 Poster: A snowHead
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Just covering all my basis here.
Has anyone any experiences on embarking ona a weeks sking on their own?
If the trip Im supposed to be going on falls through I may end up having to go
on my own  .
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Renry, Yes I went off to Zermatt on my own last January. It ended up being a good trip. I had lessons on 4 morning and skied with some of the others in the group in the afternoons. On the other 2 days I skied with the Ski Club Reps group. I also joined the Ski Club social hour (which often stretched to 2 or 3) and sometimes had dinner with some of the others there. A good and fairly hectic week.
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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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I also go by myself every season. I've never managed to persuade any of my mates that they'd enjoy skiing (poor misguided fools), plus they are all either married, sprogged up or both...
The downside is the room supplements (ouch!). The upside is much the same as living alone, you get to do what you want when you want...
For simplicity's sake I travel with a tour op (car hire or transfers for one person do not make financial sense), and they usually offer guided skiing days so you can ski with other people and evening entertainments to get you out of your hotel room. Also you get chatting to other people in your accommodation. Let's face it, you are never going to meet dull people skiing!
I'm lucky enough this season to be going alone to Courmayeur but meeting up with people I skied with in Kitz last season. That's the best of both world in my book...
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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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Renry, I've been on a number of trips on my own, normally as a second trip in the year, and all have been very successful. In the main I've been with TO's that do ski guiding and have as a result had some great trips and skied with some great folks. An excellent way of meeting people and having a great time. Another advantage is that you're probably skiing with people better than yourself and end up getting pushed along quite a bit! Go for it.
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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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I too go skiing "on my own" a lot because I got fed up of tryiing to please everyone in a mixed skiing ability group.
The main issue going on your own is trying to avoid huge single supplements. For this reason and although not the cheapest I go with Mark Warner because I can book as a single willing to share with someone I don't know. Unfortunately they haven't given me a share with a nice single woman yet. I have in the last few years organised sharing a room with room mates I met on earlier holidays, even if I don't ski with them we can discover the apres ski together. MW do ski hosting so you'll have others to ski with.
This forum is a way of finding others who want to find like minded souls to go skiing with. I find chalet holidays a great way to find others to ski with, I wouldn't go to a hotel or self catering on my own.
When you go on a skiing holiday as a single you need to make more of an effort to socialise, the main thing is to smile. A bad day skiing is better than any day in the dismal British weather listening to the depressing economic news.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Renry, I found that a great way to use a lone skiing week was to go on a course. One of the outfits like Snoworks, or Inspired to Ski, or Warren Smith. It's a great opportunity to have the sort of intensive-improvement week which isn't really possible if you're on a social trip with mates or family.
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Take a tent, and go to Glencoe. No single supplements to pay... and a nice pub nearby. (OK, it's 18 years since I did this on a school trip; we were walking and surrounded by skiers.) Don't know whether people still do this?
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Renry, I always go by myself, since my wife has no interest whatsoever in skiing.
I usually go with a TO who does some ski hosting, so I can find a few others to ski with at least part of the time - and it often ends up being quite a lot of the time.
Or you could try meeting up with others from here. There will often be people going to the same resort at the same time.
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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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Been on a few ski holidays alone, but most have been to a private catered chalet. There's always been others there doing the same, or have managed to ski a day or so with the chalet girl etc.
Good thing about here  is that there's a pretty good chance that if you are going somewhere popular alone then either someone else will be there too, or would be interested in tagging along.
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I take several trips a year, mostly solo, sometimes with the kids at school holidays or with buddies. I have given up trying to synchronise with buddies wishes, budgets, timing and indecisiveness. I do prefer skiing, eating, drinking etc with company. I have no qualms about going alone as one of the joys is meeting new people. I have not used solo specific packages. I both use a T.O. and DIY trips. Choice is limited by single occupancy but is available + you can take advantage of any sprcial offer or late deal as you can snap it up without having to wait for concensus of others. Chalets ensure you have company at meal times. Apart from small chalets occupied by a family or lovebirds I usual find someone who appreciates company skiing. I have some great times where all the chalet of strangers skied & apres together. Some T.O.' offer guiding which usually get you involved with groups. I took group lessons when learning & it was great fun but now I am no so keen on stop start stop skiing. I hope to join a bash this coming season & am thinking about doing a course the following season. If you are still reticent about going alone you are welcome to join me (send PM) - I am prety much sorted for the season with trips to Wengen, Galtur, Courchevel, Jasper, Breckenridge etc but there are spare beds and plane seats.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Had two trips like this myself. First one in the Moris in VdI with Marc Warner. Was very nervous and thought I'd be billy-no-mates all week. Couldn't have been farther from the truth. Despite the fact that the place was basically full of 2 larg groups who do the same week each year and have been doing this for about 10 years, they were almost fighting to have me sit with them for the evening meal and I skiied with both. I'm sure it was nothing to do with who I am, more that they were just really nice folks. Great people, especially Stephan and Victor (if they're reading this, cheers, lads).
