that all went well!
PAGE 15
ACTION OUTDOORS | MILITARY EXPEDITIONS | WINTER 2016/17
Your Next Step
If you are interested in booking your expedition through Action Outdoors and know when
and where you would like to go, then please let us know as soon as possible. We will send
over a contract and invoice.
We can often reserve the places through UCPA for 10 days by which time we would need to
have received a deposit from your Unit and a scan of the contract..
Alternatively, please keep in contact until the COC has authorized the necessary paperwork if we don’t hear from you then we can only assume you are not proceeding!
Office: 0203 328 5443
E-mail: groups@action-outdoors.co.uk
PAGE 16