THE ETHOS OF SOLO SKIING

Throughout the history of ski media, there’s been a time-honoured tradition of talking about how much fun it is to ski with your friends. And while it’s an eye-rolling cliché, there’s a whole lot of truth to it. Skiing is a social pastime, and being able to do it with the people you love is one of the best parts about it. But while sharing hoots and hollers as you party shred down the hill followed by pouring each other brewskis out of a pitcher at après is tough to beat, there’s nothing quite as liberating as solo skiing.

Hitting the slopes by yourself is a freeing experience. You can ski when you want, where you want and how you want. There’s no waiting for ski partners to find parking at the base to delay the start of your day, or pressure to ski until last chair to end it. There are no callouts from chest-beaters if you feel like keeping it chill on groomers or low-angled pow, or shaky boots from less-accomplished counterparts if you’re looking to send it. And it’s an opportunity to espouse the ethos of no friends on a pow day, since there aren’t any present.

But of all the benefits of going for a good old-fashioned rip by your lonesome, nothing tops the silence. It’s just you, alone on the slopes, embracing the peace, tranquility and beauty of nature. Breathing in the crisp and clean air, letting out a sigh of relief as your worries wash over you, and allowing your skis to calmly carve through snow as you make your own way down the mountain, at your own pace.

So next chance you get, do your soul a favour and ski a few runs by yourself. Just be sure to stay safe. —JEFF SCHMUCK