 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi,
I want to go Jan 19, and I'm looking for a good solo skiing holiday organiser.
So far I've only found https://www.theskigathering.com that fits the bill.
They are offering beginners trips to Bansko Bulgaria which seem reasonable.
Does anyone have any comments, recommendations or suggestions about this group or location ?
cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Ars*OverT*t, all TOs are capable of offering solo skiing holidays. You just book a single room or a double/twin and pay a solo occupancy charge.
There are some specialist companies that aim to pair up singles into room/apartment sharing, and I think Neilson offer this also. That never appealed to me so I cannot recommend any. Some are almost 'Tinder on snow' so check carefully.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Cheers fella.
I always thought the solo occupancy charge meant you're basically paying for a double room to sleep there alone ! Doesn't it push up the cost.
A week in Bansko is £260 in a shared triple including meals, which seems like a fair deal.
As for the 'Tinder on snow'. Thanks for the warning, but I can take care of myself as I have some no-holds barred wrestling moves that I can rely on even in the dark. But you never know . . . might be fun. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@Ars*OverT*t, look at www.action-outdoors.co.uk for trips with the French organisation UCPA. There are always lots of singles, English, Aussie, English speaking Swedes and even a few of us Irish!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Tom Doc wrote: |
| @Ars*OverT*t, look at www.action-outdoors.co.uk for trips with the French organisation UCPA. There are always lots of singles, English, Aussie, English speaking Swedes and even a few of us Irish! |
Yeah another +1 for action outdoors, they also run specific 'solo traveler' weeks where they send a rep. But all weeks are suitable for people traveling alone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Just looking now at Action-outdoors. I like the overnight coach deal they offer. This might be a goer.
Cheers for all the advice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You should also look at snowHeads Bashes - that's a great way to ski some brilliant resorts as a solo traveller...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| dp wrote: |
| You should also look at snowHeads Bashes - that's a great way to ski some brilliant resorts as a solo traveller... |
This too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As far as price goes action outdoors ticked all the boxes for me as a single or solo skier. Some excellent offers there, particularly off piste weeks. However, it is age restricted, and aimed mainly at younger ages (although there is more flexibility nowadays that people are living longer)
Try using skyscanner.net to find a flight at the appropriate time. You never know, it might be quite cheap, particularly as you do not need to carry skis/boots/poles. I have found it useful compared to other methods of finding flights at suitable times. Action outdoors provide cheap transfers, so you just need to get a flight which fits in.
Singlesport.com looks like it might be suitable for single or solo skiers who have high disposable income and few holidays. Time poor and money rich.
I have only been solo with a tour operator skiing once, with Nielson to Sauze d'oulx. No single supplement, was very reasonable in cost especially mid February, weather was great all week as was the snow. You have to be flexible with regards to accomodation as a solo. You are likely to be put in attic rooms, with showers which have no power, and next to or above loud disco music until the small hours. This was fine with me, as I was usually out until the small hours in the disco. I did not mind the lack of power in the shower, especially as the price was within my budget.
The snowhead bashes are also good value, and seem to be open to solos as well as welcoming them. Less of ageism with snowheads, which may or may not be a positive depending on your age.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
-
I have been with Snowcoach http://www.snowcoach.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInZLI26G_3AIVirTtCh3tnAO2EAAYASAAEgKwmvD_BwE maybe 10 to 15 times and am very happy to recommend them. Single room supplement is £100, but if you volunteer to share you don't pay this. However, I have opted to share every time I have gone solo and have never had to share. These have not been 1/2 term times though.
The big advantage for solo skiing is that they have communal dinning, and guided skiing, so brilliant for getting to know others. Also apres ski events but these have been variable in quality, although usually have been very good. They are the cheapest operators I have come across and they have their own equipment and staff to fit it, if you want.
