So you've decided you're going to ski no matter what Good for you! That's the kind of energy we love. But where do you start and what are your options? Here at Snowclans we are The Solo Ski People, so we've spent a lot of time researching this and that's why we started in the first place. You may have already been on a solo ski holiday and you're thinking about trying something new or maybe you've never even been and you're starting completely afresh. In this we will cover your main options and the pros and cons to each. Whatever you choose, you're in luck, at Snowclans we provide them all so browse the site when you're done and join for updates. How to go on a solo ski holiday Specialist companies Group ski holidays for solo travellers Are there companies that are specialising in organised holidays for Solo skiers? Yes! And I've been a customer of a few. These options are great because you know everyone you meet will be in the same boat, ready to have a social week and ski with new people. These range from social trips which focus on providing a group of fellow skiers in one chalet or hotel, right up to amazing adventures and chances to tour new areas or learn new skills. Adventure holidays Aren't for those who are looking for a slower paced holiday Instruction/ guidance adds some cost Social holiday Cons Basically - it's limited choice If you're simply looking for a social trip, the range of resorts that they cater for is limited Budget and accommodation range limited Who you're going with pot luck These arn't all singles ski holidays if that's what you're looking for Finding options that suit you is the difficult part, but never fear... We list them on our trip pages so have done the leg work for you and we keep updating as we find more. Package Holidays We know, we know, package holidays are the easiest way to book a holiday and they often come with some great money saving deals. Alas, the world is simply not built for solos and the same goes for the ski industry. The vast majority of big Ski Holiday providers base their products on 2 sharing for rooms or per person pricing for larger properties. That means a single person can't browse their websites looking for an all inclusive and know how much they will pay, they're always left waiting on responses and it makes it a lot harder to compare lots of options. Check out our blog for some features of the best providers that you can browse. ​ Self Build Another option is building the holiday yourself, the world is your oyster, you can flex every element to your needs. Whilst it has the potential to be overwhelming it offers some great opportunities for exploring new areas, traveling on less busy off peak days, going for more or less than a week, the list goes on. We could build an entire website on your options (and we are) so join us and you'll be kept updated as we launch guides to different resorts and areas. For now follow us on socials for a constant stream of hints, tips, new areas, transfer options etc. What are the accommodation options for solos? Chalets - Shared Chalets ('Hotel style") Not very common​ Hard to find and browse availability Often still sold on a per-person / based on 2 people sharing price = always waiting for an inquiry to be answered. Search our collection here where we have clear single occupancy policy and prices. Chalet hotels Bigger than chalets and therefore less personal and harder to integrate with others Great all-in catering options for ease of planning and value Easier to find on 3rd party booking sites See this post on the difference with shared chalets Hotels Provide a more 'connected' and social feel than self catering accommodation Who doesn't like a buffet breakfast??? Single supplements are extortionate Single room availability is rare. Apartments Kitchens to self cater to keep costs down Studios in smaller resorts offer better accommodation value vs hotels Least social interaction of all the options Finding other people to ski with You may have found yourself here because you're in the position where you don't actually know anyone else who skis or for various reasons you don't want to or can't go with them if you do. What about if you're trying to change that? If you're lucky you might have a local dry slope or snow centre with a Ski Club, have a quick google. If that isn't an option, you can trawl the key forums e.g. SnowHeads or Various Facebook groups As ever with the internet, it is a minefield: Informal group bookings on forums and Facebook groups aren't always comfortable for everyone Facebook groups move on quick so adverts are lost and are hard to search Some people are tw*ts - I personally had my posts deleted by a homophobic admin who had nothing better to do with his life than prevent me from finding people to ski with. They often require a lot of back and forth to find out all of the information It's not centralised - not everyone is everywhere There's no space provided for organising etc. on the platform. That's why we built our community pages Find ride buddies Buddy adverts are distinct, permanent adverts See all the information upfront Each has their own discussion room You can direct message the advertiser Communities Based off life stage or riding ability, our aim is to bring like-minded riders together These are discussion rooms like you would find on Facebook, so drop a message and introduce yourself. Whatever you choose, good luck! We hope you make it out to the slopes. If you'd like our help, use our Travel planning service. For now follow us on socials for a constant stream of hints, tips, new areas, transfer options etc.

