Solo Travellers....what works best for you?

[Sarah - Pistepals Founder]

Just wanted to get a bit of an idea what other solo travellers found when they travel alone?

Are people nice to you?

Do you have to pay well over the odds in supplements?

Are chalets better than hotels?

How do you get out and meet people?

thanks!

sarah

[itsybitsy]

Hi Sarah

I have had occasion to go alone skiing - well that or don't go! I'm a 50ish female good intermediate, and I went to Macugnaga with Neilson, who don't go there anymore - alas. I picked this resort because it was :-
A) Small, and there would be a fair chance I would bump into people I recognized
B) No single supplement

I went for 3 years on my own and had a great time every year but it's hard work and you have to go out and get in with people which doesn't come naturally with me.

If I had to do it again I would still go for the small compact resort, not a straggly one like Livigno or a huge one like some of the French, I think it may be easier for a man, I was viewed by some with a certain amount of suspision (ohh a female on her own she must be after my husband!!!) but by and large by day 2 I had people to ski with and have made some lasting frienships through it.

I've also advertised twice on the Neilson board for companions and met and holidayed with some great people through that too.

Itsybitsy

[Sarah - Pistepals Founder]

Brilliant!

Yes i love Neilson too - especially the instructors!  I met some brilliant folk sailing last year, there were 5 single folk who i met up with and still keep in touch with plus two very lovely instructors who also made you feel like you weren't alone! (not that the rest didn't but those two were particularly good and i still keep in touch with them)

I was planning to take a two week holiday over xmas and new year and head for Dahab in Egypt for sailing then off to the slopes!  whew.  not cheap though huh!  might just have to stick with the skiing!

glad to hear you are enjoying yourself though - once you get past your own inhibitions the world is your oyster!  i'm just annoyed with myself for leaving it too long!

sarah

[andy]

Did 1 last minute trip to Mayrhofen with Inghams as a solo, and was in a hotel where you are allocated a dinner/breakfast table for the entire week.  Was handy that I was sharing table with a couple of other guys of similar age (but much more expert skiers than me).  Even though we didn't ski, it was better than a billy no mates at dinner.
After that, been to a catered chalet in Les Gets about 5 times as a solo.  Handy to have an "enforced" social dinnertime, and got on with everyone every time.  Skiied with most (at least for part of the week).  Never kept in contact with any, although by chance did end up at the same chalet with another guest from the previous year at the same time.
So I'd say catered chalet works best for me.  Didn't need to get out to socialise... since a like minded social group is virtually handed on a plate.  Maybe I've been lucky, and got on with all the other guests, but I guess part of that is due to it being a privately owned/run chalet, effectively with live-in chalet  staff and owners.

[Nigel]

People are generally nice to meet.
I always have to pay over the odds for holidays unless it is booked at last minute but still have to pay extra.

[edge2112]

Travelled to Courcheval two seasons ago with Neilson.  They have a chalet (for which read apartment) with two single rooms - one is at mezzanine level - funky.  I got the other with the only private shower/wc.
The group was fab, and so were the hosts/reps.  Best hol I've ever had.
Did ski-school too with scottish instructors (perfect 'english'), so had two sets of buddies to go drinking with afterwards.
Easy to do, because everyone had a common interest, and not dissimilar outlook on life etc.

Am trying to get to Whistler this year though, and it's looking tricky going solo...
Will try to let you know if I find anything.
In worst case, I'd go back to Courcheval.
Steve

[alpineclaud]

Hey everyone - just to let you know that our company, Planet Subzero, has accommodation across the Alps for people who travel on their own (or more to the point, whose friends have not seen the light yet!). We offer weekly, monthly and season long spaces in twin rooms - ie, no single supplement charges on us.

We pair people of the same gender together so you can split the price of a room and not have to part with a small fortune (having said that we also have a couple of single rooms in Courchevel - but not crazily priced!). Pay us a visit at www.planetsubzero.com. Our weekly holidays are based in Meribel. We offer month+ stays in Meribel, Courchevel, Les Arcs and Chamonix.

Happy season everyone!

[Stephen]

Cold Fusion chalets specialise exclusively for individual travellers and are based in the French Alps. 

With two luxury chalets in Chamonix accommodating up to 27 single travellers and another brand new 10 person chalet in Morzine this is the perfect option for ski holidays on your own with others to ski with in the day and socialise with in the evening.

Please visit our website at www.coldfusionchalets.co.uk or contact us on 08700 42 83 47 for more information!