Skiing (I appreciate it is summer!) for the single man.
Discussion
It's that time of year, the office is a bit quieter, people are out on the summer jollies. Being that my skin tone ranges from translucent to angry red, I've never been a big summer holiday person and normally around this time of year my thoughts wander to the snow and the joys ahead for this season.
Only this year my usual skiing companions are falling like flies. Most seem to be knee deep in kids now which aparently makes things too expensive - serves them right for spending all their money at Disney! So I'm starting to search for options that are more conducive to the single traveller. Ideally somewhere that caters for like minded folks who want to experience the chalet holiday experience and ski hard all day.
I know there are a lot of seasoned skiers and boarders on here - anyone with experience of the single friendly chalet operators?
I'm a ski club member and they seem well geared for single travellers, but not sure I fancy the tuition which most of the trips come with. Although open to persausion.
Only this year my usual skiing companions are falling like flies. Most seem to be knee deep in kids now which aparently makes things too expensive - serves them right for spending all their money at Disney! So I'm starting to search for options that are more conducive to the single traveller. Ideally somewhere that caters for like minded folks who want to experience the chalet holiday experience and ski hard all day.
I know there are a lot of seasoned skiers and boarders on here - anyone with experience of the single friendly chalet operators?
I'm a ski club member and they seem well geared for single travellers, but not sure I fancy the tuition which most of the trips come with. Although open to persausion.
In a word (or more correctly acronym) - HORNAR
In short they hire a chalet in Morzine for the whole season and then sell individual beds (in twin or tripple rooms) to solo travelers and small groups. Everyone's in the same boat so if you want to; hit the first lift/not go out till lunch, pile on the miles/hit the jumps/spend more time stopped for coffee than skiing, or be in bed by 8pm every night/spend all week in the hot tub/go out till dawn there will be a couple of like-minded friends to keep you company.
What can I say, I've now been with them 3 times and in the process of booking for next Jan.
Book before Oct 1st to get 10% off and if you tell Dan the Polar Bear recommended you he might even give you the additional repeat visitor/mate's rates additional £40 discount!
In short they hire a chalet in Morzine for the whole season and then sell individual beds (in twin or tripple rooms) to solo travelers and small groups. Everyone's in the same boat so if you want to; hit the first lift/not go out till lunch, pile on the miles/hit the jumps/spend more time stopped for coffee than skiing, or be in bed by 8pm every night/spend all week in the hot tub/go out till dawn there will be a couple of like-minded friends to keep you company.
What can I say, I've now been with them 3 times and in the process of booking for next Jan.
Book before Oct 1st to get 10% off and if you tell Dan the Polar Bear recommended you he might even give you the additional repeat visitor/mate's rates additional £40 discount!
Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 20th August 16:39
Can't help if you want the chalet/buddy experience, but I tend to do a 'solo' week each year amongst the family & 'mates' trips. The ones I've enjoyed the most were 'road trips' through Colorado...although in fairness you can stay on just 1 or 2 places and 'commute' to the ski areas. Fly to Denver, get and a rental car and drive up to Summit County. From a base there (plenty B&Bs) you could do the ski areas off/near the I70, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek (and there are lots more like Keystone, Breckinridge, Loveland etc, but these are the ones of note I'd say)...then relocate (or commute) to Aspen for Snowmass, Highlands and Ajax itself. You meet plenty folks on the hills, and I like the solo/US road-trip aspect of it. For me at least, certainly more memorable than a chalet trip and not crazy expensive if you pick your times for cheap flights. Just a thought.
Hi OP.
Pop over to SnowHeads they have a specific sub forum for organising solo trips-you can suggest your own trip or see who might have posted a trip that meets your requirements. They have several 'bashes' through the season basically a pre-organised trip with a good rate and the option of single rooms or go for a share. Plenty of solo skiers go and it's very socialable-groups naturally form of similar ability.
You don't say your ability, I can thoroughly recommend Snoworks ski courses. If you're of a decent ability a lot of the courses are pretty much an inexpensive way of having a off piste guide for the week. Their safari and backcountry courses are pretty full on-lunch on the lifts at times! Really very enjoyable and I'd say at least 40% of their clients are solo's. One of the main advantages IMO is you get to ski with people of a similar ability.