There’s 2 types of non-skiing partner, those who want to and those who don’t (or can’t) We assume have you lead with how stunning it is in the mountains? or how great the food is? Don’t want to ski (or are physically unable) There’s way more to ski resorts than just skiing. Ski resorts are perfect for big kids, there’s plenty of other active ways to enjoy yourself that don’t require hours of learning to enjoy. Fat biking, snow shoeing, tobogganing, paragliding, dog sledding, horse drawn carriages…If you have a partner who doesn’t want to learn and maybe a couple of friends, why not convince them of a different winter adventure together? Go to areas where they invest a lot in making themselves well rounded, like La Plagne. At Snowclans we have a fair few chalets in Plagne 1800 which is right in the middle of it all. Buses serve all the La Plagne villages so it’s easy to get around and check out everything there is to offer. For those who can’t indulge or don’t like the active life - they can relax with some stunning views.. There’s also the Spa visits, hugely common in a lot of resorts. We will admit, if you have physical disabilities, accessibility isn't always #1 priority in Ski resorts, but it can be done. Ski schools in larger areas can have adaptive snowsport instructors for things like Sit-Skis. Learn more at Disability Snowsport UK. Can’t Ski - Yet Some partners are new to it, but keen to learn, there are ways both of you can get the most out of your ski holiday together. Although marketed as ‘Solos ski holidays’, a lot of “solos” chalet holidays are popular with mixed ability couples and friends. The chalet almost inevitably ends up having someone at your level to ski with, whilst your partner goes to ski school. You’re safe in the knowledge that everyone is there for a social ski holiday, so happy to buddy up and ski together, and you can meet up for apres ski. If you have an independent partner, some Solos providers even have beginners weeks to send them off to, whilst you join another solo trip of your choice at your level, maybe even getting that time off piste or trying touring whilst your partner catches up. All shared chalets have the potential to facilitate this too, but when not focused on Solos it’s more pot-luck on if you’ll have extroverted people who are happy for you to team up with them. We find that the type of people who choose a social setting like a Chalet are more likely to be open to this! Regardless of the type of non-skier… Shared Ski Chalets are a great accommodation option. Ski chalets offer that ‘home away from home’ comfort - during the day big lounges, cosy fires and entertainment facilities would be quiet for them to relax in peace. PLUS you don’t have to lift a finger as all catering and cleaning is done for you, making it the most relaxing holiday option. Who wants to be cooped up in a hotel room, or have to do all the cooking and cleaning themselves in a studio or apartment? Not everyone is a first lift, last run kind of skier, your Chalet-mates could take some time out to relax off the slopes too. Strike up a conversation and you might just find a new bar buddy, scenic stroller or shop browser to enjoy a few hours with. If all else fails - Just go without them As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Snowclans was built for people who love skiing and won't let a lack of available friends and family hold them back, we have the solution for you to go on your own if your negotiations fail. The holidays range from socials to niche tours and guided holidays so there’s something for everyone, and if you don’t want a specialist group to join, our shared chalets are a great accommodation option that lets you socialise if you wish. If you don’t find something that fits, fill in our demand form Sign up to get all the Shared Chalet deals that suit you straight to your inbox here with our demand form See you on the slopes!

& How can I get there without spending a fortune? Over 400km of slopes, this huge area split into 3 key zones. #1 tip is to check the piste map when planning your trip, make sure you are happy with: How quickly you can connect to the area, if there are beginner slopes if needed, the return slopes suit your level or will be snow-sure depending on when you go in the season etc. Paradiski comprises of Les Arcs & Peisey Vallandry on one hand and La Plagne on the other, separated by a valley in which Peisey sits. The 2 areas are connected by the modern wonder of engineering that is the Vanoise Express: 200 people in a double decker gondola that crosses the huge valley in under 4 min The different areas have very different aesthetics, so do your research if that is important to your trip. Les Arcs One of the easiest areas to access by train especially Arcs 1600 resort: For Les Arcs 1600 / 1800 / 1950/ 2000 you get off at Bourg st. Maurice and get the funicular straight up to Arc 1600.Staying in Arc 1600 means no need for buses or taxis. Shuttle buses are then available to ship you off to the other areas quickly and efficiently throughout the day and night. NOTE: Although not clear on the piste maps, there’s a half way stop on the funicular. Properties calling themselves Arc 1600 may be in Courbaton or Les Granges, which are small areas below Arc 1600. When snow is available you can use the runs down to midway and get the funicular up to 1600 instead of making your way up by foot or car. These often offer very good value vs. staying in the main resorts. Want access to Les Arcs + The traditional alpine feel (And often more value for money)? Villaroger has access to Arc 2000 by way of 2 chairlifts up from the small village. Tucked up at 1200m just off the access valley on the way to Tignes and Val d’isere, it’s only 15 min from Bourg st. Maurice so a relatively cheap taxi from the station gets you intimate chocolate box tranquillity with access to a huge domain. If you are driving you can even explore the world famous resorts of Val d’Isère, Tignes, Sainte Foy and La Rosiere ( Ski to Italy) all