Why I Love to Ski Solo: Plus 11 Reasons You Need to Try It
My English teacher convinced me to join the ski club when I was a junior in high school. I had never skied before, and I was nervous since I didn't have anyone to ski with. You see, I wasn’t in the popular crowd like the rest of the kids.
I remember strapping into these hard, pain-in-the-ass boots, not knowing what I was doing as I headed to my first ski lesson. Afterwards, I was nervous to ski and explore the rest of Blue Mountain Resort, but I did. And the year after that, I rejoined the ski club. Once in a while, the other popular kids did join me, but mostly, I adventured around the mountain, praying I would not injure myself.
Since then, I have buckled my ski boots up in Pennsylvania and Colorado as I skied solo. Now, I will be honest: I stay on mostly double greens and blues in CO and sometimes a couple black diamonds in PA.
I am not a super fantastic skier, but it doesn't matter. Because I firmly believe that you should try solo skiing, and below are my reasons why.
The mountains are calling, and I must go . . . solo.
Skiing solo is a great way to develop and practice your skills and, most importantly, build confidence. You don't have to worry about the pressure of performing in front of a group. Solo skiing allows you to challenge and push yourself to new limits.
It’s a wonderful way to relax and unwind. You don't have distractions from a group or another person. You can take the time to appreciate the natural beauty of the mountains and the terrain. You don't have to feel like you are holding others back or feel like you are being held back. Maybe you can even forget the stresses of life and stop to soak in the views.
***Picture this: you are standing alone on the mountain with 360-degree views on a bluebird day. You feel the sunshine on your face, and your heart is racing because you feel the raw energy of the mountain itself. Take a moment here, enjoy this moment, and thank yourself and the mountain for this incredible day!***
Meeting with other solo skiers is easier, especially in the lift lines or on the lifts. I have had the best experiences meeting other solos. One of them even joined my table for lunch, and we skied together afterward!
You don't have to worry about meeting and coordinating with others—or compromising! You can do whatever you want, whenever you want to do it! You can enjoy the freedom and independence that comes with skiing solo.
Skiing solo is often more economical. Sometimes, you can even get a discount depending on the resort if you are solo. Also, you don't have to pay for multiple lift tickets, carpooling costs, and other group-related expenses.
You can ski at your own pace, which I love. I don't have to worry if I am skiing too slow or fast since I am the only one I need to pay attention to.
Pick the runs that best suit your skill level and interests. If you want to do all double blacks, go ahead! If you wish to cruise on greens, go ahead! The mountain is your playground—do it up and explore!
You have complete control over when to take a break or stop for lunch. How awesome is that? How often have you been in a group setting where everyone wants to do something different? Well, here's your chance to stop whenever you want!
You can take risks and push your limits without worrying about anyone else. I have done this to my poor friend, I pushed too much, and I nearly gave her a heart attack, but skiing solo, I can push my limits safely without freaking anyone!
Benefit from shorter wait times by going into the singles' lift line!
You can ski your favorite run over and over without annoying anyone! If you are like me and find a run you love, you can ski it until you’re over it. It's like finding your favorite song and playing it over and over. It brings you happiness, and you don't have to subject anyone else to skiing that trail 100 times!
What do you think? Have I convinced you yet to go solo the next time you ski? I hope I did! If you did, let me know how it went. I would love to hear from you! If I did convince you, and you are looking into how to ski safely, check out my blog post, “10 Tips To Make You Feel Safe AND Badass When Skiing Solo,” which gives you my tips for skiing solo.