For me another plus is the ease of getting there on the coach and the fact that this offers 8 days skiing as opposed to 6 or 7 if flying with other companies. I drive down the M1, Friday afternoon, from the midlands to Watford, park up at the hotel pickup point, get on the bus, ear phones in and sleep, arriving at the resort usually in time for breakfast, traffic permitting, and on the piste by 10 oclock!! Brilliant! They will organise flying or self drive if you want. The only downside for me is that they only do two resorts nowadays. St. Gervais and Valmeinier.
Snowcoach has had a bit of stick but I personally can not fault them. I did not go with them last year so I can not comment on the present state of their hotels, but they have traditionally been a bit thread worn. But Hell! - they are skiing hotels! I go to ski!
I also like the fact that they are able to hire enthusiastic young people to run it all. What they lack in experience, they make up for with enthusiasm.
Just to add finally, I have nothing to do with Snowcoach but I try to give them a plug most years because I don't want them to change the way they do things or go bust before I have to give up skiing. I have not found anybody else who does all the things that they do. -- and for the price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
-
To add to my post above, are you looking for a beginner's trip? If so Valmeinier has a wide expanse of slope outside the hotel that is good to learn on, and like most French resorts, plenty of ski schools. If you are a total beginner, the guided skiing may be a bit much for you, but if there is sufficient demand, Snowcoach sometimes runs a second guided group for those who are not as confident as others. However, in my experience this has only been during the crowded half term week.
It is illegal for the ski guiders to give ski instruction (literally -- they can be arrested for it!) but I have always found Snowcoach guides to be very experienced and capable skiers who know a lot about skiing and i have always felt in safe hands.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tom Doc wrote: |
| dp wrote: |
| You should also look at snowHeads Bashes - that's a great way to ski some brilliant resorts as a solo traveller... |
This too. |
+1. Snowheads bashes are excellent. Do the Pre Birthday Bash (last week in January) followed by the Birthday Bash (first week in Feb). The Dolomites, Italian food, and snowheads for company. What’s not to like?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
-
Just been looking at the ski gathering web site. Looks good, but am I correct in thinking they don't organise travel for you? Snowcoach give you their coach trip for just £100 or so, above the cost of the 3/4 board hotel. I pay an extra £40 car parking at Watford. All stress and organisation taken out of my hands.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Awdbugga wrote: |
| Tom Doc wrote: |
| dp wrote: |
| You should also look at snowHeads Bashes - that's a great way to ski some brilliant resorts as a solo traveller... |
This too. |
+1. Snowheads bashes are excellent. Do the Pre Birthday Bash (last week in January).........What’s not to like? |
+1
Snowheads bashes are great for solo travellers.! If the PreBB week is too early for you, the Make Yourself A snowHead Bash is normally the week before.
See link to last years dates.
[url=] http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=52715 [/url] 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Not done UCPA but heard very good things about the setup and value for money.
I’ve found Snowheads useful, not just for bashes but for the people you meet while on a bash. I did four trips last year, two were bashes and the others were with people I met through Snowheads. The solo skiers section is also pretty neat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
If you can make a bash go for that if not UCPA is brilliant value been 3 times myself always great fun, instruction can be a little variable but is such a cheap addon you don't feel bad if you skip it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I can recommend both SH bashes and HOFNAR.
I went on my first (Birthday) Bash last year and the number of people, and how well they seem to know one-another based on the pre-trip banter can be a little intimidating at first, but it was easy to meet up with a few fellow bashers at the Gatwick, then on the transfer bus. When it came to skiing I'm sure there were some 'closed' groups of friends who just wanted to ski together but most groups seemed happy for new people to join them. In fact if you stood outside the hotel holding your skis on your own for more than 5 minutes someone would ask if you were waiting for someone or wanted to join them for the day.
HOFNAR's quite simple - a chalet full of fellow solo travellers where you're bound to find someone who want the same sort of ski holiday as you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Thanks for all the replies and helpful advice. I liked Action Outdoors but I'm too frickin old. I have booked a week in Jan in Bansko with The Ski Gathering. The reasons are 1. It was a cheap option. 2. It's a 'beginners' week. Whatever that means 3.Apre-ski ( beer ) will be cheap in Bulgaria. 4. Four hours of lessons a day. Yes I will need them.
