I’ve been a student of this beautiful life and, over the last few years, many of the lessons I’ve learned have been through solo travel. Whether I was exploring the Rockies or Coast Mountains in Canada, The Alpujarra on the south slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Spain, or living in the magical Elqui Valley in Chile, solo travel (on and off my skis) have been one of the greatest gifts I have given myself.
Here’s why taking a solo ski vacation is the best thing you can do…
1. Embracing the Unknown Feels Good
In my experience, getting lost usually leads to adventure, kindness and a great story. Whether you’re checking out a mountain a few hours away from your home or in a different country, you’ll be visiting the unknown. Let planning and maps take a back seat and just wander – you never know where you might end up, or who you’ll end up meeting. But please, understand the balance between exploring and going beyond your ski ability! Follow the rules of the slopes and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger.
2. Exploring Yourself and Getting to Know Your Soul is Inspiring
One-on-one time never hurt anyone! I remember the first dinner I went on alone while travelling solo. I gave myself a pep talk about getting to know myself. Without a cell phone, or understanding the language, I realized I had an opportunity to honor myself with some quality time free of distractions. Use your ski vacation to tap into nature, reset and fall in love with yourself. Dig a little deeper and embrace what life is all about – experiences.
3. Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Helps You Grow
Don’t let fears of loneliness or insecurities get the best of you. New experiences build character, allow you to explore curiosities and discover. When you’re alone, you have the opportunity to try new things without worrying about the judgments of those who know you.
Ski at your own pace or take the time to practice that trick you’ve been working on without the pressure of others eyes on you. And hey, if you’re alone … you get to tell the story of your adventures your way, or keep your stories in the vault!
4. Because When You Try New Things, You Feel Like a Bad-Ass
Travelling solo can be liberating. Defy the realities of others and make them uncomfortable by doing something bad-ass, something unexpected, that challenges the norm. Step into who you are by taking a chance on that trip you’ve been daydreaming about, however crazy it might seem.
5. Meeting New People Could Change Your Life
Meeting new people has always been a huge part of my solo travel. And the friendships I’ve made have kissed my heart, helped me grow and enhanced my experiences. And for singles, it is a great way to scope out a new dating scene and open yourself up to love outside of your boundaries. So, strike up a conversation on the chairlift or ask if you can join a group over après. Have some fun with it!
Hey there, thanks for the interesting thoughts….one more to add to the mix. And diplomatically, I hope. A woman, is never alone, anywhere, on the planet. Especially a lost, slightly confuddled one.
such is chivalry or something north of there, that a gallant k-i-s-a(knight in shining armor)will immediately swoop in to offer aid, maybe a drink, maybe dinner, maybe…more. It is the energy in all places in all reaches of the planet where human attraction is present. In other words, everywhere.
This can sometimes go awry, warning, so careful with whom you play the damsel card, that’s all. really.
Sarah, Congratulations to you on your courage to take these solo trips. A few years ago I took a three month solo trip to ski the top 50 mountains in North America. I can remember the fears and misgivings I had before departing: would I go crazy with loneliness with no one to talk to? What if something unfortunate happened to me on the road or on the slopes? In the end, it was the best thing I ever did. People were so welcoming and interested to hear the story of my adventure that I wasn’t lonely at all. But first, please you other ladies thinking of following in Sarah’s footsteps, BE CAREFUL, as much as you might want it to be so, it is not the same for men as it is for women. It sickens me to read of the unfortunate things that happen to women with increasing frequency in our country these days. Be wise and enjoy!
Paul,
Curious to know if you managed to ski those top 50 and which ones were on your list. What a great project!
Petra
Being once fiercely independent, Ive done a LOT of solo travelling – ski trips , hiking /running adventure trips, travel abroad on boats, trains, motorcycles, mtn biking …you name it . I was watching a beautiful sunset one eve in the Caribbean and turning around to no one there said out loud “Isnt this a beautiful sunset?” It was at that moment that I realized I wanted a significant lady to be by my side . What are you doing for the rest of your life Sarah ? – Michael Tennis4ever@ charter. net
Thanks for the encouraging ideas, Sarah. I’ve been debating a solo skiing trip all winter. I’m stuck in the northeast with no snow while the rest of the country is getting buried. I should just do it because so many of my other solo trips turned out great. Nice to know there are others who travel for the exact same reasons as I do. Keep up the great writing!
Yay Sarah! I also LOVE solo traveling for all the reasons you mentioned. Thanks for sharing and encouraging other women to let loose and live their own adventures! Yes, sometimes it feels lonely, but I think that’s an important part of learning and growing. The more we challenge our fears, the braver and stronger we get!
“Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage” – Anaïs Nin
Found this blog site while searching solo ski trips. I’m looking to plan something and the group I usually go with can’t this year. It’s good to know that others have done this and that it’s not totally taboo. Though I’m a bit of an introvert so talking to strangers really isn’t my thing. But I guess if I’m getting out of my comfort zone to travel alone why not try to strike up a conversation with others.