 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi folks;
For the past few seasons I went skiing with my (no ex) fiance, and I am starting to get itchy fingers on the keybaord wanting to get something sorted for myself for the coming season, I have found a few companies that calim to specialise in getting groups of solo skiers together to enjoy a week of skiing. But I am concerned as to wether there will actually be any extra effort put in to these trips or wether it will just be a load of people bunged in a Chalet and left to get on with it.
I am a confident skiier and can manage most runs, I know skiing on my own isn't a clever thing to do, and I also want the companionship of likeminded people for lunches and evenings.
Has anyone "done" the solo thing, any advice, any pitfalls?
or are there other single  that would be interested in maybe meeting up for drinks/meal and seeing if we fancy booking something together?
(I am fairly sure this is a question that gets asked on a yearly basis!!)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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| sherlock235 wrote: |
| Standee, why don't you come along to a bash? the details are being finalised, but there'll be one in early feb, and of course there's the notorious esob which will be taking place at the end of april! |
I'm considering it, but I want to do something sooner as well, any ideas when the final details of the Feb jaunt will be available?
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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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Standee, i can't confirm, but i'm hoping it will be finalised soon. the dates are 5-12th feb though, if you need to book the time off. see here, about halfway down the page for details provided by admin.
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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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Standee, I don't see any problems at all with going skiing by oneself and I have done it many times. If you go with a TO, you can join their ski guiding days or just get chatting to other people in your hotel to ski with if you really aren't keen on the idea of skiing alone. I have a group of ski buddies now who I met in this way and we now arrange to ski the same resort/week but I'm still a confirmed solo traveller. Just 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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Italt, oh dear, the one place I wont go skiing, or maybe I am being too negative, but I have never heard a good word about the Dolomites in comparison to the Alps.
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Standee, the Dolomites are fabulous and technically still part of the mountain chain of the Alps. If you've 'never heard a good word', I suggest you have been listening to the wrong people. There's a wealth of information here, have a hunt round the resort threads.
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| queen bodecia wrote: |
| Standee, the Dolomites are fabulous and technically still part of the mountain chain of the Alps. If you've 'never heard a good word', I suggest you have been listening to the wrong people. There's a wealth of information here, have a hunt round the resort threads. |
Quite possibly true!
I really like the PdS, I like to able to ski on long runs and not spend my life on lifts, I'll research the Arabba resort and see what I can find out.
Maybe I should do a long weekend early season as a recon' mission!!!!
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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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| Standee wrote: |
| Italt, oh dear, the one place I wont go skiing, or maybe I am being too negative, but I have never heard a good word about the Dolomites in comparison to the Alps. |
Standee, that's interesting! 
The first birthday bash we did numbered 19 people, 18 of which returned the following year. The 19th just told me on Saturday that he was definitely coming this year. So clearly something's right about the place.
I could launch into enthusiastic ramblings about why I liked the area but mainly I'd be really interested to understand, in better detail, your negative perception of the Dolomites?
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 11-10-10 14:15; edited 1 time in total
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Why are you posting here when Admin has seen fit to make a special forum for just what you want, see here, Solo Skiers v Groups - Organising Trips
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Good point Dypcdiver: topic moved 
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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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| admin wrote: |
| Good point Dypcdiver: topic moved |
Apologies, I hadn't noticed.
nice 'tude from the person before you!
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You know it makes sense.
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Aww blytht, you're too kind 
I like a bit of Aprés although personally, I try not to let it get in the way of time on the slopes! If there's a decent party going on though, I find it hard to leave before the end 
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I really like the PdS, I like to able to ski on long runs and not spend my life on lifts, I'll research the Arabba resort and see what I can find out.
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There are loads of long runs around the Sella Ronda. In fact the highest peak in the area, the Marmolada, is just behind Arabba. From the top (3250m), there's a red run of about 7k and the word that people tend to use for it is 'relentless' as it is consistently 'red' all the way down. At the bottom is a rather nice little mountain refuge if you need a break or alternatively keep on heading down the blue runs through the trees that take you back to the cable car - which, in 3 stages, gives you an incredible 1800m lift!
