 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
Looking to 2022, I'm searching for a company that specialise in grouping solo skiiers together. My friends don't ski but I'm happy to join in and stay with a group who do.
I've seen companies that offer accomodation, meals etc. and the guests spend most of their time together. They differ in terms of focus e.g. yoga focused, party focused etc.
Does anybody have any recommendations? My main criteria is that accomodation together is included.
I am 26 - if companies have age restrictions.
Thank you! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to snowheads.
I'm sure other Snowheads will say a snowhead BASH.
Ive not been on a BASH (want to but have not got around to it)
Hofnar in Morzine is one company you might want to look at. (ive never used them).
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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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| @247snowman wrote: |
| I'm sure other Snowheads will say a snowhead BASH. |
A Snowheads Bash. Since going on my first Bash in 2016 pretty much every ski trip I've done has either been a Bash or included people I've met through snowheads.
Usually very affordable, relaxed and gives you anywhere between 30 and 200 other potential skiing buddies (depending on the Bash, some are smaller than others). They aren't really what I'd call an 'organised' trip, it's more that a mate (admin) sorts out accommodation, lift passes and some other stuff, and you sort out getting there (although for the likes of the EoSB there is a coach, so you just get to GVA)
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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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| @247snowman wrote: |
Ive not been on a BASH (want to but have not got around to it)
Hofnar in Morzine is one company you might want to look at. (ive never used them). |
I've done both and would recommend both.
Bashes
+ You'll get to meet people you only know from the forums in the flesh (for better or worse).
+ While there are some cliques who go to just see and ski with one-another they are the in no way the majority and most 'groups' . Generally if you stand on your own outside the hotel in the morning in ski gear you'll only be there a minute of 2 before someone says "Are you a snowhead? Do you have someone to ski with? Do you want to ski with us?".
+ Different bashes are based in different resorts/countries so you get variety.
~ Tend to be very big. On the one hand lots of friends to make/easy to find proper, safe off piste, etc groups but on the other can be intimidating initially.
- There are only a couple of bashes every year and they don't always match with when you want/can go skiing.
Hofnar
+ Runs the whole season so you can go whenever suits you.
+ Most weeks everyone else in the chalet will be in the same boat, so easy to make friends.
+ Very much a 'solo', not 'single' mentality (i.e. people like you there to ski, not exchange STIs).
~ Probably more drinking than a bash, though only ever consensually - if you'd rather stay in and read a book when everyone else is going out you'll just get "You sure? Cool, see you at breakfast then.".
- Almost all trips are to Morzine/Portes du Soleil, which is a great location and ski area but after multiple trips can get a bit "Been there, done that.".
(Though that also means it's just a flight to Geneva and a 60min/€65 rtn minibus transfer away).
I've also used Redpoint/Friendship Travel - fine but a bit more of a 'singles' than 'solo' vibe.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Cajuntea, ucpa.com; ucpa.co.uk Meet folks your age from all around Europe.
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| Mjit wrote: |
~ Tend to be very big. On the one hand lots of friends to make/easy to find proper, safe off piste, etc groups but on the other can be intimidating initially.
- There are only a couple of bashes every year and they don't always match with when you want/can go skiing.
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Different bashes have different vibes, the EoSB the other year had about 200, but I think preBB last year was around 50. Obviously there ends up being certain groups who ski together, but pretty much everyone is happy for people to join them, it's just a case of asking (or often, being invited). Bashes like the preBB are good for that because you end up talking on the coach and in the bar/restaurant each evening so easy to get to know people. My first Bash was the MYAsH Bash and I think there were only about 30 people, most of whom I skied with during the week and definitely had chats with in the bar.
I also wouldn't say 'a couple', from memory there is usually:
Pre Season
Pre Birthday
Birthday
GnarBug
Spring off piste (not for everyone that one)
End of Season
On many years you can also throw in a pre or post Pre Season bash and generally a Family/pre-EoSB Bash. So quite often 8 bashes in a season, and there used to be the Livigno bash too, until the hotel made it a bit too expensive to be sustainable.
