Skiing in groups..skiing alone?

[ckofer]

I usually ski in a group of 2 to 4. If I ski alone, it's usually to practice bumps. Larger groups are harder to keep moving at the right pace or same direction. Who I ski with is critical to a good day. A similar sense of humor and adventure are more important than technical abilities and speed.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

This past trip to Stowe was great for me..

Out of 6 days I spent..2 hours skiing with KingSlug and his wife..2 hours skiing with a random snowboarder from Reading PA...and most of a day skiing with a friend from Paskiandride.com who goes to college in VT,,,and the rest by myself when I can be selfish and can ski nonstop..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Generally I go skiing w/ one or more friends. Skiing, while an individual (vs. team) sport just seems more fun when you have someone to share the experience with. On the other hand last time we went skiing I broke away and skied by myself because my buddies had either (1) decided to take a nap in the car or (2) seemed more interested in gabbing and smokin. I felt liberated! When you ski by yourself there is no comprimizing. Go where you want and at your own pace. But wait - I hadn't even skied down to the bench and ran into someone. We skied a couple of run together. Usually when I go someplace by myself I will run into some like minded people and so am not skiing solo anyway.

Is the bench you're referring to at Stowe?

 

[kcyanks1]

What does everyone think about the safety of skiing alone?

<snip>

I don't think skiing alone is as safe as skiing with others. I also don't think it's as fun, as long as I have similar interests as the people I'm skiing with. But sometimes it's the only way I'm going to get to ski what/when I want to, so I do it anyways. For most trails I don't think it's a huge issue really, because as you mentioned, there are generally enough people around. It's when I do the woods alone that I realize it's not the brightest idea. I am of course careful and don't go normally don't go into areas that I am not familiar with or haven't at least asked someone about. But it's still riskier than being with others. Also, often when I'm not alone, I'm only with one other person, whereas the general recommendation for woods is 3+. I do carry a cell phone, but I don't necessarily have reception (no reception in the MRV for example).

 

[kingslug]

I don't mind skiing alone but prefer one or two for company. this season I took off from work several days in the early season when it dumped at Hunter. Took a trip to Utah alone for the first time but only skied solo 1 day at Snowbird. Tirolerpeter is out there and always is up for a day, he lives pretty much at the base of the canyon. Skiing with people who are better than me is always a blast, best way to improve you're game.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

For ski trips..I definitely prefer to travel alone. Back in November I went to Mount Snow for the weekend with a good friend and while it was a fun trip..it's a pain having someone else sharing a room/car and farting all the time. Driving by myself and having control of the stereo and stopping where I want to stop is great. I've been on ski trips out west with an ex-girlfriend and that was fun because although I had to slow down my pace...after skiing sex and massages can not be beat.

When I was in Jackson Hole alot of people were surprised that I travelled and was staying alone..alot of people went on ski trips and it's tough to imagine two grown men sharing a room. Yes I did it for 3 nights when my friend Tom joined me but that's plenty. When my Dad and his buddy go on golf trips..they each get their own hotel room.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Jeesh,what the hell do you do in your room that you don't want anybody else in there?I pretty much only shower and sleep.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Jeesh,what the hell do you do in your room that you don't want anybody else in there?I pretty much only shower and sleep.

Well I don't want to hear somebody wake up during the night to piss...snore..fart..etc..I have my own apartment and I'm used to getting a full night of sleep. With another person in the room that's impossible..plus if I want to wake up at 6:00AM and watch TV I can without disturbing my roomie..lol

 

[tekweezle]

some people are light sleepers. too each their own. if you can afford your own room, more power to you!

the only concern I have about skiing alone is a safety thing. if you go in the trees, take a friend.....unless your friends slow you down on a powder day...and on powder days, there are no friends!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

the only concern I have about skiing alone is a safety thing. if you go in the trees, take a friend.....unless your friends slow you down on a powder day...and on powder days, there are no friends!

I think I'm going to start skiing with my cellphone..in case I get hurt and am alone. I know that it's impossible for ski patrol to sweep all the inbounds tree runs..even at a small ski resort. If I was skiing alone in the woods and broke my leg..and nobody heard my screams..I wonder how long it would be until I died? A Horrible way to go..

 

[wa-loaf]

I think I'm going to start skiing with my cellphone..in case I get hurt and am alone.

Not gonna do you much good if you're stuck upside down in a tree well and can't move.

 

[tekweezle]

on my last trip to Okemo and Stratton, my cellphone's battery died on the mountain from excessive roaming. i am surprised, i thought Verizon had digital service in VT and this only affected T-Mobile users.....

can;t rely on cellphones all the time....i don;t even bring my cellphone on the mountain because if you get it wet, it;s toast.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

i don;t even bring my cellphone on the mountain because if you get it wet, it;s toast.

What about a ziplock bag..der der der...keeps other things dry as well...cough cough

 

[mondeo]

on my last trip to Okemo and Stratton, my cellphone's battery died on the mountain from excessive roaming. i am surprised, i thought Verizon had digital service in VT and this only affected T-Mobile users.....

can;t rely on cellphones all the time....i don;t even bring my cellphone on the mountain because if you get it wet, it;s toast.

Just another reason to keep the old cell phone after the contract's up. Gore-tex (and its imitators/successors) also does the trick of keeping most of the badness away.

I have to say, the two times I ended up skiing with groups this year were two of the better days. As long as there's good banter going on, it just makes skiing that much more relaxing. Less peaceful, more relaxing. It's a trade off. I guess there's a time and place for everything.

 

[tekweezle]

What about a ziplock bag..der der der...keeps other things dry as well...cough cough

ziplock bag might work on the mountain if you're careful. it did not work on a whitewater rafting trip though. never got wet but condensation built up in the bag which toasted the phone anyway!

i know people bring cellphones on the mountain and use them. i on the other hand have dropped my cellphone in a puddle which was embarrasing. however, that;s nothing-i know a guy who dropped his in the toilet and another guy who dropped his in a 16 oz cup of pepsi!

nowadays, you can get a cheap replacement phone on craigslist or ebay. but a few years ago? the carriers had you over a barrel.

 

[dmc]

just make sure you pack you phone/electronics where you don't sweat...

As the sweat passes through you layering.. it can soak your phone...
On hikes/skinning I pack it in my pack or in a bag attatchted to my chest strap...

 

[dmc]

ziplock bag might work on the mountain if you're careful. it did not work on a whitewater rafting trip though. never got wet but condensation built up in the bag which toasted the phone anyway!

yup -= one drop of water and it's all over...

 

[hiroto]

And also there is option for water resistance cell phone.