The rise of the solo ski holiday – and how to do it whatever your age
Going skiing on your own sounds daunting, but in reality it doesn’t have to be about pitching up in a resort not knowing a soul. A solo ski holiday done right will not only give you time in the mountains exploring at your own pace but can improve your skills and help you make new friends at any stage of life.
They are not just for singletons or romantics on the lookout for a partner – a solo ski trip is about a shared passion for snowsports and meeting like-minded others. They are equally as popular with skiers whose partners don’t ski, or might not match on skill level, as with skiers who want to focus on improving their technique, learn a new skill – or those who just want to get away to the mountains on a last-minute break when no friends can join.
Never has there been more interest in going solo. Google searches for solo travel have surged in recent years and this has translated into bookings. AITO, The Specialist Travel Association, reported that the number of people holidaying alone rose to 27 per cent in 2023, with women leading the trend. Recent research by comparison website Kayak also found 42 per cent of Britons plan to go on a solo trip in 2025.
It’s a trend that’s influencing ski holidays, too. Specialist ski operator Heidi reports a 63 per cent rise in solo ski bookings this year compared with last. “Ski holidays really suit solo travellers,” said Alexander Blunt, the co-founder of Heidi. “If you just want some time out, you can, of course, ski independently. But if you want to meet new people and improve your skiing at the same time, by signing up to group lessons, you’ll meet new people that you can ski with every day, or join a course.”
And it’s skiers of every age taking the plunge; Google searches for “ski holidays for single people over 40” have surged by roughly 900 per cent, while Richard Sinclair, CEO of SNO, claims solo travel among Millennials and Gen X is “now more of a movement rather than a mere trend.” Freshtracks, an operator owned by the Ski Club of Great Britain, attracts primarily solo bookings, with up to 90 per cent of customers travelling on their own. In Verbier, Switzerland, ski instructor Warren Smith said the majority of clients on his academy courses come alone — especially those doing instructor training.
Solo ski specialists are reporting a booming trade, while chalet and mainstream tour operators are introducing dedicated solo weeks to cater for demand – many now regularly waiving single supplement fees to make travelling alone more affordable. There are now dozens of solo ski and snowboard groups on social media, which act as forums for members who join together to plan trips, ask advice and make new connections.
So how do you go about skiing on your own this winter? Whether it’s going to a festival, taking a course, or booking an organised solo holiday – here are the solutions to your solo skiing dilemma, whatever your age.
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Pre-30
The challenge
This is a hectic time of life, when budgets are stretched, friendship groups split and romantic relationships chop and change. Some skiers find themselves solo because friends continue to take advantage of family holidays or are unable to take time off work or study for a trip to the mountains, or wanting to learn skiing for the first time. This age group has as much energy for après as for the slopes, so signing up for a trip to one of the many Alpine ski and music festivals is a good option.
The solution
A ski festival
Soft Life Ski (softlifeski.com) is an Afro-Caribbean ski festival co-founded by Michael Adelaja after a ski trip with five friends in 2022. Interest has been phenomenal, with the March 2024 event selling out within 28 minutes. “Skiing is not really popular in black and ethnic communities, and people haven’t known how to get started,” said Michael. “Our solo travel group chat connects people beforehand, so is less daunting.” Five nights in Laax, Switzerland, costs from £929, including B&B, dinner on five nights, lift pass, equipment hire and access to events, excluding travel, arriving March 30.
Learn to love ski holidays
Crystal Ski Holidays (020 3451 2821; crystalski.co.uk) runs a selection of Slope Starters beginners’ weeks for people wanting to try skiing and snowboarding for the first time, but who don’t want to be alone. The first-timers’ weeks include flights, transfers, accommodation, lift pass, equipment hire, lessons and other activities, so it is also good for those on a budget, as all costs are paid up front and transparent. One week half-board at the Sport Hotel in Soldeu, Andorra, costs from £995, departing January 4 2025.
30s
The challenge
Single supplements remain one of the biggest barriers to solo travel, whatever your age, so moving into your 30s going skiing with a company that actively pairs up travellers to share rooms is a good option. At this age, some skiers may be going it alone because of divorce or having a partner at home taking care of children – or it could be that they have different ski skills. They might be single and still hoping to meet a partner with shared interests — the average age of marriage in Britain is now late-30s for opposite-sex couples. Look for a big, lively ski area with lots to do and see for all abilities.
The solution
The Ski Gathering (0033 450 797522; theskigathering.com) offers solo skiers of all levels the chance to share (same-sex) rooms in budget-friendly chalet holidays, with a focus on socialising. The setting is deliberately casual, allowing you to do as much or as little as you would like with the group, whether on the slopes or in the bar afterwards. There is no afternoon tea, but après-ski is actively encouraged. A week in Les Gets costs from £495, including chalet board for five nights, unlimited beer and wine, excluding travel, arriving March 23 2025.
Among its catalogue of ski trips, Solos Holidays (020 8951 2900; solosholidays.co.uk) hosts off-piste skiing adventures in the Les Diablerets, Switzerland, for experienced skiers looking to push their limits – perfect for those whose partner may not match their skill level. A week’s ski tour costs from £2,359, half-board, in a single occupancy room, including flights, transfers, four days of guided tuition, equipment hire, departing March 1 2025.