within 20min. See one of our charming chalets in the pictures here. Peisey Vallandry Get the train to Landry and a shuttle bus or quick taxi down the valley to Le Villaret (Peisey). Nestled in the valley there’s a lot of charming accommodation and all the necessary selection of shops and bars, you access the ski area with a novel open air lift LONZAGNE. The cable car provides a free link to the resort of Peisey-Vallandry/les Arcs (Plan-Peisey) in 7min. From which you can choose to ski Les Arcs or hop directly on the Vanoise Express to La Plagne side. An excellent base for those who want to hit every corner of the Paradiski area. If some of your party enjoys Nordic skiing rather than throwing themselves downhill, up the valley by regular shuttle is the Nordic area in Nancroix. La Plagne Accessing La Plagne Get the train to Aime-La-Plagne (closest at the foot of the mountain) or Moutiers and prepare yourself for an additional shuttle bus or taxi from the valley. La Plagne is split into 11 different “Villages” or areas so it’s very important you check which one you’re going to be staying in. The tourist board and companies in La Plagne work hard to provide a plethora of things to do on and off skis for everyone, so it is an exciting place to visit. This site has a lot of very useful information on shuttle buses and up to date resort maps to help you figure out where’s best for you. https://en.la-plagne.com/discover/download-our-brochures?village The majority of catered chalets in La Plagne are in Plagne 1800, the access point to the sprawling bowl in the heart of the La Plagne area: Plagne centre / Plagne Soleil / Plagne Aime 2000 / Plagne Villages. Champagny en Vanoise Champagny en Vanoise has access to Paradiski from another valley completely (the one leading to the 3 valleys actually) that can be accessed from Moutiers. Chalets and Chalet apartments built into the side of the mountain, this is a very aesthetically pleasing resort to stay in whilst accessing the huge La Plagne and wider Paradiski area. Well how do I plan all these Trains and Buses? We know navigating these is a lot more difficult than just booking a taxi, but throwing money at the problem isn’t possible or preferable for everyone, and trains especially take the pain of being stuck in traffic on peak transfer days. Train all the way If you are close to / in London then you can get a train all the way there with Eurostar for maximum convenience: See this guide by Snowcarbon Train + Train From the train station you will need Altibus, unless taking the funicular at Bourg. Fly + Train Easiest to use https://www.thetrainline.com/ rather than navigate the french rail sites. Chambéry Rail Station is 10 mins by taxi from the airport. Then you can get a direct train to any of the Paradiski stations. Lyon - Get the Shuttle train from airport to center, it's a tram shuttle service that goes between Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport and Lyon Part-Dieu. The express train runs every 15 minutes and the journey takes precisely 29 minutes each way. Lyon to Bourg requires a change at Chambery. Fly + Bus There’s buses from Lyon and Geneva to the Paradiski area. https://www.altibus.com/en/ -This route is run by Altibus, as are many of the routes within the area. Chambery is the closest airport, however at time of publishing we cannot confirm the Bus service.

You may be researching your next winter holiday and have come across these different options and are left wondering, well, what's the difference? Here we clear this up and give you some insight to understand what's the best option for your next ski holiday. Chalet Hotel Chalet Hotels are sold room-by-room all season, a chalet hotel is a hotel by any other name hosting from 25 people up to 130+. Although some do have a less formal atmosphere than the average hotel, the service is less personal than a chalet. Common areas less intimate and convivial as the line with the public access can be blurred. Some, if not all, have more formal bar and dining areas where parties eat separately, with half board the most popular option. Ski Chalets Stand-alone properties or apartments. Most commonly booked as a whole - Shared is possible Spectrum of services available from self-catered and hands off to fully catered including drinks (with one day off for staff). Sizes range from 6-8 people at their smallest to 20 at their biggest, which is often where the line blurs with Chalet hotels. House-like layout with big open plan living and dining areas. Many have premium features to help you relax such as games rooms, cinema rooms, hot hubs, saunas and even private swimming pools when you get seriously high end. Small staff dedicated to the running of the chalet from morning to night. If you don’t have enough people in your party to fill a chalet, you might think a Chalet hotel is your next best option, but it’s not! Shared chalets allow you all the home away from home luxury and attentive service, as well as a ready made social atmosphere. What’s the difference between a Chalet hotel and a shared ski chalet? A lot! Size As we said before, ski chalets are often smaller, so there’s a maximum of 20 people in one property and on average it's more like 12-14. These are sold by the room or, more rarely, by the bed. Some chalets operate on a hybrid model, where some weeks are by the room and some sold sole occupancy. Here at Snowclans we have a mixture of seasonal shared chalets and exclusive shared weeks, but all are sold room by room and display clear per person or per room pricing. Food & Drink 99% of shared chalets are fully catered, this means all your food and drink is covered for the week in the price, bar lunches and one evening out, which really takes the guesswork out of budgeting. Chalet hotels can offer half board but this rarely includes drinks or the amount of courses and extras you get in a catered chalet. Dining in shared chalets is done all together on one or two large tables, combining groups. Catered options go above and