I might post back on here when I return to let you know my thoughts. 
Good luck in the slopes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Ars*OverT*t wrote: |
| 2. It's a 'beginners' week. Whatever that means |
I've not used The Ski Gathering but generally it will mean most people in the group will have either never skied before, only have a week or two under their belts, or not skied for more years than they care to admit. As a result you generally won't be in a group where everyone is only interested in black runs/of piste/heli-skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Singlesport.com will be in Courchevel on 19 January. All rooms are twins, if you are happy to share we can match you with a sharer but if you want a room to yourself you need to pay an empty bed supplement. We specialise in solo travellers, some guests are single whilst many may have a non skiing partner. If you are flexible on dates there are 8 dates to choose from in various resorts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've used ColdFusion before and always had a great time.
A bit pricey for my budget so I always wince booking it, but they do provide high end accommodation and the food's been great.
I'm keeping an eye on the bashes for this season to try those for the first time.
On Bansko... I organised a trip to Bansko last year with Total Chalets with a few friends. It was literally 1/3rd the price of a trip to the Alps and although there was some minor frustrations with the lift queues and lifts/runs randomly closing for no discernible reason, I couldn't knock it at all for the price. Snow on a hill is Bulgaria is the same as snow on a hill in France, so if value and actually getting ski time in is your priority then I'd consider it. Just get up early to beat the main gondola queue then you're fine. If you're more about the experience... the food, the chalet, the hot tub, etc... then I'd say you might be better elsewhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Got to be first dibs on a snowheads bash?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Good that you have booked but for future reference, if it is a late booking, my conversation with silverski went something like this
"I'm interested in the late catered chalet deal to La Plagne and I'm travelling alone"
"Ok, that's £399 plus single room supplement of £xxx (£100 I think)"
"Sorry, not interested if there's a single supplement"
"Er, ok, my boss says just £399"
The reality is that the TO should be happy to have anyone book with just a few days to go, with a hotel not run / owned by the TO they may be bound by what the hotel charges but with TO run / owned accommodation, it doesn't cost them any more per person if there is single occupancy, at the last minute, it is better to have one person in a double room than none.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Ars*OverT*t, The Ski Gathering used to be called Piste Pals, who I went with to Morzine in April 2016. I rated them, I think there were about 10 of us in a chalet, all single travellers and it worked really well. I've also been on trips with Singlesports, to Cervinia and Kaprun in 2014, and then to Winter Park (Colorado) in 2015. I'm due to travel again with them in March next year to Zillertal in Austria. Again, very good and well organized trips. SnowHeads bashes are also great of course, I've been on 3 of those: Val Thorens (EoSB) 2012, Arabba (Birthday Bash) in 2013 and Tignes (PSB) also 2013. However, the destinations are limited to the same resorts each season and I prefer to go and try a new, different location every year if possible. Hope you enjoy Bansko though, let us know how you get on... I might try that the season after, as it's a country I've not skied before 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Seconding Hofnar- I've been with them three times, booked in twice more for this season. Absolutely outstanding crew. Has quite a young vibe and is somewhat no-frills - although the new chalet this season may change that - it looks quite plush.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Yes, the proprietor is quite nice but for some (most??) of the holidays, she really acts as an "introducer" between you and the TO or chalet company. She isn't a travel agent herself as far as I'm aware so if things go wrong, it can be a bit awkward. Also, beware of going on any of the Skivo trips that she does a few of. Skivo charge a premium price as they include ski tuition. However, their T&Cs state that there is no monetary value to the lessons. So if you end up having a rubbish week because you're an intermediate skier and Skivo have put you in a group that includes a guy who has only skied three days previously but Skivo don't have enough ski instructors for that week, then tough luck. You won't get any compensation from them. So one to avoid!
