 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello all,
To cut a long story short it's not looking like I'm going to get to ski this year unless I look to go it alone! On Googling something to this effect I was lead to this site.
I've been skiing for around 6 years now where I've manged about 10 + weeks. I guess I fall in that murkiest of groups-intermediate. Ski on anything on piste in a variety of condtions from ice to slush-slowy progressing into off piste. In previous years where I've struggled to get a trip together I've joined a mate who's an instructor working out in Italy but this isn't a possibility unless I want to get myself out to Japan-which just won't happen sadly.
So what are my options? I'm a married man so I'm not sure about these trips advertised as 'singles trips' are in reality? I travel on business quite allot so that element doesn't bother me, when I've joined my mate I've happily skied on my own nearly all day until he's got off work but it does get a bit boring being on your own for a week.
I'm not really a very out going person in unfamiliar company until I get a few beers in me...... The thought of not skiing at all is unacceptable, I just want some like minded people to enjoying skiing and a few beers with. I'm not on a strict budget but I go to ski so , would prob prefer a room to myself.
I've done some looking on the internet, but I'd like to hear other peoples experiences who have done similar. I've seen the bashes are these fully subscribed?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bene, welcome to snowheads.  No, I don't think the bashes are yet fully subscribed - they'd be a very good idea. But there are lots of others. My OH was out of action with knee problems one year and I did a week's ski course, with lessons in the mornings. It was a good way of doing it - little groups of us from the lessons could ski together in the afternoons and the range of abilities was very wide - the top couple of groups were instructors, I was in the middling level, having been skiing a good few years and one of those murky "intermediates".
There are loads of possibilities - lots of different outfits offering ski instructing weeks. No problem having your own room - you just have to pay extra!
I'd absolutely definitely not go for one of those "singles" trips.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| The thought of not skiing at all is unacceptable, |
Then you are in good company here
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| I just want some like minded people to enjoying skiing and a few beers with |
You've found them 
What you've described is basically the life-blood of this forum and what gave rise to the bashes in the first place.
The only bash that is fully subscribed at the moment is the S10BB, our 10th Birthday Bash. I thought that taking on 50% more beds than last year would have been enough - but what can U do? 
If it's the one that really grabs you though, it's worth putting yourself down as "still hopeful" as there are bound to be one or two drop-outs between now and then. Solo rooms may not be so easy on this one though as we're so full already.
However, the Pre Season Bash and the PreBirthdayBashWarmUpWeek both have space.
The PSB is soon, has a good instructional element and ski testing, the PreBBWUW2 is in the Dolomites ('nuff said).
For a small fee, a solo room on either of these isn't a problem.
Later in the season we'll have the Spring Off Piste Bash - again, a strong instructional element for those who desire it.
And of course the legendary End of Season Bash - our 10th EoSB!
These aren't full either (because I haven't opened them for booking yet).
There may also be one or two other, smaller, more off the cuff groups in between depending upon what opportunities present themselves.
The bashes are relaxed: there's no enforced groupery but they are designed to make it very easy to hook up with people as and when you want to, whether for a ski, a coffee, lunch or a beer.
There always tends to someone up late but most are up around first lift
I realise you may assume that I'd be bound to paint them in a positive light but hones' guv, it's all true I tell ya! 
Even if none of the bashes seem to suit, there are always people in this forum looking to fill the last place in a group.
I'd tend to agree with pam w though - anything with "single" in the title, approach with extreme caution!
...and of course, Welcome to snowHeads!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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pam w, NeddySkiGoon, Thanks for the warm welcome! pam w, What was the company you did that with? The lessons do appeal, I prefer private lessons but naturally the group lessons would allow me to meet people. I looked at Mark Warner who have a chalet in St Anton but they only do 2 days of hosting as opposed to lessons.
NeddySkiGoon, The bash def appeals hopefully if I can get talking to fellow travellers to break the ice prior to the trip would be good. I think my wife is happy letting me go away for a week but might be pushing it for two.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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admin, Thanks for the info it certainly appeals and the Dolomites is an area I've always wanted to ski. I've skiied pretty much every resort going in the Aosta valley, not a party animal any more but ski holidays can bring it out in me much to the detriment of my skiing the next day....... I will read up more about the bashes, how do people decide who's going to ski with who? Do groups depending on ability naturally form?
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Bene, I went with a precursor to Inspired to Ski - http://www.inspiredtoski.com/
But there are a lot of others. e.g. http://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com www.snoworks.co.uk
The groups are typically small, maybe 6 people - and I find the formula very good. It's sociable, and you learn by watching others. Will be doing some lessons in Tignes next week, with Inside Out skiing. Am doing my first SHs bash in February, having missed last year due to injury.
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pam w, Thanks, I'll have a look at those. The bash before the birthday one would fit well-just reading the FAQ's in another window....
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Bene Don't worry about meeting people, every one is very friendly and we all have skiing in common. I thought I was pushing my luck asking for two weeks, but the OH was fine, she gets two weeks in Turkey with the Coven.