You've already got something in common with people so it very easy to get chatting. I hardly bother to try and get a group of mates together any more, done quite a few Snoworks trips and joined/started group trips on Snowheads.
ETA
Looks like the SCGB have had to withdraw their hosting service in France for the coming season. They always got around it as the hosts weren't paid and were volunteers, gave no instruction etc etc. The French seem to be doing their best to push British holiday skiers to other destinations..........
http://www.planetski.eu/news/6131
Pop over to SnowHeads they have a specific sub forum for organising solo trips-you can suggest your own trip or see who might have posted a trip that meets your requirements. They have several 'bashes' through the season basically a pre-organised trip with a good rate and the option of single rooms or go for a share. Plenty of solo skiers go and it's very socialable-groups naturally form of similar ability.
You don't say your ability, I can thoroughly recommend Snoworks ski courses. If you're of a decent ability a lot of the courses are pretty much an inexpensive way of having a off piste guide for the week. Their safari and backcountry courses are pretty full on-lunch on the lifts at times! Really very enjoyable and I'd say at least 40% of their clients are solo's. One of the main advantages IMO is you get to ski with people of a similar ability.
You've already got something in common with people so it very easy to get chatting. I hardly bother to try and get a group of mates together any more, done quite a few Snoworks trips and joined/started group trips on Snowheads.
ETA
Looks like the SCGB have had to withdraw their hosting service in France for the coming season. They always got around it as the hosts weren't paid and were volunteers, gave no instruction etc etc. The French seem to be doing their best to push British holiday skiers to other destinations..........
http://www.planetski.eu/news/6131
Edited by a311 on Thursday 21st August 06:48
wow - some great suggestions, thanks guys.
I've only looked at HOFNAR so far and that already fits the bill. Will check out the other places too and intrigued by the idea of a US road trip doing a day or so in each resort.
Yes - had heard about the issues SCGB are facing with their leading. Hopefully it will get sorted as it is a great service.
I've skied for over 20 years including a season working in Tignes, so agree that the instruction tends to be more guiding than anything (probably because I am too stubborn to correct my technique!).
I've only looked at HOFNAR so far and that already fits the bill. Will check out the other places too and intrigued by the idea of a US road trip doing a day or so in each resort.
Yes - had heard about the issues SCGB are facing with their leading. Hopefully it will get sorted as it is a great service.
I've skied for over 20 years including a season working in Tignes, so agree that the instruction tends to be more guiding than anything (probably because I am too stubborn to correct my technique!).
skibum said:
wow - some great suggestions, thanks guys.
I've only looked at HOFNAR so far and that already fits the bill. Will check out the other places too and intrigued by the idea of a US road trip doing a day or so in each resort.
Yes - had heard about the issues SCGB are facing with their leading. Hopefully it will get sorted as it is a great service.
I've skied for over 20 years including a season working in Tignes, so agree that the instruction tends to be more guiding than anything (probably because I am too stubborn to correct my technique!).
The major issue for me when going solo is the single supplement and avoiding having to pay it. I wanted to join a group of mates last season and with Crystal ski I was basically paying for the holiday twice-even the flights (which I couldn’t fathom!). I ended up sorting a chalet out on Snowheads for this trip.I've only looked at HOFNAR so far and that already fits the bill. Will check out the other places too and intrigued by the idea of a US road trip doing a day or so in each resort.
Yes - had heard about the issues SCGB are facing with their leading. Hopefully it will get sorted as it is a great service.
I've skied for over 20 years including a season working in Tignes, so agree that the instruction tends to be more guiding than anything (probably because I am too stubborn to correct my technique!).
I’d not want to go on a solo trip being a married bloke and find it to be a ‘singles’ set up (maybe some would?!)
If you’re an advanced skier then I’d def recommend Snoworks. The backcountry courses are full days, there’s one in St Anton and another based out of Gressony in Italy. The safari is also good as you drive to a different location in the area based on where conditions are best-tend to be based in Saint Foy-under Tignes. I did the All Terrian course once too, these were just half days and all off piste-some very tidy skiers in the top group we did a heli pick up after skiing off Micky’s ears in Tignes, no shortage of people to ski with.
Do a Warren Smith Ski Course in Verbier...I and a few mates have all done it separately. It's a course designed really at improving your off piste skiing....massively pushes your average intermediate and you'll be doing things you wouldn't have dreamt of by the end of the week. Normally a group of half a dozen per instructor.