beyond many hotels as standard; Daily changing 3+ course set menus, afternoon tea set up for when you get back home and often help-yourself soft drink options all day. Most chalets at the very least have alcohol included with meals, and some extend to having honesty bars or being completely all inclusive. Atmosphere Catered Chalets invite a communal and social atmosphere, they are set up to be shared due to their smaller size and more “homely” layout. Relaxing in the evening or during the day is much more comfortable, with small numbers of people sharing common areas it’s a lot easier to feel at home. Your room is also a lot quicker to access if you want anything, and to move between the two feels less distinct. This is especially amazing for non-skiers or those who prefer less time on the hill, they get the chalet to themselves for the majority of the day! You wont get that comfort without forking out for a suite or a nice apartment. Facilities Premium hotel facilities shared with less people? Yes please. It's common place for shared ski chalets to have hot tubs and saunas to rest tired muscles. Games consoles, board games, football tables are all common place too, giving you a chance to mingle and relax. If you're really lucky there's cinema rooms and in-house bookable spa treatments. Kids For those who worry about mixing with children, there’s a very easy way to avoid them - don’t go during school holidays (and save yourself a lot of money). In addition to that, a lot of chalets clearly state whether children/babies are welcome in mid-low season and will let you know who the sharing parties are. Chalets open to children regularly have a separate children's meal time so parents can enjoy theirs in relative peace. It’s free entertainment for kids to mix with other families, which makes your evening a lot less hands on. Parents also have less to worry about in terms of security and can let them roam the Chalet, which often has 2 living areas, one of which ends up being overtaken by children. Don’t forget that Nanny services can be hired in-chalet. Like the sound of this? Seen a picture you like? Check out our range of shared chalets

What ski specialists can you use to book a package solo ski holiday? Right now the UK Ski holiday market sits around 50:50 to book a package or self-build ski holiday, with Solo’s tending to choose self-build more often. Why is that? It's a no-brainer, an all inclusive package is the quickest and easiest way to book, and a lot of people would pay for this convenience if they could. However, not all operators have thought through the individual skier experience, making it just as much of a pain to book through them as it is to self build. Read more about all your options as a solo skier or snowboarder in our blog here, or why not try one of our offerings below - SnowClans is built specifically for you: Shared Chalets, Trips & Tours, Ride Buddy Meet ups. However, if you're set on booking your own holiday, read on... Here we’ve looked at some of the top online ski-tour operators and rated them on how easy it is to buy an off-the-shelf ski holiday (ideally without having to interact with another human, as the trend is now days) The key things I am thinking about are Can you search for 1 person holidays in the first place? Are you shown the full price for 1 person straight away (True per person pricing) How many options are there? Ski Packages for Singles (Travel + Accommodation + Extras) Ranked Highest -> Lowest WeSki www.weski.co.uk Online only non-traditional tour operator Good all-in pricing options (can include Passes, equipment, Transfer etc) Flexible departures & duration 1 person search True per person pricing in search Lots of choice & UX that gives you resort information to inform choice within search Cons: Have to choose a resort to browse Sunweb https://www.sunweb.co.uk/ Online only non-traditional tour operator Lift pass often included in price Flexible departures & duration 1 person search True per person pricing in search Lots of choice Heidi https://www.heidi.com/ (Formerly Ski Zoom) 1 person search Flexible departures & duration True per person pricing in search Lots of choice Iglu Ski https://www.igluski.com/guides/ski-holiday-types/single-rooms Travel + Accommodation Flexible departures & duration True per person pricing in search Lots of choice Solos page doesn’t do it justice Suggest Club Med first of all Then list some accommodation options with no further context Select one of them - all based on pp sharing We recommend you search via the home page Crystal Ski https://www.crystalski.co.uk/solo-ski-holidays/ Travel + Accommodation Solos page give suggestions and also options with true single person pricing True per person pricing in search Inghams https://www.inghams.co.uk/ Travel + Accommodation Shows one person pricing for hotels / B&Bs For apartments it displays per person in search, so you have to click through to booking to see the under-occupancy charges add up to. Ski World https://www.skiworld.co.uk/single-travellers Suggests shared catered ski chalets Clicking through to their suggested accommodation still sends you to a page with a search that has 2 people sharing as default But does do actual 1 person pricing when you use the search Sno https://www.sno.co.uk/ski/solo/ Travel + Accommodation Lists single person pricing holidays on the page Able to filter Major con: Can’t book online Ski Line https://www.skiline.co.uk/ Travel + Accommodation No single person pricing on the search - all holidays pp based on full occupancy and you have to enquire. Neilson https://www.neilson.co.uk/ski/solo-ski-holidays Travel + Accommodation Gives you one suggestion Search does give you true single person pricing Options only seem to be limited - 4 results Mark Warner Holidays https://www.markwarner.co.uk/ski-holidays/singles Suggests their chalet hotels (2 options) Very limited suggestions Chalet hotels do offer a slightly more intimate experience depending on their size Ski Solutions