Solo Skiers Find Community in Les Deux Alpes Chalet
A week‑long solo‑travel ski holiday in Les Deux Alpes turned strangers into a tight‑knit “ski gang.”
From Solo Strangers to a Ski Gang
Seventeen strangers arrived at a large chalet just off the mile‑long drag lift in Les Deux Alpes, France, for a week organised by Friendship Travel, a specialist solo‑travel operator with more than two decades of experience. The operator supplied the chalet, travel, most meals and group ski lessons, leaving guests to navigate the slopes and social scene.
Who Showed Up
The roster spanned the upper end of the company’s typical 35‑to‑65 age range. Among them were Louisa from south London, rebuilding after a breakup; Tim, a first‑timer finally lacing up boots; Lexi from Bristol, escaping a non‑skiing boyfriend; and a retired nurse, Vivienne, who had recently lost her partner. Adriana, described as a “silver splitter,” was enjoying retirement, while Ivyon from Bridgend boasted over 90 solo trips. The group also included Steve, a retired doctor from north London, whose stories of cruising the Yangtze River and skiing in Austria added colour to evenings.
Why One Guest Joined
One participant explained that a lack of skiing friends, a brother’s injury and sleepless nights with a two‑year‑old son made a “temporary break from family life” appealing. While her partner Holly booked a walking holiday, she chose the ski week to catch up on sleep and find a ski‑focused community.
First Day on the Slopes
After checking into private rooms – with the option to bunk with a same‑sex stranger to save space – guests gathered for a welcome drink and three‑course dinner in the lounge. The next morning the group split into smaller cliques as they collected ski lockers at the base. The author booked equipment in advance, saving €40, and joined an “level 4 advanced” group with Elaine, Clemmie, James and guide Luke.
The new Jandri 3S cable car lifted skiers to 3,200 metres in 17 minutes, a marked improvement on the previous 40‑minute ride. Above broken clouds, the Écrins national park’s jagged peaks provided a dramatic backdrop. The run included broad blue and red pistes plus a few manageable black runs, with participants looking out for each other, especially on off‑piste sections. “I’d never have tried that alone,” Clemmie remarked.
Après‑Ski and Social Dynamics
Afternoons returned to the slopes before the group reconvened at Skandal, a venue reopened in 2025 after an extension, where a DJ played on a packed terrace. As sunset approached, the chalet’s WhatsApp group buzzed with messages like “Polar Bear Pub, anyone?” often sent by Mícheál from Armagh, who became a reliable pint‑partner.
Group etiquette proved a subtle minefield: questions about waiting for latecomers, seat selection at breakfast and the propriety of skiing alone were debated, with the author noting that buying one’s own wine might label a guest a “skinflint.”
Industry Insight
Colum McLornan, founder of Friendship Travel in 1999, observed that solo travel has shed its “unconventional” stigma. He said travellers now seek independence, flexibility and personal growth, making solo holidays one of the fastest‑growing segments in the industry.
Final Thoughts
At the week’s end, the author hugged the new “ski gang” before catching a train home, affirming a willingness to travel solo again. The hosts were described as helpful without being intrusive, the skiing – especially the high‑altitude Glacier de Mont‑de‑Lans runs – was superb, and the author finally secured some much‑needed sleep.
