Skiing alone

I am off to Val Thorens on Saturday :thumbup: However I am concerned :thumbdown:

After reading Snapzzz's thread and also a bit of chat it is clear that without lessons he would not have gone to half the places he has been this week. It sounds great.

I do not have any lessons, my OH is having lessons in the morning - at that time I will be alone, then together for a gentle stroll in the afternoon.

Should I be forking out and having some lessons to get to know the area or just go and try it myself? This is the first time i have skied VT alone - last time it was with my dad & family so we explored together.

I will go on the social skiing on the Sunday provided by Crystal, but that is only once a week. Would a private lesson suffice and say, "teach me off piste for 2 hours"

Dunno what to do :roll:

Icy, I think you are starting in the wrong place. This is not about skiing alone, that is not really an issue.

The issue is, do you want, or need lessons? Is there a new level or ambition that you want or need to attain?

Make that decision first. Then think about skiing on your tod. I am fortunate to do this for a few weeks each year, prior to a further trip with the light of my life. I love skiing alone. I get to spend a bit of stoppage time each day, sketching alpine views. Then I toddle off and do what I want to do. Drive to another valley, and do a totally new area. Ski over to the next village on the last run, and meet some old friends.

Things in the right order. Lessons? If not, then go free skiing.

Hi Icy,

If your only reason for considering lessons is to get to know the area and make best use of your time (since making choices in a huge ski area can be difficult if you are not very familiar with it), then maybe instead of paying for the lessons you could follow some *available* ski-itineraries?

Have you looked at this page, for example: http://www.valthonet.com/ski/area/itineraries.html
--- And what's nice in these given itineraries is that they break them down between morning and afternoon, so you get a good idea what can you ski during the morning before meeting with your OH at lunch time.

Have a great time! :)

Hi Icy.....
If Dave is right and you want to extend your skiing by learning new things then have a lesson or three.
If Cat is right and it is just about some people to ski with, company, shared experience, shared "where are we going" etc then there are a couple of things to try.

But firstly.....
Do you enjoy skiing alone? I do. I love skiing with friends and casual acquaintances (and have hugely enjoyed hosting in the past)and I love skiing alone. Even on the J2Ski trip last year I skied on my own some of the time and loved it.

Firstly - what is your accommodation? Are you likely to find some like minded skiers in your accommodation? I have had success with this in Chalet Hotels in the past.
Two - go out with the Crystal tour and suss out the rest. If there are people who are of your sort of skier level then have a chat - see if you could bare skiing with them for the morning. Ask! As you have skied the area recently you may be quite popular with some others who are new to the area.

I am a single skier quite often as MrsOA doesn't ski and manage to hook up with others when I feel like it with a little planning, thought and am quite happy to ask if people would mind if I joined them.

Anyway - I'm sure you will have a great time.

Hi iceman

I'm a great fan of lessons in general and will always have a couple of 2-3 hour private lessons during the week.

Keeps technique sharp and also has the "Mountain Guide" element too

I'm off to VT the week after you, also with Crystal, and will be interested to hear of what you make of their "social skiing" with a real instructor

Enjoy L3V - great area that I've done a couple of times before

Sorry for the non reply, bloomin last daay in work means I have to do exactly that!

Dave - I dont WANT lessons, but thought it might be a route to get ski buddies. I dont class myself as such an expert that I cant improve, but I have no aspirations to do it.

Cat - Will look at that, seems interesting :)

OA - I do enjoy skiing alone, dont have fear of it. I am staying in a chalet (small one - 12 peeps I think). I have been to VT many times so know the area quite well.

Had a chat with OH last night about it and she said she would encourage me to spend a day on my own and ski to courcheval from VT and not worry about getting back to see her - :thumbup: She might also drop ski school one day so we can go explore, maybe bob over to Orelle in the 4th valley.

I will take OA advice, do the social skiing and speak to people - all that free wine in the chalet will certainly help things along I imagine!!

AndyO -I am considering pvt lessons, but they are always after the ski school finishes.

This time tomorrow, I will be there :thumbup:

Iceman -

I've had PVT lessons at all times of the day, if there is an instructor free (and outside of a school holiday week there will be) then you can book them

Orelle is a lovely trip out - the black down from the Cime Caron cable car is tricky though so you'll probably want to go via Rosael with the OH. Theyve apparently replaced the old slow lift at Peyron so much less chance of freezing to death that side

Courchevel and back is quicker than you think - I did it a few years ago on only blues (beginners with me) which is a ball aches as you have to go practically to St Martin before you cross to Meribel - but we still made Courchevel by 11:30ish on a 9 start. A single skiier, going straight over the red down into Meribel from the top of Col de la Chambre can be there in an hour I'd say

Where you staying (just wondering if its same as us)?

Look forward to hearing all about it - and leave me some snow for next week!!!!

Just my 2p's worth.

I loved my lessons, had a great time and as Icy says i skied places i never would have skied alone. Mind you my bases are gonna need some attention due to the rock scrambling to access the great powder.
I doubt the social skiing will inspire you but you will obviously meet other people that are likely in the same boat as you. And also a chalet environment is going to introduce you to others too.

Personally i would never have private lessons unless i had a specific agenda. The social side of group lessons adds value IMHO.