https://www.skisolutions.com/solo-ski-holidays Doesn’t even have a 1 person search function All options at the bottom of the page are based on 2 people sharing? Have to enquire for anything Snow finders https://www.snowfinders.co.uk/ Quite bizarre set up - can’t search by number of people Then shows pricing pp based on sharing Club Med https://www.clubmed.co.uk/l/ski-holidays/ski-hub/singles-skiing Dedicated page talks about solo skiing but doesn't give options Very confusing site Can’t just search for skiing holiday packages? Seem to have to go on each resort / property in turn? Does give true pp pricing when you look at an individual property Are there any we missed? Can we just not use a website? Have things changed? Let us know in the comments below. Read more about all your options as a solo skier or snowboarder in our blog here, or why not try one of our offerings - SnowClans is built specifically for you: Shared Chalets, Trips & Tours, Ride Buddy Meet ups

Maybe you're ski-friendless, maybe your partner doesn't ski, maybe you are just branching out because you can't possibly admin another group trip or you just want to go more often than your friends and family. There's lots of reasons people choose a solo ski holiday, you are not alone. First things first This is a great opportunity! Technically you can go wherever you want, when you want, at your budget, with no one to consider but yourself. I am going to focus on skiing in Europe with my advice here. Those of you who've never skied or snowboarded before, please visit the blog for more posts. What are your holiday options then? Finding a solo-friendly social holiday Find a course/trip Find a ride-buddy before you go Going alone – Package trip Going alone – Self Build Solo-Focused Social Ski Holidays Like I said, you’re not alone! There’s a few companies that offer Ski holidays specifically for solo and single skiers and snowboarders wanting a social experience. The formula is often the same: Chalet or hotel with rooms on a single or shared basis, catered, with meals taken together as a group to offer the opportunity to mingle, and the expectation that people will ski together. The weeks can vary from any-ability social holidays to ability-specific weeks, age specific or some are more like courses that offer guiding/instruction as part of the package. Pros: A ready built group to ski with Guaranteed they’re all in the same boat and want the same thing Enjoy a catered chalet experience Cons Only in specific resorts (Last look the companies cover only about 5 different resorts in the alps, mainly France) Restricted to specific dates Not for the overly budget conscious Go to our Social Only Trips page to see the range on offer! We will be updating this over the summer with next season dates as they launch Group Ski & Snowboard Courses and Guided Ski Tours These differ to the Solo-Focused Ski Holidays in that they are not specifically targeted to solo travelers, they are there to facilitate learning a specific skill or exploring a certain part of the world with the help of trained experts and guides. It just so happens that you book per person and join a group of people, who are quite often other solos or couples and small groups. They offer the opportunity for socialising as well as exploring or improving your skills. There’s a plethora of courses out there, and it can be incredibly time consuming to surf the entire internet…Luckily for you, we’ve done the work for you. SnowClans has the biggest listing of Ski and Snowboard courses on the internet We will be updating this over the summer with the next season dates as they get announced There’s the things you’d expect and the things you’d not ever considered Brushing up on your skills to tackle the Black runs with confidence? Trying a bit of off piste? Learn park riding? Or Why not a Sail & Ski trip around the Norwegian Isles? Learn to Powder Ski in Japan? What about Cat-Skiing in Georgia? Split board touring? Pros You’re certainly going to have people to ski with You’re going to learn a lot Way more options on location and price Get to choose your own accommodation on some Cons Not all of them are packages with accommodation, which means more admin Without accommodation its up to you to integrate for apres etc. Instruction and Guidance = More money You’re on a fixed schedule + being told what to do which isn’t everyone’s idea of a Holiday Find a Ride Buddy WELL, this is what SnowClans is all about, community. Our aim is to build the biggest world-wide community of skiers and snowboarders, so that we will all have someone to ride with when the time comes. Now, we know we’re not there yet but we are growing by the day. Our Ride Buddies page lets you post an advert with its own dedicated discussion room that you admin, only viewable by members. All adverts are searchable and indicate: Dates Location Rider levels Apres vibes Current group (you, you plus one, children) What you’re looking for in your buddies Adverts can be to create a group to build a holiday or simply saying where you’ll be a looking for people in the same ski area. Why did we build this? Currently, people seek others out on various different Facebook groups and forums. Cons Posts often get lost in the discussion in groups as more things are posted They aren’t easily searchable again They rely on people giving out all the relevant info to make a decision. No communal place to take the plans and conversations further Some people on Facebook are absolute ****s and they aren’t well moderated. Not everyone is on every Facebook group or forum, so reach is limited. Pros Facebook often already signed up to Plan your own Want tips on how to plan your own trip? I’ve done another post on that (coming soon)! Head to the blog to find out. Ski tour operators are very much focused on mass market, with price pp calculated based on 2 people sharing and single rates often extortionately high and opaque. Self build is often the way to go. Check out the rest of the site and sign up to keep updated on deals and tips!