You'll be so knackered that one or two nights on the p1ss with people you are skiing with will be all you want.
It's incredibly effective way of improving your skiing and you will have a great time doing it.
My wife and I did it together but skied in different groups due to different ability to I was with strangers all week so was effectively "single". Had a great time. You really push each other,.
It's also a great town for your average single bloke....not a sausage fest like Chamonix etc. It's also pretty decent value.
You'll be so knackered that one or two nights on the p1ss with people you are skiing with will be all you want.
It's incredibly effective way of improving your skiing and you will have a great time doing it.
My wife and I did it together but skied in different groups due to different ability to I was with strangers all week so was effectively "single". Had a great time. You really push each other,.
It's also a great town for your average single bloke....not a sausage fest like Chamonix etc. It's also pretty decent value.
Greg66 said:
I don't have a link handy, but try searching for a heli-skiing operation in the BC interior where you can stay in my lodge in the middle of nowhere. Just make sure your pow-pow skills are up to it!
Does said offer of lodge apply to all? 
Where about is it? Big White kind of area if you say BC interior at a guess?a311 said:
Greg66 said:
I don't have a link handy, but try searching for a heli-skiing operation in the BC interior where you can stay in my lodge in the middle of nowhere. Just make sure your pow-pow skills are up to it!
Does said offer of lodge apply to all? Where about is it? Big White kind of area if you say BC interior at a guess?Oh, to have my own heli skiing lodge in the BC interior... Alas, we have a meagre condo in Whistler (which is available for rent, if anyone is interested).
Greg66 said:
Hmm. That didn't quite work. Ipad + no glasses = cock up. "My" should have been "a"!
Oh, to have my own heli skiing lodge in the BC interior... Alas, we have a meagre condo in Whistler (which is available for rent, if anyone is interested).
Ah yes your popularity would have increased 10 fold! Oh, to have my own heli skiing lodge in the BC interior... Alas, we have a meagre condo in Whistler (which is available for rent, if anyone is interested).
Do you own the Condo? That is more than I've ever had not meagre. We've stayed in Blackcomb a few times in a condo. Kind of opposite the big chateau looking hotel, there's an Intersport rental shop in the same building. Crstal lodge is it called?
Great place to ski and therefore good place to have property. I'd like to have something like that one day but I like moving around and haven't found the ultimate Goldilocks resort yet. Whistler would be close minus the flight, St Anton close but a c@ck fest and the pistes can also be jam packed with c@cks.... Tignes up there but it's fugly.
a311 said:
Ah yes your popularity would have increased 10 fold!
Do you own the Condo? That is more than I've ever had not meagre. We've stayed in Blackcomb a few times in a condo. Kind of opposite the big chateau looking hotel, there's an Intersport rental shop in the same building. Crstal lodge is it called?
Great place to ski and therefore good place to have property. I'd like to have something like that one day but I like moving around and haven't found the ultimate Goldilocks resort yet. Whistler would be close minus the flight, St Anton close but a c@ck fest and the pistes can also be jam packed with c@cks.... Tignes up there but it's fugly.
I know exactly where you mean - I rented a road bike from there last week for 66 major so that she could join me on her first roadie outing over here (up to the top of the Callaghan valley). Good spot. Do you own the Condo? That is more than I've ever had not meagre. We've stayed in Blackcomb a few times in a condo. Kind of opposite the big chateau looking hotel, there's an Intersport rental shop in the same building. Crstal lodge is it called?
Great place to ski and therefore good place to have property. I'd like to have something like that one day but I like moving around and haven't found the ultimate Goldilocks resort yet. Whistler would be close minus the flight, St Anton close but a c@ck fest and the pistes can also be jam packed with c@cks.... Tignes up there but it's fugly.
Yes to ownership. We bought a few years ago now, precisely because it was, for us, a Goldilocks resort, but only once we had come out here in the summer. Now the kids are (almost) both teens, we're at the stage where summer is possibly marginally more enjoyed than winter - more to do, more relaxed, more relaxing. The flight I personally don't mind (although BA miles/Avios have helped us avoid the standing room only areas at the rear of the plane, which makes a massive difference) - it's the jet lag on the return that I still have problems with.
