Skiing or snowboarding by one’s lonesome is a time honored tradition that is perfectly summed up via the age old saying: “there’s no such thing as friends on a powder day.” Of course that saying is not true all the time but every so often, you just gotta go ski or ride for yourself. It’s good for the soul and with social distancing practices in place, there’s never been a better time to appreciate the solitude.
10) Speed through the ‘singles line’
One of the most underrated parts of skiing alone is how the practice significantly cuts down on lift line wait times. Instead of standing with a foursome, head to the singles line and zip to the front for another ride without having to wait in the congested group line.
9) Enjoy the peace of solitary lift rides
To those folks who think solo lift rides are boring, I suggest opening your senses to the mountain paradise that surrounds you. Revel in the harmonious bird songs that echo through the trees, enjoy the smell of fresh snow adorning old growth pine trees, and let your eyes adsorb the breathtaking vistas that stretch in every direction.
8) Begin and end whenever you please
Getting on and off the mountain is a chore when you’ve got kids, friends, or a significant other in tow. However, when you go to the mountains alone, you’re gifted the freedom to come and go as you please. Not to mention, your quads will usually chime in and let you know when it’s time to go back to the lodge.
7) Never having to look uphill and wait
Skiing is about looking downhill, not uphill. And while waiting on your buddies or family to get down safely is the right thing to do when skiing with a group, it’s always nice to break from the pack, go solo, and keep the focus downhill. Besides, there’s no telling if they followed you down your favorite trail or took a wrong turn somewhere.
6) The chance to test your own abilities
Finding the time, place and space to challenge yourself on the slopes can be especially hard for intermediates skiing in groups. Either the beginners in the group limit the ability to take leaps and bounds in terms of technical ability while on the other hand, experts can make those leaps and bounds seem unattainable. Instead, spend a day on the slopes challenging yourself because like Ernest Hemingway said: “there is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.”
5) Ski your favorite run, over and over
If you’re not yet convinced that skiing alone is amazing, maybe this reason will win you over. Everyone has a favorite run but it’s rare that your wife, kids, or friends share the same affinity for that double black diamond on the backside of the resort. Take this time to revel in your freedom to ski that run over and over, to your heart’s content.
4) Finding stashes and keeping them TOP-SECRET
Any seasoned skier will tell you, there’s no joy like the joy one feels upon discovering an untouched powder stash days after the last storm. Mark the stash on your trail map and don’t tell anyone.
3) No cell service, no problem
Perhaps the most annoying part of skiing are the calls from friends trying to meet up on the mountain. Your phone vibrates in your pocket and the last thing you want to do is to expose your fingers to the freezing cold for a text from someone who is, “just now heading to the mountain.” Instead, put the phone on airplane mode and communicate with nature and nature alone.
2) Hike at your own pace
When it comes to hiking for a ski run, such as the Highland Bowl at Aspen, everyone’s pace is different. So instead of going with a group whose hiking speeds all vary, take this time to go it alone and take your time. By the time you reach the top, you’ll be able to realize the #1 reason why skiing alone is the best.
1) Taking the time to soak it all in
You’re standing alone at the highest point of the mountain, 360 degree views as far as the eye can see. The wind blows softly on your face and you look beyond your ski tips at an untouched powder run. There’s no one asking where you’re going or which way they should go. It’s quiet, peaceful. You have time to catch your breath with a couple extended exhales. You take an inhale of the clean mountain air and whisper to yourself, “dropping.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5grzIOSAok
Looking to book a solo adventure in the mountains this upcoming ski season? Call one of our 65+ Mountain Travel Experts to get the scoop on where to find soul-satisfying solitude in the mountains. They’re standing by at 800-610-8911. You can also get started by filling out a form for a free custom quote.
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