**NB. These reviews won't just be helpful to solo's** 21/22 season I threw caution to the wind, brought my flight forward and flew out to Austria for an 8 week trip in the middle of the pre-Christmas COVID wave panic that swept across Europe. I spent 8 weeks living, remote working and solo skiing in various different resorts across the Austrian Tyrol. Christmas week I spent in Soll and mid-January I spent a week in Brixen im Thale. I want to share my experiences to help other remote workers and solo skiiers plan their trips. These 2 towns are part of the wider SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser ski area, made up of 6 parts totaling around 250km of slopes. The Ski Area I'll cut to the chase, SkiWelt is the least favorite area that I've ever skied. I genuinely wouldn't recommend it to anyone who likes the same kind of skiing or snowboarding that I do. Well, what is that then? I'm an advanced skier, and a bit of an Adrenalin junkie, I love going fast, I love challenging pistes that I can really get my turns in on, long cruising pistes to take in the scenery and feel how overwhelmingly small I am in the vastness of the mountains. Big mountain skiing. SkiWelt doesn't deliver that. Snowboarding - I'm very much fresh meat, still in my first week or so of learning. Variety of accessible slopes was small (especially if coming from Soll) - more of this in a bit. Does that mean it's bad? Of course not, but it's certainly not a something for everyone area. What is Ski-Welt like then? This is quaint, tree-lined skiing territory. Majority of runs are quite short, with branches off offering slightly different routes down. Lifts transport you a short ways up again as you make your way around a maze of small valleys. A quick study of the piste map and it all begins to make a bit more sense. Lovely scenic cruising if you are all about the calm life, taking in the views. Incredibly annoying if you crave speed and variety, you're down in 10 seconds and then trying to figure your way out of another bowl. I feel like the vast majority of my time was spent on lifts. A few of the valley runs down to the key resorts provide nice long runs but travelling between them takes a while. It took me nearly a full day to get over to Ellmau from Soll because of the sheer number of lifts and wrong turns that it was so easy to make. If you're not someone stressed about covering the whole area or getting as many miles under your belt as possible, the pistes were well maintained and the lift system quick and modern. Even in the low season before Christmas, although hard underfoot, the conditions were good and the ice only started creeping in 10 days after the last snow fall. When you stay in Brixen im Thale, you can access skiing on the other side of the valley that's also accessed via Westendorf. Although a small area, it's runs are much longer and less chaotic. The number 11 seen in the picture was my #1 favourite in the entire area, especially at first tracks. This red runs all the way down into Brixen im Thale and there's an unusual rope tow at the other end across a field to get you back to the main lift without walking. A funny sight to see when you first make it into town. Last but not least - the difference between Red and Blue runs was very hard to predict. To me the majority of Reds could have been blues. Segway - Snowboarding Newbies In all the resorts I go to I scope out where I would be comfortable practicing my snowboarding. There's a fair few things to appreciate for a beginner snowboarder that don't necessarily occur to skiers. For example, blue runs, they may be classed as easy for skiiers but, snowboarders have to consider the impact of extended flat sections. Whilst a skier can poll along if they didn't get up to speed, a snowboarder has to either get a decent amount of pace (and flat ground is ironically the hardest for a newbie to stay upright on) or unclip and walk if they don't. Narrow roads are also stressful as new snowboarders don't necessarily have a small turning circle or the ability to carve. In my first week, based in Soll, firstly, there's some very shallow slopes perfect for absolute beginners, but once you're on your feet and gliding there's not a whole lot of blues accessible. A few short ones at the middle station are good a few hours of progression but the 40 down into town is a road that would cause a stress ulcer to people new on a board. The red's are mostly manageable on that face of the mountain but if you don't have anyone to scope it out for you it's a risk. Brixen im Thale had more long blue options at the top of the access point, even a mixed gondola/chairlift up the 2nd part for those who are sick of falling off the top of chairlifts. There's a real mix of food offerings on the mountain, from the traditional to the more mass catered offerings. My favourite was a very cute, traditional hut called Frank Alm. The menu was by no means long but it did the job (as long as you're not vegan). Its tiny inside area ticks all the old school ski vibes, cosy in bad weather if you manage to get a seat, and a terrace that catches the sun beautifully when its nice out. The Towns Of the two I stayed in, Soll was the one with more potential for being more lively. Brixen im Thale was very much about efficiency, go ski, grab a pint, head home for the evening. Now, of course, I visited during a global pandemic, but that doesn't make shops, restaurants and bars disappear without a trace. Brixen wasn't a place you wander and browse, there wasn't enough there for that. The restaurants are few and scattered about town and very much a destination, pick one and go. Although not enough to sustain you if you like eating out every night at a different place, it's very much a self-catered or half board town. If you're self catered I'd recommend going to the gym a lot or getting yourself a car to visit the supermarkets at either end of town. For a solo traveler such as myself this felt like a shame, I like to wander and feel the energy of a place and pop into a bar or restaurant I like the look of. The town itself if pretty much single track between the main Gondola and the train station, where it then spreads out