Describing the Solo Ski Experience Past solo skiers and snowboarders sharing their thoughts on what a solo's ski holiday is like.

It was easy and I’m an introvert! We met up in the hotel bar, we all had something in common to start our conversation - skiing.

A bit nerve-racking, wondering whether they'd all have two heads or be in some other way really awful. Then meeting them and realising that whatever our differences, we have one thing in common, our love of skiing.

Really seamless the first time (I was in. Morzine). I'd booked on a shared transfer which three people from the chalet were on thanks to the Facebook group set up it was fairly easy to pick out who was in the chalet, which broke the ice. Followed by arrival drinks it was so chilled. Due to the fact we were a mixed group (Skiing/boarding & ability) and the majority of us had never met, no one really had any expectations, and a love of the mountains was a common thread. The chalet host's were great and effortlessly seemed to put us all at easy. My board was waiting for me when I arrived a quick phone call and it was fitted in chalet. Rooms had been allocated according to age/sex and interests to try and insure we were comfortable (it worked). A brilliant meal with a healthy amount of wine and it was just like being with a group of friends!

I have been on about 5 solo holidays and on each occasion, I have found the reception by fellow skiers and boarders to be open, friendly and welcoming. The groups of people come from all over the world and from all areas of working life. Everyone in a very short period of time, make you feel you have gone on holiday with family or friends.

It was a bit weird but it helps to think that everyone there likes to ski so don't forget tht this will unite you!!!

I have been on numerous solo ski holidays. A mixture of Single rooms and male share options. The later when I was a lot younger. I think my feelings, when arriving at the chalet on the first day, have always been a bit apprehensive and a bit nervous. Always hoping that there would be other Solo skiers or a group that would be happy for me to join them. To date I have never been disappointed. As a result, with perhaps the exception of the first day, I have never had to ski alone.

Arrival day was great, I was one of the last to arrive so pretty much everyone was already in the bar, I was introduced by the hotel staff who checked me in, and away we went! Straight into conversation with everyone about pretty much anything, everyone has the same mindset so it’s easy to get on with everyone!

A little apprehensive at first, but quickly realised we were all in the same boat, 20 minutes in it was fine & friendly.

Meeting 13 fellow guests in a chalet for the first time is always interesting, as no-one knows anyone, nor their skiing abilities, but an evening meal is bound to start the gelling process as you all have one thing in common.....the joy of the sport!

I arrived in the evening, everyone had arrived and the crowd were most welcoming . Like-minded mutual love of skiing with open mindedness on going on a solo holiday.

Scary! Then one of my room mates arrived a few minutes later and we hit it off instantly!

Warm and friendly helped by the WhatsApp group set up before we all arrived

The arrival day was great, everyone that worked at the chalet was very welcoming. Three of us arrived quite early so we went into town and had a few drinks which was a great start.

As everyone was a solo traveller, any misgivings you might of had soon disappear and everyone is keen to get to know each other

It was great we split into levels and met up for coffee and lunch then in the afternoon we joined together or skied solo. No one was under pressure to do something they didn’t want to do.

I have the advantage of skiing with a club that maintains a record of all its members' skiing ability and then arranges holidays focused on those of similar ability. So I know I'm going to be skiing with people who won't be gnashing their teeth in irritation at how long they've waited for me to catch up, any more than I'll be gnashing my teeth waiting for them.

Best when you team up with people who ski at the same pace.

It worked really well most days we all set off together and caught first (ish) lifts. Often we'd split up for lessons or depending on ability and arrange to meet for lunch followed by more boarding and apres. So much encouragement for people who weren't as confident or proficient as others too. It's a great way to progress too! In a judgement free environment.

The chalet will always have a mixture of beginners to very experienced skiers and boarders. This is actually a great outcome for all. The experienced support the less experience, arrangements are made to meet up at key points on the mountains and the different adventures shared each evening back at the chalet.

Once you are on the mountain, you know you will have a good time so it is time to find people that have the same goal and are looking for the same fun as you and enjoy. Take your time and share this with others.

As a solo skier the groups I have joined have varied in size from small groups of 2 or 3, to the largest which was 7 or 8. This was a group of mixed netball players, sounds a bit odd I hear you say. However, they welcomed me as one of their own. This was in a privately run chalet in Les Allues (Meribel), probably about 20 years ago, and was one of the best skiing holidays ever, I have never laughed as much.