Second time again in VdI in a small chalet and again no problem. Skied with the others in the chalet and got along great. Again really nice people (forgotten their names)
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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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A couple of years ago decided to get back into skiing after a few years out with kids growing up
Had nobody else I could convince to join me so posted on the Neilson Solo ski forum
Within a couple of days had linked up with a couple of other in a similar situation and had a great week in 2alpes
Met up with same people last year and again in 2 weeks
Great way to make new friends 
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To anyone who is nervous about travelling alone, I say go for it! You'll always know where you are with your own company and there are always plenty of other people about for you to ski/socialise with if you want. I realise the world is geared towards happy couples/families but not everyone finds themselves in this position and it doesn't mean we can't have lives too...
Personally I've always avoided 'solos' type holidays as they appear to me to be focussed on getting single people to get coupled off! Not everyone on holiday by themselves is single and not every single person is looking for lurve. I also avoid the sort of thing that puts complete strangers sharing a room together, but that's just me, I like my own space, it just means spending a lot more...
Anyway hopefully this thread gives you lots of positive vibes for going it alone...
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You know it makes sense.
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Or you could go on a Ski Club of GB holiday who will put you to share a room if you wish. These holidays are mostly for people of a particular standard wanting a particular type or mix of skiing - so it is important to estimate your standard correctly (look at the definitions under "my standard"). If you go they will tell you your standard, to help if you go on another.
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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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I went on my own last season - did a snoworks course. Felt like a Billy no mates on the first night I arrived there as I didn't know anyone and sat on my own at the table for dinner. After the intro night when it was clear who was doing the course things got better and then once we started the skiing it was great. I met some brilliant people on the course and would love to ski with all of them again! I'd say, it's worth going on your own but it is a little hard if you want to socialise because you'll probably need to make the first move. But if you meet a bunch like I did, then it'll be a worthwhile experience.
Doing a course is a good way of pretty much guaranteeing you'll be with the same people all week. I'm still in touch with the people I met last season and as I say, would hope to ski with them again sometime.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Get thi' sen down t' Moris with mark Warner. Plenty of single rooms or can share.The only way to remain a "Billy" is to have a severe personality disorder. And I do mean SEVERE, lesser disorders are catered for. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Being able to appreciate the occasional libation will certainly help in the Moris
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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 ground's been pretty well covered by others. After a dozen or so solo trips I've found that I can generally go significantly cheaper by organising the whole thing myself, rather than through TO's. If you're willing to wait until seriously last minute then I've found the chalet companies generally more willing than the big TO's to drop the single supplement & make some good offers.
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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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Just do it, get something booked. You will always find someone to ski with. Only downside is the dreaded 'single supplement', but if you push some of the tour operators you can get some good deals.
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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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I've done a few trips on my own and really enjoyed them. I agree with Johnnyh too, I did a McNab course once and pretty much everyone was booked individually. Think its easier to meet people when you're in a chalet as you all end up eating together. Small chalet companies will quite often waive the single person supplement if they've got a spare room to fill, it's always worth an ask. Go for 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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Renry, it helps if you're halfway competant and speak a bit of the local lingo...
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I've done solo a few times and love it
Usually I will go to Austria and stay in a pension that has single rooms for little or no extra than 1/2 the cost of a twin room, and often will meet people on lifts, ski a couple of runs with them then wander off again.
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Similarly to a few other mentions here , in the last few years I've done about a dozen trips with the SCGB, and 6 with Snoworks. If you don't want to pay single supplement they'll organise a share (that's actually the norm rather than the exception), and you have plenty to ski with during the day and socialise with in the evening (although you're normally so knackered that after a good meal you just collapse in the bar). I've also done a couple of genuine solo DIY trips. One long weekend to Chamonix I skied with the SCGB rep for a couple of days, but as I was staying in a cheap hotel a way from any of the others it was a bit lonely in the evenings. The other one was a week in Breckenridge. Stayed in a bunkhouse which was great for the evenings, but everyone did pretty much their own thing for skiing so I spent quite a bit of time skiing by myself (although I did also sign up for a few days group lessons). Solo DIY you do have to work a bit harder to avoid being too solitary.