40-50s
The challenge
This is a busy and stressful time of life, when skiers want to go on holiday to the mountains, but without all the hassle. Busy work and home lives translate into little appetite for sharing a room, too. Often, new divorcees need a confidence boost, as do singletons. Research shows that women in this age bracket can feel intimidated on the slopes by male companions, so it’s worth seeking out specialist operators who will help you out.
The solution
SingleSport (0118 9842755; singlesport.com) hosts group ski holidays often staying at Club Med all-inclusive properties in the Alps. Founder Ruth Paul prides herself on removing the hassle of solo trips to the slopes and sets up pre-departure WhatsApp groups so guests can meet up, and often pair their airport parking and extras. Ruth is clear her company is not a dating agency though; many guests have partners at home who do not share their love of skiing. A week’s all-inclusive with Club Med in La Plagne costs from £1,991, in a single room, including flights, transfers, lessons or guiding and lift pass, departing March 16 2025.
WoW Ski Tours (0141 404 6493; wowskitours.com) specialises in women-only ski trips in the gourmet capital of the Dolomites, Alta Badia. Co-founder Lizzie Russell, who lives in Italy and skis with guests each day, says: “We do everything for our guests, so there’s no ski maps needed, no language barrier. We make it easy so they just have fun.” A week in a four-star hotel, half-board, costs from £2,999, including transfers, equipment hire, an hour each day with an instructor, on-slope guiding and welcome aperitivo, on various dates throughout the season.
60s and 70s
The challenge
In this age demographic, new and seasoned retirees have more time, and often money, on their hands. Some life-long skiers find their partners and previous skiing friends no longer able or willing to join them in the mountains. While no longer wanting frenzied aprés-ski, it’s still fun to have people to socialise with, and also to enjoy far-flung adventurous trips with. Tastes change, too. It is no longer necessary to pay a premium for a busy, social resort but instead choose one with good dining options and a more relaxed vibe.
The solution
Cold Fusion Chalets (0033 670 560 676; coldfusionchalets.co.uk) has organised sell-out solo trips for all ages for more than 20 years in both Chamonix and Serre Chevalier, France, with a number of popular trips that cater specifically to guests aged 50 to 80. Holidays combine adventure and relaxation from a catered chalet for novices and seasoned skiers alike, with a choice of optional excursions available alongside group meals. A week in a catered chalet in Chamonix costs from £949, including transfers, in-resort transport to and from the slopes and assistance from the Cold Fusion Team, on various dates throughout the season.
The Ski Club of Great Britain (020 8410 2022; skiclub.co.uk) makes travelling to ski resorts solo an easy choice, offering group ski sessions and organised après-ski meet-ups in selected resorts with a designated club rep. The Ski Club Freshtracks programme has specially selected holidays for older members aged over 60, called Peak Experience, with a range of holidays from relaxed tomore adventurous. A Pyrenean Powder Adventure costs from £2,695, half-board, including flights, transfers, lift pass and mountain guides for advanced and expert skiers over 60, departing February 8 2025.
Meet the solo skiers enjoying adventures on the slopes
Lydia Seeley, 26
Joined her first solo holiday in Les Gets with The Ski Gathering in 2023, and has been hooked ever since
“I went [skiing] on my own in 2023 because I was a beginner and didn’t have the confidence to go with my friends, as most are more advanced — or they go with their families — so I wanted to learn properly… For me, this type of holiday was great because I was [travelling] alone and everyone [in the group] was doing the same thing. It wasn’t like sharing a chalet with couples and families. You have a group to do things with, but you’re not forced.”
Justine McMenemy, 38
Does multiple solo trips each winter, both with operators and under her own steam
“I’m single, and self-employed, and all my friends have had babies, and work can be unpredictable – which makes it hard to schedule. I’m a competent skier, so taking my beginner pals on the odd green can leave me feeling a bit cheated… My top tips for going solo would be don’t expect your trip to be the same as going when you travel with others — your aprés will be different, you probably won’t have a fondue but you won’t have to wait for anyone and will probably rack up more mileage on the slopes. And if you go with a group you don’t know — be humble. You quickly realise who’s over-egged their abilities over dinner the night before.”
Louise Waldron, 53
Went on an off-piste course in Klosters last season on her own
“I have skied with family and friends for years but needed more of a challenge, as my husband definitely doesn’t want to stray from the piste. As I have got older I have come to realise I want a bigger life in the future, not one that gets smaller because friends and family don’t want to join me for various reasons. I wasn’t too nervous about not knowing the other members of the group. As a group we bonded over moments of success, new achievements and the staggeringly beautiful scenery. I left Klosters with amazing memories, new skills and an appetite for more touring and off-piste adventures.”
Andy Coleman, 70
Went on an over-50s week with Cold Fusion
“I started skiing as a child and have had a few gaps, but began going 20 years ago with the same group of friends every year, with more time on my hands since retiring 11 years ago. My ski companions are now finding it harder, so I wanted to find another way of carrying on skiing until I inevitably have to stop. I went on my first solo over 50s holidays with Cold Fusion in 2022. We all got on really well and it was one of my most memorable holidays.”
