Adventurous Training?

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1 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! 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 47 years and takes ¼ m people away on courses each year. «ACTION OUTDOORS PROVIDED AN EXCELLENT SERVICE TO ENABLE THE EASY ORGANISATION OF THIS EXPEDITION, THEIR IN DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE MILITARY AT SCHEME MEANT IT WAS EASY TO ADAPT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXPEDITION TO SUIT THE UNITS NEEDS».» 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

2 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 correspondence are for a minimum of 10 pax and include: - 7 night s accommodation - Full board (CILOR can be deducted from the price) day lift pass 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 walking distance from the main lift and town. 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! - 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 2

3 ACTION OUTDOORS MILITARY EXPEDITIONS WINTER 2015/16 PAGE 3

4 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 Bedrooms Groups will be accommodated together in dorm style rooms. The size of the rooms does 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 tidy 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 tea and 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. CILOR can be deducted off the price of the week and a separate invoice provided. PAGE 4

5 ACTION OUTDOORS MILITARY EXPEDITIONS WINTER 2015/16 «THE ACCOMMODATION WAS IDEAL FOR THIS TYPE OF EXPEDITION AND ALLOWED TEAM COHESION THROUGHOUT WHILST LIMITING COSTS.» PAGE 5

6 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 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 specific week. 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. Dates Often Units don t have flexibility with dates but 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. 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 if within 1 month). Numbers can be increased for no extra charge but this is dependent on availability. PAGE 6

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8 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 renovated centre UCPA La Plagne Les Arcs 2 star Walking distance to few bars 200km 57 11G 53B 32R 19BL Huge centre which is 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 pool to relax in apres UCPA Serre Chevalier Tignes 1 star Good 300km 80 23G 66B 40R 27Bl A fantastic ski area that is popular with students UCPA Tignes Val d Isere 1 star Fantastic 300km 80 23G 66B 40R 27Bl Where the rich people go to party but amazing skiing on offer too UCPA Val d Isere Val Thorens 3 star Walking distance but good 140km 30 9G 28B 23R 7Bl Brand new centre in an area that offers a huge range of pistes UCPA Val Thorens PAGE 8

9 «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 9

10 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. Coach Action Outdoors are partners to a scheduled coach service, Snow Express. We can offer individual seats with departure either from London or Folkstone 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. «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» This includes the channel crossing, tolls and drivers accommodation whilst in location. PAGE 10

11 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 the options are. The first port of call should be to the instructors who have entered their details onto AT SYS website. Also place an instructor support request onto the system. 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 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. PAGE 11

12 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 Deposit required departure 6 months 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 spreadsheet should help explain this in more detail (20 pax, cost of holiday 383): Estimated Expenditure Travel (Total) Other Expenditure (Total) Flights Accommodation, lift pass and equipment hire ( 307) Transfer Food Supplies ( 66) Helmets ( 10) 200 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 through 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. Action Outdoors can arrange travel insurance through our company policy sold to individuals. This costs 23 per person and includes your belongings. Alternatively, contact the insurers Tower Gate Wilsons who deal with numerous military expeditions too. PAGE 12

13 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 s 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 13

14 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 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 feel free to keep in contact until the COC has authorized the necessary paperwork too! Office: info@action-outdoors.co.uk PAGE 14