and becomes much more picturesque, mixing old traditional buildings and farm houses with newer but sympathetically styled small apartment buildings and hotels. Staying around here has a nice community feel, and is a quick ski bus ride to the access points, with a slope down to it when the conditions are right. Also makes it a very quick transfer from the train which is an ideal way to transfer quickly from Innsbruck. Soll This small town has a warmer feel as it is much more clustered together in the valley. Compact, there's a handful of lively bars dotted around if you want to continue with your apres, but the majority of its streets are quiet. Some slightly more refined options here for dining out than I found in Brixen, but still not a wealth of them. Almost all accommodation options require a bus, although I really recommend the Hotel Tennenwirt near the round-about, not only have they recently refurbished the rooms in the adjacent guest house to a high standard, but the owners were really helpful and accommodating. It's a short walk across the field to the drag lift which takes you up to the Gondola, no coordinating with timetables and waiting for a bus to drive you 2 min up the hill. Over and out Sign up to the site and check out all the resources on offer Listing of group holidays and tours for solo skiers and snowboarders Ride Buddies to find new people to holiday with SnowClans HQ

Career break? Digital Nomad / Remote worker? Quit? Lucky you! The below tips are based off my findings, I settled on a mix of remote work and ski holiday in Austria, read on to see why this is a great option and how to organise your own trip. I had wanted to take my love of Ski holidays to the next level for a while, having visions of quitting my office job and taking a few months out was high on my list. Fate decided to throw a pandemic in the way and I managed to get another job to tide me over. 2 years in and by the 2021/22 season I'd had enough, even with rising uncertainty I managed to agree continued remote work with my day job and started researching and booking my trip. #1 Staying put or Roaming? One of the first things to consider in your planning I simply could not fathom the idea of skiing one area for more than a week or 2, at least not on my own. I love exploring new places, so this was a natural choice for me. It also allowed me to choose different set ups depending on if I was going to be holidaying or working the majority of the time. I decided on 8 weeks at 8 different resorts, you'll see below how that's panning out... Here are a few things to consider from my experience thus far: If you move about every week, be prepared to loose at least a day a week to travel. The really dedicated can get up early and maybe squeeze in an afternoon ski at the other end but that depends on how keen you are and when you can book in/check out. Do you want to spend your days off travelling? Speaking from week 3 of a no days off tactic right now, my legs are wrecked. I'm luckily sitting and waiting out a snow storm this morning, very cosy and smug. If I could do it again, I would consider staying put for maybe 2 weeks at a time, mixing work and really getting a feel of the resort. It is way more expensive. I've found some great deals and I'm not living the luxury lifestyle (not every week #treatyourself ) but the fact is you can get a decent AirBnb for £2k a month if you plan and look hard enough because a lot of places do great monthly rates vs. their weekly prices. However, there's a lot more that goes into it, so check out the sections below. Finally, I cannot recommend this enough! I loved every week I was there, and I will 100% be doing this again. Till next time x

Been wondering where to bunk down for next winter? The St. Anton Tourist office actually provides a listing of residences open to seasonal lets, so knock yourself out and great dreaming and planning. Don't forget, put an ad out on here to find people to buddy up with - it's a lonely 4 months if you've got no one to talk to or ride with, plus you can split the costs. Or if you prefer your own space, sign up and then put out an ad for people to ride with when you're free.

In my introductory post, I split the Zillertal Valley in 2, in this post I'm going to talk about the "Lower" Zillertal Valley. Lower Valley Fugen - "Spieljoch" Ski area Kaltenbach - "Hochzillertal" & "Hochfugen" ski areas Aschau Zell am Ziller - "Zillertal arena" inc. Gerlos/Krimml/Wald-Konigsleiten splinter Valley These are the key towns you're going to be looking at, each have different pros and cons. The most important thing to ask yourself is - what kind of ski holiday am I looking for? Is it all about the skiing, or do you want something out of your down time too? Are you looking for something relaxing & quiet? Are you a social butterfly, do you want to go out every night? Do you like variety? Are you happy cooking yourself? Stayed: Aschau Visited: Kaltenbach and Zell am Ziller Ski areas: Zillertal Arena + Hochzillertal/ Hochfugen Ski area: 8/10 Apres vibes: 5/10 Aschau – Great access and Value You can get to Kaltenbach in 6 min on the train and a 15min bus will take you all the way to the bottom of the Zillertal Arena access Gondolas in Zell am Ziller. Access this from the Hochzillertal area via a Black run down, so no need to get the train back on the way home (if you can Ski/board Blacks, it’s not joking when it says Black) and if you just ended up here, there’s a Ski bus at the end of the run. This is a very small town, very quaint traditional buildings, very quiet. You come here to ski, stay and relax because that’s literally all you can do and for that it’s amazing value. You have all you nee d to self cater, a supermarket, a bakery and butcher and a small café/ bar. I stayed with the lovely Frau Magdelena in her B&B, my single room (that was in fact a double) was £350 on Christmas week, absolute bargain for a nice wood clad, clean and well kept room. I could even see the Snow Chickens that probably laid my breakfast. Hochzillertal/Hochfügen Ski Area Accessed from Kaltenbach, it connects to Hochfügen easily via chair (that’s very fresh with no cover on a high and exposed area, so wrap