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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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As a 'late starter' in the skiing game at 30, I have done a fair few weeks on my own to play 'catch up' on technique to get to the point where I can now keep up with friends who have skied since school days - and enjoyed every single one of them. When going with TOs, I've always managed to book good value last minute late season deals with affordable supplements to snow sure places like Val Thorens and have benfitted from the TO ski guiding or booked a couple of mixed group lessons locally and skied with other group members on other days. Its a great way to meet people and have enjoyed further trips with new skibuddies I've met along the way. I've done the share with strangers 'course' hols too with UCPA and have had similarly good times. If you go for a smaller chalet deal it is highly unlikely you're ever going to run out of dinner conversation after a great day on the white stuff and you might make some good friends over the week. Good luck
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A few years ago I missed my usual trip with friends due to timing. Another colleague was in a large group in a chalet which was full, but I went alone and stayed in a hotel in the same place. I had the best time ever. I met up with 4 guys in similar situation (all left wifes or GF's at home) and they took me under their wing. I skied in a group that included my orig friends, but their chalet meal went on for ever so ended up bing out with my new friends in the evenings mostly. The place you choose to go will make a big difference. I was in what I would describe as one of the best "party" towns I have ever been to... Kitzbuhel. You are never alone in Kitz!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
transfers for one person do not make financial sense
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Not so, from Geneva to the Morzine, Les Gets, Valley D'aulps resorts there is a shared transfer system. Airport to door for about €40 at sensible time of day.
And a 1.5 hour transfer or less.
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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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DallyPaul, that's what makes Switzerland and Austria so attractive - most resorts have good public transport links to the airports.
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You know it makes sense.
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Yes, I went skiing on my own last year.
I booked a chalet, sorted a ferry and got on with it. Driving over was part of the fun TBH.
There was another chap on his own in the chalet and I did some skiing with him.
I also went out with a guided group twice, but found them too slow LOL.
I was overcome by an urge to ski as much as possible, to try every piste and every lift, and to go as fast and hard as I could.
Without any stragglers etc I just focussed on skiing as much as possible. I bloody loved it.
I'm planning on doing at least another week on my own this year. It's so hassle free.
The only let down was that I was hoping that the other chalet guests might be a bit more fun. They were nice enough, but very much only really interested in their cosy little group.
http://pistepals.com/forum/index.php
http://www.skiline.co.uk/SkiBuddy.asp
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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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| snowball wrote: |
| Or you could go on a Ski Club of GB holiday who will put you to share a room if you wish. These holidays are mostly for people of a particular standard wanting a particular type or mix of skiing - so it is important to estimate your standard correctly (look at the definitions under "my standard"). If you go they will tell you your standard, to help if you go on another. |
Where's the "my standard" link?
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Poster: A snowHead
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tomstickland, click 'ski club holidays' and it will tell you how to book a Ski Freshtracks holiday (for which you have to be a Ski Club member) including how to determine your standard (Step 1).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Aha, found it. My self evaluation is on the money - I call myself a competent intermediate and I'm somewhere between their description of intermediate and advanced intermediate, which is nice to know.
Their solo ski holidays look like fun, but quite expensive.
TBH after a week unleashed, I think I enjoy skiing on my own too much. It's a bit like driving a decent country road on your own, you can just get on with it.
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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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Thanks for those links, wasn't aware of either of those sites - I'm still on the lookput for one or two more singles to fill a chalet on this trip and these may be another recruitment avenue !
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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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We have a chalet and if we get requests from single skiers we try to find them a 'buddy' to room share with to save on the single supplements, we've also done a few weeks of single skiers which work really well as everyone tends to find someone to ski with if they don't fancy the ski guiding. A lot of the groups have kept in contact and skied togthether again.
I think quite a few independent chalets do this so it might be worth emailing a few to see if they can help you out.
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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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| masmith wrote: |
Thanks for those links, wasn't aware of either of those sites - I'm still on the lookput for one or two more singles to fill a chalet on this trip and these may be another recruitment avenue ! |
The first of those two is run by a - queen bodecia
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| tomstickland wrote: |
Their solo ski holidays look like fun, but quite expensive.
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You have to remember that ski Club of GB holidays mostly include guides or instructors who will be charging a minimum of €300 per day (some charge over €400 and SCGB try to go for the best.
Not sure why you say "solo holidays". Their solo holidays cost the same as non solo as long as you are happy to share a room - which most people do and I've never found a problem.
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To keep myself occupied while between contracts and before the season starts properly I have put together a little application on the Google App Engine that automates finding fellow skiers/boarders who are in the same resort at the same time.
The alpha version is on http://wozza.appspot.com
As a solo skier I am often looking for someone of similar ability to ski with and I felt that this might help.
In short, users login with their Google credentials; they fill in a form with their plans and when and which resort they will be in. The gadget then finds those who overlap their stay and gives the option to send to each of them a template email saying they will be there and they are welcome to get in touch by return.
Its gonna take a while before this becomes the first port-of-call but its a start!
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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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FAQ