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NeddySkiGoon, It's surprisingly easy to get a pass from the Mrs, she skis too, but isn't as hooked as me and for one reason or another can't ski this season and previous ski mates are all in different circumstances, kids lack of funds etc.
Had a look at some of the links pam w, gave. This kind of set up does appeal but if I'm not sure if I only get the one week if I want it to be focused on learning or having fun. Had a look on the Warren Smith site and there group grading, it's hard to tell just from a short video what I'd class myself as. I can hold carved turns on fairly steep pitches, and harbour aspirations to be an off piste god but it all goes to pot! I had a week of half day private lessons and at the end he said there wasn't really much more to learn on piste, I do like skiing on piste and can more than keep up with my instructor buddies (not that that's what it's all about).
All food for thought anyhow-are there any Cumbrian Snowheads who might be going on the pre-birthday bash? Is there a way of searching members by location?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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There's a couple from the other end of the A69 (and one of them used to live in Cumbria). Not sure where half of the rest live.
Don't think there's any way of searching by location, since anyone can put anything in that field.
It certainly looks like a good bash for a first bash. Nice manageable number of people, where you'd get to socialise, ski, dine with everyone at some point in the week  (and is my first choice bash week next season)
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Hi Bene, I live near Caldbeck and work in Carlisle. I don't think I'm going on a bash this year, but did so last year and I agree with the comments made so far about them. They can be as sociable as you wish or you can ski alone or with a small group. You can have lessons or not (depending I think, on which bash you go for).
I'm going with one other person (so far) to Warth (Austria, just put in a new link to Lech) Jan 11th and going to the Dolomites (St Vigilio, Kronplatz) 15-23 March with about 8 others. You are welcome if either suits you.
You will find plenty of offers to join in with various trips, ranging from all levels of ability and cost.
Which bit of Cumbria are you in?
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how do people decide who's going to ski with who? Do groups depending on ability naturally form?
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Bene, it's not just about ability but about desired pace, tendency to stop for coffeeor more commonly Calimero/Bombardino , intended direction of travel, ie planned lunch stop etc.
The groups just tend to form naturally: snowHeads talk to each other. You may not be able to foresee the process but it'll just happen, pretty effortlessly if my cunning plan works (and it usually does). People meet by accident or design, in the evening, over breakfast, in the bootroom, at the foot of the lifts or anywhere around the mountain and just tag along with each other. Some stick together all week, other's rarely stick with the same group till lunch.
It's all very easy
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You know it makes sense.
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Bene, I've done quite a bit of ski hols a few years back as a solo. I've always used a hotel - because they generally have a bar which helps you to meet folks on the firdt evening.
A chalet would force you into contact but you might not like the other guests - or they might not like you. A largish hotel means you are not banged together for the duration.
If you're having lessons again you are automatically in contact with like-minded folks.
And I've met up with some sH on one trip - but that wasn't a bash. (Well it was, sort of, - but not in the current Admin-inspired form)
Do it - sH bash, hotel, chalet, S/C, Indie travel or TO - - - whatever you prefer. The only hassle with hotels is it can be very difficult to avoid horrendous single room supplements.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Bene, I went on a Warren Smith course by myself last year. Not only was the course superb, improving my skiing no-end and seeing parts of the domain I wouldn't have ventured in myself, it was also very social with lots of other 'sole-skiers' on the course too. Everyone in my group got on very well and it was very enjoyable. The instructor was great, both technically and socially. If the evening social aspect is important then I'd recommend staying in either the main chalet hotel advertised or nearby (in central Verbier). The video analysis is held two evenings in the chalet hotel.
Although you are on a course and you are learning a lot, the skiing is fun with a good mix of on and safe off-piste, and it was probably one of the best weeks skiing I've had. Lots of people go year after year, in fact some were on their second course that year.
Also I wouldn't worry about which of the ski level groups you would put yourself in. Everyone does a run on the first morning and they sort the groups out from there (and chop and change the groups if you need to move up or down a level).
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Poster: A snowHead
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JohnHSmith, I'm about an hour from you down the west coast I live just inside the Lake District national park in a little village called Ennerdale. I had the offer today from someone I know to join their group in Tignes, but on speaking to Crystal the worst case scenario I'll have to pay only 60 quid less than it would cost for two people to go on the same trip!!! So they're waiting to get a response off the hotel, I would expect to pay a supplement but not for the holuday twice!!
admin, The bash is def the front runner at the moment.
Dubaian, I know what you mean about the chalets, I've been on a couple where's been solo travellers.
Whitters, What sort of cost was the W academy? I can't see even an illustration on their website.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bene, last year it was £399 for the tuition.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Bene, I know Ennerdale - well, I know Ennerdale Forest and I know Ennerdale Bridge. I recommend the 'bash'. if you want a chat, send me a PM (personal message)
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FAQ
Sorry Birthday Bash only has places left for girls, so unless you're up for a quick gender change ....... If last year is any to go by there will be a few drop out. 