But they definitely aren't for everyone, it can feel a bit daunting because so many people seem to know each other and it's definitely not a package type organised trip. The real benefit for me is if I now want to do a trip of my own, I have a list of friends I can message to see if they want to join, so I'm no longer a solo skier....the MYAsH was also a success because I managed, very slowly, to make my dad a snowhead  
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I’ve been with Solos and always had a good time but the groups might be a bit old for you - they will tell you you when/if you enquire-the age/sex distribution of people who have booked. Having said that the groups tend to split on skiing ability rather than age and then come together for drinks and meals.
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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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I've done both the UCPA and Snowheads bashes. Both great, each different. Do some reading and take your pick, you can't really go wrong.
For the UCPA UK travellers book through Action Outdoors.
https://www.action-outdoors.co.uk/
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@Cajuntea, welcome to snowHeads
How would you describe your skiing level?
What sort(s) of things do you like to do/avoid to make an enjoyable day skiing for you?
What do you like to do when not skiing?
What time(s) of the season are you thinking of going?
Do you enjoy mixing with a wide range of people of different ages, or prefer a particular age range?
Do you prefer food included or self catering?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thank you everyone! I'll have a look at the suggestions 
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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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Have a look at yseski. They only have chalets in val d'Isere but Chalet Chardons has 10 single rooms. With no single supplement. I have been with them several times and always found plenty of people to ski with
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You know it makes sense.
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@Cajuntea, those responses give a much better idea of what would suit you I think.
I forgot to ask about budget and don’t think you’ve mentioned that. To most people, budget, or at least feeling you’re getting reasonable value, is a factor.
I think your skiing preferences could certainly be met by some snowHeads bashes. The intermediate, chill cruising, 5 hours a day action with a long lunch would be met perfectly by the Birthday Bash (BB) in Arabba, early Feb, I think. Hot tub, small pool, sauna, steam room etc all included, when allowed to operate of course. Half board included and a very good standard IMO. Bar on site, can get lively.
You buy your own lunch but prices are very reasonable and quality very high, by alpine standards. I’d call this a medium price range trip but very good value.
Other Bashes might suit too, including the End of Season Bash, April in Val Thorens. Self catering in centrally located high quality apartments.
The Pre BB Warm up Week possibly, though much smaller number of people than the two mentioned above. Alleghe, half board, Dolomites, late Jan, exceptional value.
If your budget is much higher, then the suggestion of YSE with single rooms in Val D’Isere could be a good one. Well run established company, catered, but about 40-50% more expensive than snowHeads BB. The area can be quite challenging skiing wise and incidental costs, like lunch, are very high. It’s a world class resort. Lively but expensive apres and nightlife.
Others have mentioned UCPA and that’s a good lower cost option, probably compromising comfort, but good value, from what I’m told. Choice of village/area is important, to suit your intermediate preference. A good option if hanging out with people in their twenties is important to you.
Happy planning
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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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| PeakyB wrote: |
| The intermediate, chill cruising, 5 hours a day action with a long lunch would be met perfectly by the Birthday Bash (BB) in Arabba, early Feb, I think. Hot tub, small pool, sauna, steam room etc all included, |
Good shout but unfortunately, there isn't a hot tub at the hotel. Believe me, if there was, I'd have been in it!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@maggi,  probably shouldn’t have mentioned the male only hot tub. I’ll be in the naughty corner.....again.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@maggi,
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unfortunately, there isn't a hot tub at the hotel
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Yes, of course, you're right, not at the Arabba Bash. Think I had a senior moment, an image of the hot tub in the Oxalys (EoSB place) sprang into my head!
Fair to say the wellness facilities in the Portavescovo are very good. The small pool probably gets more use soaking away aches and pains than swimming; especially the bit by the powerful water inlet jets.
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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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The Bashes are a great opportunity to ski with fellow skiers/boarders at a reasonable cost. Mix of resorts/accomodations/budget. Big mix of people although i have met some really good friends on them....
I met a group of guys on a preBB several years ago and have been on a yearly trip with that same nucleus every year since (except this). We have added various folk we have met on other trips since. Indeed there is only two of us left now but still a group of a dozen enough to book out a chalet. Usually half a dozen to book an instructor for off-piste.
If you just want good accomodation and a group to ski with try ClubMed.
Personally I am quite happy to book a single room with likes of Crystal to St Anton or Tignes and book onto an off-piste week with likes of Snoworks, or even ESF in France, and enjoy my own company after a post ski drink. This would be for my third or fourth week though.