Tignes is not a pretty place, that's for sure. But VG skiing. I haven't been to St Anton for many, many years - there was a time in the 90s when Whistler village in winter was like Parsons Green on a Friday night. It sounds like that may be St Anton's problem now. I think if I were buying in Europe it would have to be Chamonix...
Hi another vote for HOFNAR here!
Dan and his chalet hosts are awesome, great friendly atmosphere. I have been with friends, by myself and with the mrs over the past 4 years. All times have great fun.
He helped setup an awesome engagement proposal 18 month ago for me!
Nothing better than a post ski hot tub overlooking Morzine with a cheeky bottle of Rose' !
Dan and his chalet hosts are awesome, great friendly atmosphere. I have been with friends, by myself and with the mrs over the past 4 years. All times have great fun.
He helped setup an awesome engagement proposal 18 month ago for me!
Nothing better than a post ski hot tub overlooking Morzine with a cheeky bottle of Rose' !
Greg66 said:
I know exactly where you mean - I rented a road bike from there last week for 66 major so that she could join me on her first roadie outing over here (up to the top of the Callaghan valley). Good spot.
Yes to ownership. We bought a few years ago now, precisely because it was, for us, a Goldilocks resort, but only once we had come out here in the summer. Now the kids are (almost) both teens, we're at the stage where summer is possibly marginally more enjoyed than winter - more to do, more relaxed, more relaxing. The flight I personally don't mind (although BA miles/Avios have helped us avoid the standing room only areas at the rear of the plane, which makes a massive difference) - it's the jet lag on the return that I still have problems with.
Tignes is not a pretty place, that's for sure. But VG skiing. I haven't been to St Anton for many, many years - there was a time in the 90s when Whistler village in winter was like Parsons Green on a Friday night. It sounds like that may be St Anton's problem now. I think if I were buying in Europe it would have to be Chamonix...
We found Blackcomb to be pretty low key in the evening but weren't looking for nightlife, guess you can still ski in the summer up on the glacier too? Summer glacier skiing isn't something I've done much of. Do you manage to let it out during the time you're not there? Thinking about it more I'd probably base myself in Aosta in Italy, with a car you could get to loads of place inc Chamonix, Courmayeur, Pila (directly from Aosta) Cervinia and therefore Zermatt, La Thuille, Gressoney areas. Could also get through the tunnel and have a lot of the big French resorts to play in too. Yes to ownership. We bought a few years ago now, precisely because it was, for us, a Goldilocks resort, but only once we had come out here in the summer. Now the kids are (almost) both teens, we're at the stage where summer is possibly marginally more enjoyed than winter - more to do, more relaxed, more relaxing. The flight I personally don't mind (although BA miles/Avios have helped us avoid the standing room only areas at the rear of the plane, which makes a massive difference) - it's the jet lag on the return that I still have problems with.
Tignes is not a pretty place, that's for sure. But VG skiing. I haven't been to St Anton for many, many years - there was a time in the 90s when Whistler village in winter was like Parsons Green on a Friday night. It sounds like that may be St Anton's problem now. I think if I were buying in Europe it would have to be Chamonix...
skibum said:
Think I'm in a triple - but interesting that we'll both be there that week. Let's hope for good snow.
I skied in Avoriaz probably 15+ years ago, so don't really know the area that well. What is it like for off piste? Easily accessible?
Part of the deal with HOFNAR is that 'staff' (call them "guides" and the French get all stroppy, call them "chalet maids" and they hit you I skied in Avoriaz probably 15+ years ago, so don't really know the area that well. What is it like for off piste? Easily accessible?
) ski with you and Dan spends the first few weeks making sure any new staff know what's what; where to ski in different conditions, where to head for safe, casual off-piste - or which guides to hire if you want to go hard-core (in which case you should probably have booked for the Back Country week).I'm more on than off piste but there's a reaonsable amount to play in on a powder day.
Hosting for Dan isn't for the faint-hearted. Up before everyone else to cook breakfast, ski with everyone all day, lead the apres-ski, cook dinner then if people want to party out till everyone's too drunk to see you slip away to bed. Dan did most of the season on his own the year before last, but god knows how. We had Lizzy and Cat this year - and Lizzy only needed £800 worth of Jager-induced dental work at the end of it!
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