Are you ready to embark on an adventure? Planning a solo ski trip can be an exhilarating experience, combining fun, exercise, and breathtaking views of snow-clad mountain peaks. But before you hit the slopes, it’s important to ensure you’re well-prepared for your solo holiday. In this article, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to get you ready for an epic solo ski holiday:
1. Prepare the Paperwork:
Dealing with the paperwork in good time – boring as it may be – to make sure you have time to make any necessary changes. This may be applying for a new passport, getting winter sports cover added to your insurance policy, or dealing with flight changes:
- Passport: Double check the expiry date bearing in mind that a British passport will now have to be less than 10 years old and valid for 3 months or more depending on the country you travel to after the day you plan to return home. Watch out for passports issued before 1 October 2018 as extra months may have been added to the expiry date. If that is the case the 10 year limit will prevail. Put a copy of your passport into your luggage.
- Travel insurance: You should always take insurance out as soon as you book any vacation. If yours has recently expired, or you haven’t got around to taking a policy out, do it now. In either case, check that you are covered for any winter sports activities, that you may wish to pursue as well as repatriation home in case if a serious accident. Take your policy details with you and leave a copy with a trusted friend.
- Flight tickets: If seating is important to you, book your seats as soon as possible, or ideally at the time of booking your flight. Closer to the time of your trip, make sure your flight schedule hasn’t changed, check you have booked sufficient luggage allowance, fill in your API, and check in online.
- Airport transfers: Consider how you will get to your local airport and arrange airport parking, Meet and Greet, taxis, or train tickets in good time before your departure to ensure availability but also to save you some money. Most importantly, plan your journey on arrival abroad. Compare prices of taxis and shuttle services to your ski resort and book these online in advance, especially if you are travelling during high season.
- Booking details: Dig out the details of your accommodation. It might be in an email folder that is no longer accessible from your smartphone, so send the details to yourself, or print a copy of the address, telephone number, and room you have booked. It’s likely been a while since you booked your accommodation, so make sure you have the information at hand.
2. Research Your Ski Resort
Finding out as much information as possible about your chosen ski destination will help you make the most of your solo ski trip whether you booked a group ski holiday for solo travellers or going it alone. Here are some things to look up before you set off on your adventure:
- Weather and snow conditions: Check the weather and snow conditions of your ski destination. If snow conditions are poor, check which lifts are open and whether you can ski back to your accommodation.
- Getting to the slopes: If you are not in a ski in/ski out hotel, check the best way of getting to the slopes each day. Even if your accommodation advertised to be within walking distance of the lifts, you might find that this involves lugging your gear up and down a steep icy hill twice a day. Don’t get caught out and check out all your options. There is likely to be a free shuttle service that can get you to and from the slopes every day.
- Piste map: Depending on your ski level, check where the green, blue, red, and black slopes are in relation to your accommodation, how to best access these, and any off-piste options if you are an advanced skier.
- Lift pass: Check if you can save a little bit of money by buying your lift pass online in advance or through your accommodation.
- Local rules & regulations: Familiarize yourself with the resort’s rules and regulations and learn basic ski etiquette and safety guidelines. You would be surprised how these differ from one country to the next and sometimes from one ski region to another.
- Other activities: Weather conditions, unexpected lift closures, and exhaustion might require adjustments to your plans. So, check out some alternative activities or plan for a rest day in the hotel spa or local thermal spa. It might do you a world of good! After all, skiing can be physically demanding, and it’s important to give your body time to rest and recover.
By knowing your resort and planning some of the details of your solo ski trip in advance, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect during your solo ski trip and can make the most of your time on the mountain.
What to Pack for Your Solo Ski Trip
Packing the right gear is essential for a successful solo ski trip. Here’s a comprehensive ski trip packing list to ensure you’re well-equipped for any situation:
- Ski clothing: Pack thermal base layers, ski pants, ski jacket, and ski socks. Add mid layers and a warm fleece and thermal inner gloves if you are going at a colder time of year. Layering is key to staying warm on the slopes.
- Ski equipment: If you have your own skis, boots, poles, and helmet, check they are in good condition: Look at the binding, make sure your helmet has no dents, and get your skis serviced in time. Alternatively, renting equipment from the ski resort will cost you little more as you save on transport and servicing and means you can try out different models.
- Ski accessories: Don’t forget to pack goggles and gloves. Decent quality, waterproof gloves are crucial for keeping your hands warm and protected against the cold, whilst goggles are essential in case of poor weather: They can significantly enhance visibility in case it is foggy, snows, or is very sunny.
- First aid kit: Pack a basic first aid kit in case of any minor injuries on the mountain. Include items such as plasters and pain killers.
- Sun protection: Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays by packing sunscreen and lip balm with SPF. Don’t forget to protect your eyes with high quality sunglasses that have polarised lenses, which reduce sun and snow glare.
- Optional: A rucksack will come in handy for items that do not fit in your pockets, such as a water bottle, snack, a piste map, reading glasses, or sunglasses.
Packing the right gear will ensure you won’t arrive unprepared and can enjoy a safe and fun solo ski trip.
Safety Tips for Solo Skiers
Safety should always be a top priority, especially when skiing solo. Here are some tips to help you stay safe on the slopes:
- Get fit for the slopes: Most of us lead sedentary lives, with many jobs requiring several hours a day of desk work and far too few on our feet. Even if you are a regular gym goer, doing ski exercises to physically prepare for the slopes is a good idea. They will improve your fitness, strength, and flexibility, and lower your risk of injury.
- Ski within your limits: Be honest with yourself about your skiing abilities and stick to runs that match your skill level. Avoid pushing yourself too far and risking injury, dehydration, or low blood sugar.
- Stay on marked ski runs: Stick to the piste and avoid venturing into closed or off-piste areas unless you have a guide with you or know the area extremely well.
- Buddy up: Whenever possible, ski with a buddy or let someone know your planned route and estimated return time. This way, someone will be aware if something goes wrong.
- Check the weather: Keep an eye on the weather forecast before heading out on the slopes. Avoid skiing during heavy snowfall or in whiteout conditions. i.e. in severely reduced visibility.
- Stay hydrated and fuelled: Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious meals to keep your energy levels up throughout the day.
By following these safety tips, you will minimize any risks and enjoy a safer solo ski trip.
A Successful Solo Ski Trip
Embarking on a solo ski trip can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Take the time to plan and prepare, starting early and prioritising safety. We hope that our short guide has empowered you to tackle your solo ski trip with confidence and make lifelong memories along the way.