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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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| Quote: |
The area can be quite challenging skiing wise
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I wouldn't be put off the Espace Killy - there is plenty of skiing for everybody, though in Val d'Isere you might sometimes decide (as I do.....) to download in a gondola rather than battle the hordes (some of whom aren't as good as they think they are....) to ski down in tricky and crowded conditions at the end of the day. It's true that it's expensive, though one advantage of being a solo skier is that you only have to buy one lunch!
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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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The Bashes equipped with jacuzzis are: The PSB, PreBBWUW, GnarliBuG and The EoSB.
The Birthday Bash has no jacuzzi but does have a pool and some saunas.
| SnoodlesMcFlude wrote: |
| They aren't really what I'd call an 'organised' trip |
Well true they're not organised in an in your face sort of way, but I think you know there's a lot goes on to make sure they work properly.
The thing is, I always found it perplexing when a tour-op rep butted in over our dinner conversation, introducing themselves with, "I don't want to disturb your dinner folks"
"And yet here you are doing that  "
The main pitch would be something like selling places on a bar crawl
"And what about me makes you think I couldn't find a bar should I want one?"
The last thing I want to be doing is wasting good bash-time trying to up-sell you stuff you don't want, and which, if you did, you'd be quite capable of sorting out for yourself.
The logic behind snowHeads bashes is that there should be enough people and a strong enough structure, that you can always find someone suitable to ski with, lunch with, chill with, drink with etc. while at the same time being loose enough that, should you feel like slipping off for a solo day of 'me time', there's not a bunch of people asking where you've gone and thinking you're being unsociable.
Opportunity to socialise & the freedom not to.
| SnoodlesMcFlude wrote: |
| it can feel a bit daunting |
...and so it should - something brilliant is about to happen 
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| because so many people seem to know each other |
And of course many do yet many of those people just met for the first time, on the way, in the airport, on the bus etc. I've had hotel receptionists thinking 'all these snowHeads knows each other' when we've turned up with >40% noobies.
OK, I don't tag you up with name badges and introduce you, on arrival, to you alloted ski-buddy for the week, but U know this all doesn't just happen by accident right?
| hawkesbaynz wrote: |
| Big mix of people although i have met some really good friends on them.... |
| SnoodlesMcFlude wrote: |
| I have a list of friends I can message to see if they want to join, so I'm no longer a solo skier. |
It's comments like these that are, to me, the marks of success of the bashes. The point of the bashes is to enable snowHeads to find people they need, so if they're working, you should never be short of a ski buddy again...
And those who have ended up life-long friends or, erm married... well that's a bonus isn't it? 
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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 wrote: |
| SnoodlesMcFlude wrote: |
| They aren't really what I'd call an 'organised' trip |
Well true they're not organised in an in your face sort of way, but I think you know there's a lot goes on to make sure they work properly. |
Yeah sorry, probably did you a bit of a disservice there Didn't mean to undersell it, was meaning more that there isn't a "go here/go there/entertainment starts at 8pm" kind of organisation.
| admin wrote: |
| Quote: |
| because so many people seem to know each other |
And of course many do yet many of those people just met for the first time, on the way, in the airport, on the bus etc. I've had hotel receptionists thinking 'all these snowHeads knows each other' when we've turned up with >40% noobies. |
Indeed, and the people that know each other only know each other because they once turned up knowing pretty much no one.
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They are? You live and learn.
I can confirm every Bash I've been on has come with fully equipped bar though...
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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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Not so fully equipped after the Bash though...in fact I seem to remember being told that one PSB the bar was dry before the end of the first night. Think Graham had warned them but they thought he was exaggerating
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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They also ran out of beer by Wednesday the following year but had realised and " Don't worry, eet izz already coming oop zee mountain"
(Fancy spell check going haywire like that )
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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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One of the funniest ones was when they were holding off serving dinner because they thought we weren't ready.
"Sorry, why do you think we're not ready?"
"Zay steel stand at ze bar"
"Ah, no, cultural difference... The french take aperitifs at the bar and sit down when they're ready to eat. The British stay in the bar until someone/something tells them their dinner's ready. BRING THE FOOD OUT NOW before they're too pissed to eat!"
Oh dear, I'm not doing very well at dispelling the pissHeads myth am I? 
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FAQ