Generally speaking we stuck together as a whole group in the mornings, and then split up into smaller groups in the afternoon, depending on the weather and what runs everyone wanted to do! For me especially as a new snowboarder, it was good to go down some harder reds, and even a black, with the support of the rest of the group, and then be able to spend the afternoon practising and fine tuning skills and technique.

Brilliant! There were quite a few of us around the same level and a few different groups formed quite naturally.

Really well, there were a group of beginners who went off to ski school together, and the rest of us were of a similar standard so skied mostly together. Fortunately a few knew the resort well and were happy to be the guides!!!

When abilities were established, it was excellent and assisted by the touring with a local professional who knew every inch of the vast skiing area. In such an environment age is of no materiality (our group had an age range of 24-72!!) and ability is all that counts.

Good but I’m renowned for disappearing off on my own!

We all fitted in and naturally went with people at same level but also looked out for each other

We broke off into groups naturally mixing up it up throughout the week and on the last day we all went together. The levels did range but everyone except one person was confident with blue runs.

By the end of day one everyone had happily settled into a group of suitable experience and ski level

Good......everyone made effort to ski together and include everyone

The best is that you meet people you can ski with for years because you go back. I do the same ladies week with Redpoint every year and it’s wonderful. I also go to Chamonix with Cold Fusion. Different people but with the same aim.

The only downside is the cost of a solo room. I’m gay and I’m not comfortable sharing and the industry doesn’t seem to have twigged it may be an issue for gay people and prospective sharers!

The best thing is that I get to go skiing with people who have that interest in common. If I skied by myself, I'd lose my enthusiasm very quickly.

The worst thing is finding no-one else in the group thinking a beer at the end of the day's skiing isn't a fundamental part of the skiing day.

Pretty much everything was great - the evening meals were a lot of fun as were the breakfasts.

Worst thing was I wasn't as fit as I thought but totally my fault!

The worst thing the anticipation as to who will be there.

The best thing wow so many things, the anticipation as to who will be there (you'll meet some great people). Time on the slopes and not having to wait for your friends to commit to a date. Also you're not Billy no mates sat in the hotel/chalet/hostel on your tod. It's a group holiday with new friends all with the same outlook.

The best, is that I have a partner who hates the cold, snow and falling over. A snowboarding/skiing holiday is not their thing. Solo holidays allow me to do something I love doing without taking a companion. It provides me the comfort, that I am sharing the slopes with individuals, who I have met in the chalet, this offers me a degree of safety on the slopes as you watch out for each other.

The worst thing is minor in comparison, you will share a room, and you may not always have the same waking and sleeping routine. You can overcome this with earplugs and an eye mask.

Best - everyone's there for the skiing or snowboarding so you all have something in common. The group size meant everyone had someone to hang around with.

Worst - not always back from the slopes in time for a piece of cake in the chalet.

Worst thing: There is always the possibility you might not find someone, of a similar level, who is happy to agree to you joining them. Thus far this has never happened to me.

Best thing: Sharing. Whilst I am always happy to go on a solo skiing holiday, I really enjoy meeting like-minded people who are up for a laugh and also enjoy some serious skiing.

Best - loads of friendly fun with like-minded people.

Worst - the first 20 minutes after arriving.

The best: Amazing ski area, huge, shared with a bunch of great people who I hope to stay in contact with a few of them.

The worst: Using Alpybus as a transfer should have used ski gathering transfer, as Alpybus bus broke down which caused all sorts of delays.

The best thing was the fun with the rest of the group sharing experiences and dong what they enjoyed most....some went to town after dinner...others preferred to chat and play games in the chalet.

The worst thing was beyond the control of everyone...which was the weather washing out the fun of one day

Worst: scary not knowing who you’re going to be with

Best: finding out who you’re with!

Best: Making new snow friends. Can be difficult if there is a wide age range in the group. I like the over 50s idea.

Worst: No time to your self but that's not why you go on a trip like this!

Best...meeting like-minded people

Worst...my occasional snoring

Best thing was that you although you feel uncomfortable taking the plunge going, sometimes, to have an experience we have to be uncomfortable.

I didn't have much expectations and thought worst case I'll just enjoy the skiing but we all got along and did things together. I had my own room so from my point of view there was nothing negative but could see this possible being a downside.