On the other hand, strongly recommend snowHead bashes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@snow name, I guess you must have skied with Skivo2 and had that experience but from my experience they are excellent and I recommend them for sociability and ski progression at a reasonable price with top BASI instructors you can relate to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Farley Goode, I appreciate that was your experience. I had skied with Skivo before; both trips with Singlesport acting as the "introducer". I had thought Skivo were excellent initially as you do but the second trip was an awful experience for me simply because they didn't have a ski instructor for a separate beginners group. When I complained, Dave Beattie, who runs Skivo, didn't come across as giving a toss and there really isn't anything Singlesport can do as she isn't a travel agent. Hence my warning is that if things go wrong, if there aren't enough instructors for separate groups or anything else, don't expect a positive customer experience.
On the other hand, if I hadn't had such a crap time on the Singlesport/Skivo trip, I wouldn't have been searching for other solo ski holidays and come across snowHeads! All the instructors I've met on snowHeads bashes are absolutely excellent and a fantastic job is done of organising the groups by people who genuinely care that you're having a good time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@snow name, I'm sorry to hear you had that bad experience with Dave.I guess I have always just been lucky. On the bright side, your happiness with the SH bashes is info well spread to encourage others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Can definitely recommend the bashes if you’re looking at future trips.
I’ve booked with Mark Warner for the coming season as they were offering double rooms with no single supplement for January departures at some of their hotels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Singlesport is in Courchevel on 19 January. we specialise in solo skiers & can offer shared rooms to avoid the single supp
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I can't believe no one has mentioned the Ski Club of GB ( Ski Club 1.0 
Even if you don't fancy (or can't afford) going on one of their Fresh Tracks 'singles' holidays, you could always make your own arrangements then ski with the SKGB Leader stationed in your resort.
( assuming you chose a resort they cover ).
https://www.skiclub.co.uk/
Declaration of interest:
I'm a Ski Club Leader and I am leading two singles holidays this season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I am sorry to hear that a beginner was not happy on one of our Skivo trips . Everyone is offered tuition with BASI instructors and beginners usually get a better staff pupil ratio. Singlesport offers a personal service which means you can ask before you book how many people are in your ability group, age group or from your area of the country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| skigirl21 wrote: |
| I am sorry to hear that a beginner was not happy on one of our Skivo trips . Everyone is offered tuition with BASI instructors and beginners usually get a better staff pupil ratio. Singlesport offers a personal service which means you can ask before you book how many people are in your ability group, age group or from your area of the country. |
@skigirl21, as I had previously been been on a Skivo trip, I had been told by the ski instructor I was definitely an intermediate level skier. Hence I was very disappointed on the next trip I went on with you when they lumped beginners in with intermediate skiers as Skivo didn't bother to ensure they had any instructors available to teach beginners that particular week. The way my complaint was handled was extremely disappointing and just goes to show a lack of customer focus by Dave Beattie. The fact is, anyone who goes on a Skivo trip can face the same issue at any time and thanks to the Skivo T&Cs, which state the instruction has no monetary value, unhappy customers cannot get any of their money back.
Unfortunately, Singlesport can't do anything about that, presumably because it isn't a travel agent and only acts as an "introducer".
Since then, I've now skied seven weeks with snowHeads so can firmly recommend the Bashes. The only problem with Bashes is that they can be quite addictive!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| skigirl21 wrote: |
| I am sorry to hear that a beginner was not happy on one of our Skivo trips . Everyone is offered tuition with BASI instructors and beginners usually get a better staff pupil ratio. Singlesport offers a personal service which means you can ask before you book how many people are in your ability group, age group or from your area of the country. |
How about actually answering the complaint directly rather than just advertising?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
How about actually answering the complaint directly rather than just advertising? |
Oh heavens, no! skigirl21's response to my complaint at the time was to call me and spend nearly 45 minutes trying to persuade to go back on another Skivo week with her!!! I'd rather pour lemon juice on paper cuts than go through that again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
