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I’ve met so many women who like travel and want to travel but don’t have the company. I never let that stop me from seeing and experiencing many different parts of the world, and to be honest, it should never stop you either.

I might even go as far as to call myself an experienced solo traveler, and believe me, you can only have fun. A couple of years back, I booked my first solo ski trip and it’s still one of the best experiences in my life, so I decided to share my story.

The summer of 2014 was quite turbulent for me, with moving apartments and changing jobs, so I was desperate for an active vacation to blow off some steam and clear my head. I chose skiing, because there’s nothing that both relaxes me and gets me going like hitting the slopes. OK, maybe surfing, but I wanted to get away from Sydney.

I took one of the bus trips to the snow and since I didn’t have much time to plan this trip, I just went for it. But then again, that’s how I like to travel anyways. I went to the Snowy Mountains, because I have some fabulous memories of the place, and once again, it didn’t fail me.

If you like your trip to be a little bit more organized (unlike me), I’m just going to let you know that there are great accommodation options there, from budget motels to all-inclusive packages you can book in advance. Also, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned skier, a beginner or somewhere in the middle like me, there are resorts that will satisfy your skiing level and needs.

You don’t even have to ski to have a perfect winter adventure and enjoy all the snow. You can try snow-tubing (my favourite after skiing) or you can simply go on hikes and soak up some sun, enjoy the fresh mountain air and take amazing photos.

There are many ways you can get to your resort. Once you get there, don’t forget to be safe. Remember, you’re there alone, so make sure you always have your phone (in a zip bag!!!) so you can get help if needed.  One other thing: never venture past the ski area boundary unless you’re very, very skilled!

People usually ask me how come I don’t get bored or lonely on my solo travels, and if you ever went skiing, you probably know that you don’t get much time to rest and get bored in the first place. Skiing is an individual activity after all, and you can’t really chat with your companions while rushing down the slopes.

And when you decide it was enough for the day, the only thing you’ll want to do is hit the sack (that is, if you ski like you’re supposed to ski and not spend your day lounging around).

So, if you’re planning on taking a solo trip anywhere, I certainly recommend a skiing trip for your first solo adventure. The Snowy Mountains will certainly provide just the thing you’re looking for and I can’t stress enough how much fun I had on that trip. I’ll be back this winter again, so Snowy Mountains – brace yourself, Roxana is coming!

The Best Places For Skiing

Don’t let a drop of snow stop you from travelling. For those who love the thrill of racing down mountains with white powdery snow under your feet, skiing is the perfect getaway and a great excuse to travel to pastures new. Ski resorts are great to meet others and it’s easy to become part of a community in the bars at night. You don’t have to be a pro either as there are nursery slopes around the globe for those of us who are beginners. Here are the best places for skiing in the world.

Canada

Everyone has heard of Whistler, probably the most famous ski resort of all. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains have over 200 marked runs without stunning terrain. This trendy ski resort has renown restaurants and you can also dog-sled here too. A UNESCO heritage site, Banff is a year-round skiing destination with thermal pools to the west of Banff to soak the muscles on a well-deserved day off. Sun Peaks is the third largest in Canada and as well as Nordic and alpine skiing, has many winter activities to choose from such as snowmobiling and tubing.

New Zealand

The south island of New Zealand is a great choice for skiing with uncrowded slopes, alpine peaks and of course the friendly New Zealand hospitality. There are 500 kms of mountain ranges in the country and the best ski resort if you’re a beginner is Cardrona, an old gold rush town.

Queenstown, on the shore of Lake Wakatipu is the most popular and is the perfect place to meet others après ski with endless evening activities. There are even more resorts just 30 minutes drive away at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.

France

You’re spoilt for choice in the French Alps and one of the most underrated resorts here is St Gervais with less tourists than you’ll find in other ski regions. Although Meribel attracts families, it also has a good party scene to meet others. There’s skiing here for every level plus a swimming pool and ice rink for those who fancy a break from the piste.

With many repeat customers year on year, Val d’Isere is one of the most popular resorts for a ski holiday in France and although it’s not for the budget solo, it does have an excellent ski school and is only 5 km from the Italian border.

Austria

The birthplace of Alpine skiing, Austria has excellent skiing with Kuhtai offering some of the best ski touring in the country. Obergurgl has beautiful views being one of Europe’s highest ski villages and is pretty much guaranteed snow between mid-November until May. Suitable for any level of skier, Austria may not have the height of the French ski resorts but it does have its Austrian charm, and you get to experience a Finnish sauna afterwards.