The best part was getting to know new friends.

The worst part is that just as you get to know everyone , it's time to leave.

Best thing was was making new friendships and people's willingness to include and help others.

No I went in with an open mind, slightly apprehensive about ages but I now ski with people in their 70s and people in their 20s and we all share our stories over supper.

No - it was quite clear that it was for people who wanted to ski not looking for hook ups.

No it's made clear it's solos and not love chalet (that's totally up to you). There's an option on where you stay, room type single, twin, triple, quad etc. You're fully in control!! I'd go so far as to say it exceeded expectations.

For a moment I was afraid I would have to stay with a group ALL the time.

Absolutely not. Like-minded people wanting a holiday skiing or snowboarding and going on their own.

Not really. I did a lot of homework, and investigation before booking. My very first solo skiing holiday was in Courchevel. It was a Male Share option. I ended up sharing with a Glaswegian Lorry Driver. We had a great time, even if we didn’t understand what each other was saying all the time. Usually after a few too many glasses of wine🤣

Yes, there was a real mixture of ages and skiing abilities, everyone was very friendly and no one was left out.

I initially misunderstood how much ski touring with the guide was involved (but that was probably my fault) but as it turned out the amount was perfect, ending up with a full day (09.00-16.30) which challenged even the best. Solo holidays involve an ability to mingle, be sociable, and to accept differences.......if you can handle that.... the jewels will be plentiful!

None, but I had to assure friends that this is not a matchmaking adventure.

Overall it was accurate but I did think the centre of Meribel would be much closer and accessible so I don't think I would chose a holiday this far out.

As I have been on solo ski holidays before it was not a problem for me, as for some of the others it didn't take them long to realise what they had been missing out on

Do what’s comfortable for you, never be embarrassed, everyone is there to do the same thing, I’m always the worst skier and I don’t care and neither does anyone else!

If your choice is giving up skiing because you've no-one to go with, or trying a solos holiday for the first time, it really is a no-brainer. If you really don't like it, OK, give up the skiing.

You need to be able to chat and socialise with whoever you happen to be with. Take a room for sole occupancy if you need to have a place to retreat to for some alone time.

It's a great way to go if your wife/girlfriend/partner doesn't want to go skiing and none of your friends are free to go at the same time as you are.

Do it!! Yes it's new, no you're not sad going on your own. It's all about independence, you can go at your speed or with the group. The nice thing is at the end of the day you have people around with the same outlook. I enjoyed it so much I've been three times and will probably go again!

I am person who likes to holiday with family and friends. To take a holiday on your own seemed daunting. However, almost from beginning to end, it doesn't feel like you have taken a holiday on your own.

The worst that can happen is that you will ski and come back with some good memories!

It is important that you remain relaxed and open minded. That said you should “Just do it“ as they say. You will probably be very surprised at how much fun it is.

Just go and do it, everyone is there to have a great holiday, so as long as you go there with the same intention then you’ll all get on great and it will an awesome holiday!

Do it. It’s great fun and well worth it. I’ve now been on two more holidays with people I met on the solo trip.

Meeting people from all over the world cannot be a bad thing, can it?

Try it.....gradually over the years my friends have stopped skiing and I was left in a position of having no-one with either the ability or the fitness to ski with...so I was left with a quandary, which skiing with The Ski Gathering satisfied with ease and professionalism.

I was scared. Arrived just in time for afternoon tea. My room mate arrived minutes later. We agreed to go to put our boots in the boot room before meeting everyone. Since then 7 of us have been to Japan together, 2 to Italy, 2 to Canada, we had a party at one of their houses before we went to Japan, 5 of us went back to the same chalet for Christmas, 2 of us had been back previously, I’ve had lunch with one from my first stay with two from my second (at the same time) and two have just come to visit me in Spain! Belinda, Jana and Rafa were fantastic. I couldn’t pay for my lift pass for a couple of days as my bank had put a block on my card but they just gave it to me anyway trusting that I would pay when I could. Most of us are still in touch...skiing + lifelong friends 😊😊

Just do it! You are going to be with like-minded people who love the mountains and snow and ski/ boarding scene.

Go for it ...YOLO...you only live once

GO! You'll have fun and meet like-minded people.

As everyone was a solo traveller, any misgivings you might of had soon disappear and everyone is keen to get to know each other