 Poster: A snowHead
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As I've said in other threads I'm a fairly new skier, but have become rapidly obsessed with it. I'm off this evening to go skiing for 10 days, and then..like most I presume would normally do nothing and wait until the next trip next year. However, much to the chagrine of my wife, I am determined to not let this happen, and get myself skiing regularly throughout the year - I'm looking at lessons at Hemel for that.
I'd like to go as much as is possible - time, work and wife allowing - but its difficult for someone who hasn't done it before to start. There are a lot of operators offering what seem like great deals (Crystalski, Thompson, etc); but are they? I have my own gear (aside from Skis) and generally don't care where I go as long as there is a bit of English (I speak passable French, nothing else).
Is it best to just pick a thread in here at random, for example, find some people who are going somewhere, and just tag along? Solo skiers on here must have started at some point, how did you get started? Tia.
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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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macgyver, I presume you are talking about last minute TO deals? I have done several in the past and enjoyed them all and IMO they can be absolute bargains.
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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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Hi guys, yes I am thinking of those NickyJ, I've seen some crazy deals, eg £300 for everything in, apart from food/aprés ski. I guess I look at them and think 'whats the catch?'.
DoubleBombardino thanks for that, I shall have a look and see if I can make one. Sounds like a great way to get out and meet people.
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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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Often No catch they are just filling last few places in accommodation / seats on aircraft. Before we had kids (so while ago now) we did several £199 each last minute deals which included flighs transfer and catered accommodation we didn't know which chalet we would end up in but as it was just me and hubby then we really weren't at all fussy. Different story now we have a 3 yr old and 6 yr old out priorities are completely different.
Though if you aren't going with the Mrs's then the bashes do look like a great way to go.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Well I'm not ruling out the Mrs coming, but she's less passionate about it than I am (despite skiing longer and being considerably better!).
I guess it makes sense about selling places, as presumably they've paid for them and want to recoup some costs  .
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macgyver, another possibility is UCPA, holidays sold through Action Outdoors. They are all-inclusive of all meals, equipment, ski passes and various packages of tuition - very good value and good for solo travellers. Have a look at the action outdoors website and lots of positive reports on UCPA trips here on snowheads.
BUT - you really need to try to get your wife hooked too. 
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Hi pam - thanks for that. Had a dig around the site and it looks like a fantastic option, especially with the integrated lessons.
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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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macgyver, there's a UCPA discount code here somewhere - search function should find it no trouble.
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Ok well after reading the Bash threads, I'm totally sold on that idea; I'll have to try and get on one soon!
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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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That looks amazing, but thinking about it its a week after the Paris marathon so I will likely not be in skiing condition.
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macgyver, Also, if you want to combine ski coaching with a holiday, you could look at some of the Inside Out coaching holidays.
http://www.insideoutskiing.com/
I've just become a solo skier this year and am using the above and snowHeads Bashes to launch this new phase. 
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You know it makes sense.
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I've never done the bashes or UCPA although both do seem like a good idea.
I have however been on various solo skier trips and always had the best of times.
I'm not sure you can really get a feel for your fellow travellers on a brief Internet post, so I think the trick is to get involved in a group which is big enough that you will get on with at least a few people but small enough that you get talking to everyone. I generally find groups of 8 to 10 are ideal.
It's probably also good to be in a group where at least a few other people are the same sort of level of skier as you. Years ago I did go with a group where the majority were a level or so above me. The conditions were very icy and I did lose a bit of confidence trying to keep up with them.
The best solo skier hol I had was when I went with no more expectation than that if nothing else I had avoided single supplements. Then the holiday was just the best, the group members were all very different and we had such fun that we have skied every January since and even get together in the UK at least one weekend a year.
Lastly I did once book a single room in a chalet. I knew I'd get company that way at night and I booked for ski school through the day. That worked ok too.
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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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macgyver, if you're looking at lessons at Hemel then follow Iski's link to Inside Out, if you haven't already. Assuming you're past the beginner stage these are a great way of meeting a group of fellow enthusiasts. They run regular coaching sessions at HH and there are a few regulars who are all keen to improve. Once you start knowing a few people who ski regularly you might find your problem is choosing which of the many available holidays to go on  . I'd also recommend the bashes, both the PSB and the EOSB offer very good instruction.
[Other ski holidays are available]
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Poster: A snowHead
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An interesting read this thread.
Last week i was very much in the same boat but as of yesterday i can now say i have done my first solo ski. I flew out to Morzine last weds and stayed for 3 nights, alone. I skied alone and did my own thing.....i really enjoyed it.
If i stayed any longer i would seriously consider signing up for lessons as once you have explored the area you could do with the company to spice things up
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| macgyver wrote: |
| That looks amazing, but thinking about it its a week after the Paris marathon so I will likely not be in skiing condition. |
Oh go on, Tarquin did a bash the DAY after the London Marathon!
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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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macgyver - I too am a solo skier. This year I'm just hanging on for a late deal! Intend to go to 3 valleys as usual - just can't get enough of the place. 'Ski Weekends' coach trip looks a likely option if a better price doesn't come along.
Re. Coaching/Lessons - check out Warren Smiths website. VERY RECOMMENDED.
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