10 Tips To Make You Feel Safe AND Badass When Skiing Solo!

I have skied solo off and on since high school, and in my junior year, I joined my ski club. I had NO idea what the hell I was doing, but I joined, took lessons, and skied alone at the age of 17. I did it before I even knew it was a thing!

Over the years, I have skied solo because I didn't have people to go with, and then I continued because I felt freedom, even though I am not the world's greatest skier. Even still, I don't have any issues skiing alone. 

If you google "how to ski alone," you will see the advice: don't do it. And I will say, “I call bullshit on that.” I will call bullshit on that because if you follow the tips below in a ski resort, I think you will be perfectly fine.

Now, if you ski backcountry (which I have never done), I will say, “Do NOT ski solo in the backcountry!” To me, that is dangerous. I would never ski alone in the backcountry because if you trigger an avalanche or get hurt, you are far away from the ski patrol compared to the resort. Plus, fewer people are in the backcountry to help you if shit goes down.

Below are the tips I suggest if you want to ski solo.

Ten Tips To Ski Solo

1.    Pack the right gear! 

There is no bad day on the mountain—unless your boots aren't fitted well. Make sure you get them fitted correctly! Also, bring a helmet, snacks, gloves, hand warmers, and dress in plenty of layers. Also, bring an extended battery charger just in case your phone dies. Think of solo skiing as any other adventure; prepare for anything. And if you decide not to heed my advice about not skiing outside the resort, at least let someone know, and wear your avalanche beacon!

And if you decide to ski outside the ski resort, let someone know, and wear your avalanche beacon!

2.    Take a ski lesson if you don't ski or need a refresher.

This is the best way to set yourself up for success. If you can't afford the ski lesson, See if a local can take you out!

3.    Ask locals! 

I am always asking everyone their opinions about: 

• Where I can find the powder stashes

• When to ski specific trails

• Where to get the cheapest après drafts/ food.

That last one is important because you need to take a ski break and get some water and food, especially if you are in a place where you are not used to the altitude! And maybe the locals will hook you up—if you are lucky!

4.    Do research! 

If you are heading to a new resort, check out its maps and the terrain. Make sure you know what level of skier you are. Are you a green, double green, blue, double blue, etc.? It's great to push yourself, but remember that not all greens, blues, and black runs are equal in each resort. Talk to the ski patrol or an information person before getting on the lift! If you talk to one, get a ski patrol's number just in case you need it or someone else.

5.    Be flexible with your ski plans! 

The fantastic part of skiing solo is having your own plans but being flexible with them and yourself! Meaning don't do everything in one day. You will be too tired to enjoy it and may injure yourself if you ski too hard. Also, if the weather turns bad, quit instead of pushing through. This also creates chances for last-minute invites, especially if you meet a local who tells you about an amazing event!

6.    Be mindful of the trail; stay within sight of it or a lift.

Pay attention to where you get on and off the lift, just in case there is an emergency, and you need the ski patrol, or if someone else needs help!

7.    Take an avalanche awareness course, especially if you are heading backcountry! 

There are a couple of ways to sign up for a course. First, your local ski resort should have a training/introduction on how avalanches happen, what they look like, and how to avoid them. If not, visit Colorado Mountain School, which adopts the American Avalanche Institute (AAI) teachings. AAI is the most successful professional and recreation training program in the world!

You can check out their one-hour free course that discusses the topics above. However, if you want more in depth training, they have two trainings that range from $1,099-$1,249. I know this sounds like a lot of money, but it’s a great investment if you seek the wildness of backcountry!

8.    Use RECCO reflectors! They help make you easier to find. 

RECCO reflectors can make you more searchable to search and rescue. The reflectors work by bouncing a signal administered by a RECCO detector and do not require training or maintenance for the wearer. Luckily, many ski brands embed RECCO reflectors in their jackets and pants. If your ski setup doesn't work, you can also buy individual reflectors that can be easily attached to a helmet or a backpack. 

9.    Always end your day earlier than you plan. 

I live by this rule! If I feel like I have two more runs in me, I will only do one more, or I may call it quits. Nothing sucks more than skiing on tired-out legs and hating life. It sucks, but more importantly, if you ski on exhausted legs, you have a higher chance of crashing or missing that turn to get back down the mountain because you are focusing more on the burning sensation than the trail. Trust me, I have skied more than I should have, and I regretted it!

10. Speaking of listening to your body . . . TAKE BREAKS.

You do not have to ski nonstop. Take a break (but maybe not in the middle of the trail). Pull off and give your body a break. Enjoy the views and breathe. You just skied solo; you should be proud! If you have snacks or water, this would be the perfect time to have them!

I hope you enjoyed these tips! Let me know if you have any additional suggestions. And please let me know if you ski solo—and tell me how you feel!