up your face) Ski time for advanced: Probably 2 or 3 days Nice area for beginners and intermediates, majority of runs are wide and I’d say mid-length, they’re a decent ski down. With more snow there’s some playful off piste to be had. The real fun for more advanced or adventurous skiiers is over on the Hochfügen area. I loved the runs down, they were nice and long, challenging enough on piste to do a few times over. Here’s probably the best access to some decent vertical off piste. If I’d of had more time there I’d have certainly got a guide to take me out. However it’s not a huge area. Snow was well maintained for early season. I went Christmas week, there had been a lot of early snow fall but none for nearly 10 days. It was a bit hard underfoot but otherwise no real icy sections. Kaltenbach This has the feel very much of a commuter ski area, the car park is huge and the town area closest to the lift has very little in the way of things to do or browse. Don’t come here expecting a vibe. The apres bars at the Gondola get decently busy and it’s nice after a day on the slopes but at night, you’re retiring to your own Hotel or apartment. Hotel Post 4* I was lucky to eat here with some guests and I can say hands down 10/10 some of the best food I’ve ever been served in a Hotel, even 5* establishments. As classically trained Chefs they were inclined to agree, it was every well executed and very high quality ingredients. The guest restaurant itself has also been recent refurbished and it’s high end without being pretentious. Every evening is a 4 course meal, but the portions are manageable, and if you’re particularly hungry after a day on the slopes there’s a self serve salad, meat and bread course as well as a cheese board at the end. If you want a relaxing ski holiday where you’re happy to go back to the hotel and settle there for the evening then I would highly recommend this. They’ve also got a great Wellness area with all the usual Sauna, steam rooms and jacuzzi as well as heated outdoor pool with inside access and inside pool as well. Once again all recently refitted to an extremely high standard (2021) Plus, you can walk to the Gondola in about 3 min. The bar could do with a few more staff but that’s likely a pandemic thing, also they couldn’t serve a Cosmopolitan because they could only do what was on the menu? I think they need a real barman or mixologist, but these are unprecedented times after all. Zillertal Arena Ski Area Again, mostly lovely wide pistes, well maintained with a good kids learning area right outside the from Gondola up from Zell am Ziller (Rosenalmbahn) This is very much a journey area, you ski down and lift up along the adjacent valley, towards the towns of Gerlos and Konisleiten. There’s not a whole lot on the Zell am Ziller side. So if you’re not a fast skier or you’re not with fast skiers consider how far you venture or you might find yourself stuck down the valley and having a long wait for a bus back to Zell am Ziller if that’s where you’re based. Otherwise, it’s about a 2 or 3 days of skiing at best on piste if you’re advanced, even better if you play around in the off piste. There’s not a lot of challenge here for you on piste, that’s with the exception of… The black run down to the Karspitzbahn Gondola is no joke, I loved it. The last bit surely has to be a HaraKiri rival, it was *steep* but the conditions were good so it was fine – I think the only reason I found the Harakiri worse was because it was in totally flat light so I no idea how steep it was or what I was skiing on. [Fun Fact: It was ice] Zell am Ziller I didn’t do a whole lot of exploring but this is a much bigger town than the other 2, if you plan of staying here make sure to check your transport options. Between the train station and the Rosenalmbahn it’s a 30min walk, so depending on where you stay, check ski bus stops. The restaurants are more concentrated around the train station and river, it gets a lot sparser as you go towards the lifts which are more on the outskirts.

The Zillertal Valley is a great valley crammed with good skiing, it's officially split into 4 areas but in this post I'm going to be grouping them differently based on ski area access. This information is especially relevant to holiday makers who are car-less. The Zillertal Valley is great for easy access via Public Transport & variety in skiing without the need to drive. This is great for solo skiers and boarders too, as they're less likely to want to fork out for private transfers or hire cars. Lower Valley Fugen - "Spieljoch" Ski area Kaltenbach - "Hochzillertal" & "Hochfugen" ski areas Aschau Zell am Ziller - "Zillertal arena" inc. Gerlos/Krimml/Wald-Konigsleiten splinter Valley Upper Valley Mayrhofen Tux Hintertux Glacier Chances are, especially if you're from the UK, you've herd of Mayrhofen. It's a very well known party town, it's especially popular amongst the Brits and they flock there in droves every year. However, they're really missing out on the Lower Valley resorts, and I can see why the Germans and Dutch would want to keep this a secret for as long as possible. Valley Access Innsbruck is the best airport to use, there's a 15 min bus from airport to train station, then from Innsbruck Hbhf it's a very quick 15 min train to Jenbach. The entire valley is served by the Zillertalbahn - one train line running from Jenbach to Mayrhofen. https://www.zillertalbahn.at/ It takes an hour end to end and it's a lovely way to travel. Trains run every half an hour. Now, onto the good part.... Check out my dedicated posts on the Lower Zillertal Valley Upper Zillertal Valley by going to the Blog or clicking on the tags associated with this post. Join our community and post a Ride Buddies advert! Find your clan to ride with.

Don't listen to your Aunt Janet or some random bloke off Facebook, or sometimes even your Travel Agent, always check the official websites for the most up-to-date information on Entry Requirement as well as in-country restrictions. As of right now (Jan 2022) there's still a huge selection of places you can go should you be fully vaccinated. Andorra Austria Bulgaria Canada Finland France Italy Japan Norway Spain Sweden Switzerland USA