Possible resort for solo trip (intermediate old git)

Trying to pick resort for solo trip in mid-Jan. for middle-aged bloke firmly in the intermediate zone (blues and reds, not fussed with blacks). Looking for some decent skiing, 1/2 board or chalet accom and a few beers in the evening.

Had a look at various things coming up on the TO websites. Passo Tonale is the bargain basement, snow-sure option, but looks a little tame from the piste point of view (except pistes on glacier and those in the little resort next door whose name I have forgotten). Quite a bit on offer in AT - Rauris looks too small. Niederau available thru Inghams, and I have a strange desire to go there for reasons I cannot fathom. Few other AT resorts coming up at not too bad a price - Bad Hofgastein, Kaprun, Zell Am See, for example. Chalet available in La Plagne 1800. Also, some places available in Soldeu (which I skied about 20 years ago).

Anyone had experience of any of these areas, especially from the point of view of a solo trip?

Dobby, looking at your three listings, I will be returning to the Dolomites this season. I looked at Passo Tonali, but was told in no uncertain terms, by the second greatest skier in our house, (this view is contested), that "WE ARE GOING TO VAL DI FASSA".

Faced with such a degree of flexibility, how could I refuse?

Rauris is an area that I have put forward on many occasions as a good beginner resort.

Niederau. Hmm, not sure. I will be trying it, with my sons in mid January, (that will be 47 years, but just getting to know it).

Then, I would recommend Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Arrapahoe Basin, Copper, Whistler, Niederau.......

I guess a chalet is probably the easiest way to meet people although perhaps you are overthinking. Most resorts are full of people who are happy to share a run, beer, coffee, dinner.

In general I hate the faff/messing about involved with skiing with other people hence a good proportion of skiing will be done alone.

As for PT is actually not the worst but a very unremarkable ski resort. Not exactly pumping at night but then again the big resorts full of big British groups e.g. 3V are probably no that easy to meet people either.

Chalets def offer the option to meet people round the table (and thus decide if you want to ski with them)

Equally the big TOs are still doing "ski hosting" in places where they are not fighting the ESF so that's another chance to meet peeps - Ski Club of Great Britain does this too (at cost of joining)

However the point of your question was more around the resorts - I've never been solo skiing (other than for odd half days when the wife was a beginner and in ski school) but logically: single occupancy is going to be a big bump on the budget. I don't know if the TOs let you book one half of a twin in a chalet (or if you'd want to do such a thing with a, potential, serial killer in waiting).

Other thing about resort choice: as a solo skiier will you want lots of mileage to give you the sense of achievement (remember that you will cover ground significantly faster with only your own boot faffs, comfort breaks, tumbles etc to delay you) or do you think that won't matter as you'll take the opportunity to work hard on technique on your own so the same slopes will be a welcome comfort?

Personally I think I would be in the former camp (as I would def cover ground faster than when I'm with a group - less so if its just the wife as she's quicker than me) so would want somewhere with a lot of variety. Based on that, from what you have listed then La Plagne (with a full area pass) is the most mileage (never done it myself but heard good things - and the Vanoise Express looks cool).

Off to Soldeu ourselves in January with Inghams (nearly 20 years since I did it too) so we might well end up there together! Fair amount of ground to cover (not Paradiski/3V/EK levels but bigger than somewhere like Niederau).

Hope this has helped (even if its just to make you think "he's an idiot, I'll do the exact opposite"!)

This intermediate old git of similar level is going solo to Chantemerle (Serre Chevalier) mid January.

Hotel Lebzelter in the centre of Zell am See (excellent beginner/intermediate slopes)has single rooms and currently has some good offers. Lovely town with buzzing après-ski. Niederau (Wildschonau ski area) good for beginners and although the village is traditional and pretty, it doesn't have much going on in the evenings.
Tonale has good beginner/intermediate slopes but is an ugly resort with very little in the way of après-ski or atmosphere.
France not great for the solo skier unless you stay in a chalet where you will meet people-problem with that is you can't choose who you share with and you may find yourself sharing with people you don't want to!!
If I was to go on my own I would go to Austria but stay somewhere with lots going on as you are bound to meet people who are happy to ski with you.
Hope this helps....

I wouldn't go on my own. There are lots of opportunities on this forum (and others) to find a like minded person. Providing you are willing to room share the costs then become manageable. Join a group, like the Kaprun or La Thuile group here next year, as they will probably be able to pair you up.

Book yourself into a hotel in Val d'Isere from 17th Dec! You know you want to -)

Family BB would be very happy to show you the local watering holes and take you down Le Face at the end of day (with or without your skis attached!!)

Easy routes down from the mountain are available as per pic