Switzerland

You can’t get much more stunning than Zermatt with the Matterhorn on display at virtually each angle of the ski resort. Plus once you’ve finished skiing for the day you simply have to enjoy a drink at the Cavern bar in the most unusual setting inside a man-made cave.

Switzerland has piste that seem to go on forever, and Verbier is one of these, known as a premier off-piste resort with snow nearly all year-round. For something a little bit different choose Savognin for snow tubing or even snow biking at an affordable resort in the Swiss Alps.

Tips For First Time Skiers

Once you have your first ever ski holiday booked it is likely that you will be buzzing with excitement. It is also likely that you have some nerves about hitting the slopes, particularly if you are skiing solo. Skiing holidays are quite unlike any other vacation, but with a bit of advice it will be a fantastic experience that will leave you shredding the slopes like a professional in no time at all.

Don’t Panic

Firstly, it’s important to not panic if you have never gone skiing before. Every month, ski resorts around the world welcome complete beginners and you will be able to sign up for lessons which will show you the ropes and get you started. Similarly, you will be taught how to use the chairlifts and how to properly use the equipment. The beginner courses usually run slowly over the nursery slopes so you can learn at your own pace. When you are ready on your first day, sign up for group lessons as this is a great way to make some new friends whilst learning.

Equipment

Next up is equipment. Skiing equipment isn’t cheap, that’s why for a first timer it’s a good idea to rent and not to buy. If you decide you love skiing and want to take it up you might want to invest in your own equipment next time. By telling the rental shop that you are a beginner they can arrange the necessary and appropriate equipment for you so that you don’t have to make the investment upfront. Always make sure that your boots do not hurt, but that your feet are held firmly.

Packing

Much like any trip, packing is likely to cause a bit of stress. Clothing wise for skiing, you need to make sure that you have a breathable ski suit (which is of decent quality), a fleece, gloves and sunglasses. Don’t forget to invest in sun cream and lip balm – beginners are often easy to spot due to their red faces and cracked lips.

Making the Most of it

The first day may feel like a struggle and slightly overwhelming, but with good instruction you will soon make progress. As long as you have patience and a smile on your face, you are sure to have a fantastic time and quickly get in the swing of things. Skiing is only part of the trip, so make sure that you go to après-ski sessions to make some new friends and enjoy everything that your resort has to offer for the complete experience.

Ski holidays can be great vacations to do solo and be a fun activity against a stunning backdrop of natural beauty; you are sure to have the time of your life. It can be daunting for first timers, but these tips will help you to master the slopes and ensure that you’ll be back again.

Other Winter Activities

Having a French Alps holiday may just be the escape that you need but if you think that all you can do in the Alps is ski, think again. Skiing is only part of the trip, so make sure that you go to après-ski sessions to make some new friends and enjoy everything that your resort has to offer for the complete experience. You can always swop your skis for one of these instead:

Snow tubing

If you don’t feel like going skiing, you can have fun snow tubing. This activity lets you experience a different kind of adrenaline rush, due to the level of difficulty in steering a rubber tubing on snow. Snow tubing has evolved as one of the favourite winter activities of both young and the young at heart.

Snow kiting

If you are a daredevil and love extreme sports, you may want to try snow kiting. This is where you use kite power to get around and it’s similar to kite surfing. It is definitely not for the faint hearted but it can give you the best bird’s eye view of the majestic Alps.

Snowshoeing

This form of hiking involves wearing snow shoes to walk on snow. It may take a while to get used to walking with snowshoes but it’s definitely a different kind of high.

Snow biking

If dirt biking is for muddy tracks, then there is also snow biking for snow-covered terrain. You can enjoy exploring different places in the French Alps using a snow bike.

Recommended Skiing Holidays in Europe

Bankso Ski Tours

If you’re looking for a tour company for your skiing trip, Travel Talk Tours are a company for 18 to 39 years olds. They offer skiing holidays to Bankso in Bulgaria from 4 days to 8 days depending on your budget. All of the packages include a tour guide, shuttle transfers and accommodation in either 3 or 4-star hotels (they have spa hotels too!). Also included are breakfast and dinner with unlimited wine and beer plus entertainment in the evenings. Perfect for solo travellers! 

* Check prices and availability for all Bankso ski trips 

France Ski Trips

If you prefer to ski in France, join one of their 7-day trips to Chamonix, Tignes or Val d’Isere. Chamonix and Val d’Isere are for beginners only making them perfect for solos who want to try skiing for the first time. Accommodation in France is in hostel accommodation. 

* Check prices and availability for all France ski trips

About The Author

Roxana is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. She is all about a healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. Being a typical Aussie, she often hits the waves and loves beaches and sunshine!. She is also one of the editors at Higstylife Magazine.