Considering the area as a whole, there is the occasional lift that isn't too generous with the altitude but that's like anywhere that different ski domains have been connected together (eg. PdS), there will always be a few 'bridging' lifts between them. As you get to know the area, you learn the routes that suit you best of course.
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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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Standee, one thing I did, when my OH was hors de combat with a knee injury for a year, was take a concentrated ski course, which was 3 hours per morning, and evening video feedback before dinner. People from the various groups skied together in the afternoons. That worked very well for me. I shared a room, to save dosh (my roomie was an instructor, as were a number of the people in the top groups). There are a number of organisations doing courses - this is the one I went with http://www.inspiredtoski.com/
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Poster: A snowHead
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Standee, I Just thought you might get better response from here 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Have done the "solo" thing before. Firstly staying in a chalet in PdS (was fortunate to get along with other chalet guests, and often ended up skiing with some of them). Have also done a few SH bashes (Wengen once, Sella Ronda twice).
The chalet thing was pure luck as to who else would be there, but I guess I was lucky. The bashes are guaranteed to be largely individuals, with a few couples, with the bonus that you might "know" the online persona of some people beforehand, and in a group of 18-20 (or more) you'll almost definitely get on with someone.
As for Dolomites/SellaRonda vs PdS (since they've both been mentioned) - I've done both more than once, and done both full circuits at least 3 times each. I can't wait to go back to both, but would put the Dollies first for a proper ski week, and PdS first for a quick weekend getaway (from UK - since it's so easy to get to). Not sure where the negative comments for the Dolomites came from?
I'm just awaiting buttons for the Arabba Bash...
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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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Right, looks like I am sorted for Feb then, should I mention buttons now, it seems to be the done thing!
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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 do about half my ski trips solo. I prefer to stay in a chalet as you at least have some company in the evening and more often than not make new friends and find someone to ski with. I prefer to ski with others and essential for safety if going off-piste. I have had two solo trips to the Sella Ronda, skied with the T.O. ski 'guides' on a few days and circled the rock a few times on my own when you can crack on. The scenery is stunning in the dolomites but over crowded. I have stayed in Val Gardena and Canezi and did not care for the amount of road traffic and fumes. I think I would opt to stay in Arabba or Covara next time. Go solo rather than stay at home it usually works out great better than trying to arrange a group trip and recociling
conflicting disires. Or..you are welcome to join me/us if are in the least bit sociable/civilised, I ski thoughout the winter season.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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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 been going skiing on "my own" for many years, I love the flexibility.
I have and still do, go on Chalet Hotel holidays with Mark Warner (MW), hotels they run like big chalets. They are informal so you meet other guests beforehand skiing or in the bar and just make up different groups at dinner. They don't charge single supplements but you will probably have to share a twin bedded room.
MW provide ski hosting so you will have others of a similar standard to ski with.
I have met a couple of skiing friends on these holidays and I will be meeting some of them this coming ski season.
Neilsons apparently offer "singles" skiing holidays.
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And for anybody in a similar situation check this site out it could be just what you need www.singlesport.com
I have not been on one of their holidays but I have heard good reports.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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The only problem with travelling solo is just the supplements, for me anyway, as I've said before it's nice to get away and just do your own thing, without feeling you have any kind of obligation to your travelling partners. Being selfish, without being selfish, if you catch the drift.
Having been "Shirley Valentine'd" once or twice, however, the best laid plans...........
Despite that, solo trips are always the ones that stick in my mind, for the people you get the opportunity to meet, other travellers, but particularly the locals. At the end of the day it boils down to what it means to you, if it's more of a social thing, or if it's more of a chance to get to do stuff you wouldn't with the regular crew.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't be that fazed by just booking solo. Company is normally the last thing you struggle for on a sliding trip.
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FAQ
But I'm sure a little chat in Admin's ear and he could do a deal for a heli-lift to the top instead 
They do better cappuccino darn sarf y'know... 