 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello,
First time posting here although I've been lurking and looking at old posts for a few days - you all seem like a very nice group of people. It's also my first time organising a ski trip on my own (actually this is my first holiday on my own) which is why I came accross this site and I'm looking for some advice. I was a little apprehensive at first, but after failing to try and convince some of my friends to come on a skiing trip and not wanting to miss out on skiing this season, I booked a flight and hotel in Zermatt from the 7th to the 14th of April. I also booked an advanced group ski class for 3 mornings of my stay. Any other tips you can share with me to make this solo trip no so solo? I'm happy to ski alone, it's more the apres-ski and dining alone which I fear. Also, any tips for Zermatt, bars, etc?
Thanks in advance,
Alex
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 23-03-08 20:35; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ukalex, Welcome to Snowheads. I had my first ski holiday alone last year and I was very aprehensive at first, however I found that the others in my ski group looked kindly on me and I ended up having a great week with not much time spent on my own. Hope that you have a great time and let us know how you got on.
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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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ukalex, I've done two trips on my own now when I couldn't find other people to go with me to the place I wanted and on the dates I wanted. Both times I had a brilliant time. In each hotel/chalet I stayed in I was put on a table with other people, who have always turned out to be great and have ended up going out with them in the evening. Both times I have also gone to ski school all week, although I could have skiied with people in my chalet on the last trip. I'm sure you will meet people in your hotel and ski class. Also, if you are a member of or join the Ski Club of Great Britain then they will probably have a rep there who will be doing guiding. I've not tried guiding yet but it could be another way of meeting up with other people. The SCOGB also have a social hour in the evening, where you can meet other people too.
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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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Having solo tripped a couple of times here are a couple of things I've picked up:
- Chalets are good as you all dine together and often socialise post-dinner.
- Find snowHeads who are in resort to meet up with (did this when I stayed in a hotel in Whistler).
- Lessons/courses are good, focused skiing improvement and people to ski/socialise with.
That covers eating, skiing and drinking with others.
Of course, you could always
- Go on a snowHeads Bash! (See EoSB)...
This encompasses all of the other factors into one!
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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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Been on a few ski trips on my own. Best for me was a privately owned/run chalet in Les Gets, where you stand a chance of being there when other like minded solo skiers (or couples etc. with vastly different skiing abilities) are also there for the same reason. Had someone to ski with almost every day for the last few years, despite travelling solo. Apprehensive - yes, but everyone seems to have got on so far.
Then I went on the snowHeads bash, and really can't wait for the next one (well the next one that I can get time off work for).
Very tempted to try out one of those week long 'improve your skiing' classes next season (cos I need to).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the tips and advice. I'm hoping the lessons at the beginning of the trip will get me off to a good start. Too bad id didn't know about EoSB until now, my trip's all booked up and work won't take it so nicely if I ask for more time off... It's quite comforting to read only positive experiences from people who have gone skiing solo. If any snowHead happens to be in Zermatt during the second week in April and fancy meeting up for some runs or a pint, let me know.
The apprehension is actually making me look forward to this ski trip much more than all the other trips I've been on 
Alex
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ukalex, a week or so before your trip, post again under Trips with a title something like "Any snowHeads in Zermatt 7-14 April?", which will get people who are going to be there looking at your post.
Welcome to the forum!
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ukalex
In Zermatt the Ski Club of GB have 2 reps (see www.skiclub.co.uk for more details). Non members can have one day's guiding (numbers permitting) and this is a good way to meet people to ski with. Their social hour is in the Hotel Pollux from 6.30 to 7.30 most evenings.
As I can't go to the EOSB I'm looking for a holiday for the week beginning April 5 and Zermatt is one possibility.
What hotel are you staying at?
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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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ukalex,
Why not try to link up and plan your trip with a few others? I don't have an obvious 'skiing other' so I have to sort out a partner(s) somehow.
What I've done over the past few years is to post a message under the 'Trips' forum saying who you are (teen/wrinkly/F/M/Neuter), skiing level, sort of destination (big resort/Austria/cheap, etc.), whether you want to fly/drive/self-cater/chalet/££££s, etc., easy-going/miserable git, and so forth. Give yourselves about 4-6 weeks ahead of intended departure.
It's worked out fine for me every time and I've just come back from a great trip to AdH with two others and we met face-to-face for the first time at Grenoble airport. Got on together extremely well. We researched and booked a chalet, flights from Liverpool and Gatwick, car hire, hotel in Grenoble all in cooperation. Worked a treat.
Just a bit of confidence and a degree of optimism. Most people are very friendly and cooperative. Remember that you are one of many who need A N Other to ski with and if you have arranged the trip with others it's a warm fuzzy glow before you start that you're part of a group.
Good Luck!!! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks for all the advice! I've checked www.skiclub.co.uk and might sign up.
Now all I'm worried about is how to pack since I'm flying from Terminal 5 on Friday..... Was only going to carry my boots as carry on, now I think I'll probably have to carry most of the ski gear on with me... 
rich.ll, I'll be staying at the Alex Hotel www.hotelalexzermatt.com/en/home.html. If you end up going, drop me a line.
Thanks again
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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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ukalex, suggest you fly wearing full ski gear, boots included, & take hand luggage only. And no, I'm really not kidding!
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ukalex.I decided to go to Val D'Isere instead of Zermatt (I like Zermatt but I've already been there once this winter) so I won't be able to meet you.
Enjoy yourself.
PS Most of my ski trips have been solo and that's never been a problem for me so I'm sure you'll have a good time.
PPS Is there a dry ski slope in terminal 5 
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You know it makes sense.
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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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ukalex, the 2-bag thing - did they say that this was a concession to the baggage problems at T5? I ask because I got an e-mail today saying that the 2-bag carry-on had been reinstated (actually, this happened a while ago, but I think the e-mail was because they've just added Gatwick) - 1 briefcase, laptop or handbag plus 1 case with dimensions 56 x 45 x 25 cm. Highly impressed if you can get a week's gear into those dimensions!
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Poster: A snowHead
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vetski, the 2-bag rule is not a T5 concession. The BA web site sais that you can take 2 carry-ons from Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle airports. Total weight of both bags must not exceed 23kg. One can be a bag no bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, in addition, you can take one briefcase or laptop sized bag.
I've packed all my clothes in a small wheele bag, and my 'briefcase' happens to contain a pair of ski boots  ...hopefully they wont give me a hard time about that - specially after Naomi Campbell's stunt
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| ukalex wrote: |
| ...I've packed all my clothes in a small wheele bag, and my 'briefcase' happens to contain a pair of ski boots ...hopefully they wont give me a hard time about that... |
One point about BA... they are the world champions at overbooking flights, and insisting that any luggage that looks too big goes in the hold. Usually they'll force you to hand over one bulky item at the gate and it gets handloaded, so at least it stands a chance of getting to the plane without taking a 3 week trip into the black hole.
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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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just thought id update you on Terminal 5. i managed to take boots in one bag and all my clothes in a wheelie bag - both as carry-on!!! only complaint I have to make was the 1 hour queue to get through security... 2 out of 14 or so security gates were open. I even saw security hand frisk a 5 year old boy travelling with his family! seemed like a waste of time to me...
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