Activities Beyond the Slopes: What Ski Resorts Offer the Non-Skier

So you’re heading to a ski resort—but you don’t ski. 

Don’t be sad about it! There’s plenty more to do at a ski resort than just skiing or snowboarding. 

Our helpful guide might provide some inspiration on what you or your non-skier loved one can do at a ski resort. Who knows? They might just become your favorite kind of resort. 

Wellness, Wellness, Wellness

Aerial view of the Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol in the Austrian Alps. (Photo Credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts)

Most ski resorts have well-developed wellness programs featuring saunas, steam rooms, pools and more. The best also offer hydrotherapy circuits, red light therapy, meditation classes and other premium spa experiences. 

For travelers who won’t be skiing, this will be where you live: embrace the wellness mentality and spend your morning hiking or walking in the cold snow, then warm up in the sauna and steam room before taking a cold plunge or—for the more adventurous—heading back out into the snow before a nice, long soak in a hot tub. 

While the kids are learning to ski, take a breather to just breathe: find a quiet place to meditate, or, if your resort offers wellness classes, dive right in! 

Your stress levels, and your body, will thank you. 

Take a Hike

Exterior aerial view of the new Club Med Kiroro Grand in Hokkaido, Japan. (Photo Credit: Club Med)

Or maybe just a leisurely stroll in the snow—it’s whatever you decide. 

Most ski resorts are located in incredibly scenic areas, surrounded by at least one sizable mountain and a charming town or two. When your friends or family head out to hit the slopes, get dressed up in your winter clothes and hit the trail, or hike into town to get some fresh air and some fun souvenirs. 

Families with kids can make snowmen, snow angels or go wandering along the trails. Some resorts might also have snow shoes, hiking sticks, toboggans, snow tubes or other fun winter accessories and gear to help make the most of your snowy winter vacation—without skiing.

If you’re interested, some of them might also offer snowmobile excursions, or snowmobiles to rent, giving you a unique opportunity to hit the slopes in a decidedly different way. 

Take it Slow

The Bio- and Wellnessresort Stanglwirt in Austria, a new Beyond Green member property. (Photo Credit: Beyond Green)

Embrace the slow life—instead of hitting the Black Diamond, you’ll be the one in your group to cozy up to that giant fireplace in the lobby, sipping your favorite warm beverage and curling up with that book you’ve been staring at for the past three years.

And why not? After all, a vacation is just that: a chance to relax, decompress, and thoroughly enjoy just being, without any expectation to perform or earn anything. 

So take your time waking up in the morning. Spend some time in the wellness area. Wander around the hills, or the halls. Enjoy leisurely meals, without looking at your phone or the clock. 

Just…be.  

Enjoy the Scenic Route

The Bergman Express chairlift at Keystone Resort in Colorado (Photo Credit: JP Douvalakis/Keystone Resort)

Ski lifts aren’t just for skiers and snowboarders…are they? If you’re heading to a ski resort, there might be a chance that there’s something at the top of those hills. Whether it be a restaurant or a fun lookout point, take a lift up to see what’s there, or practice any budding photography skills you might have. 

Some destinations even offer trams up scenic mountains, like the Mount-Blanc Tramway in the French Alps, which provides a comfortable ride up to a scenic mountain area where you can dine, ski, snowshoe and more. 

Lastly: Learn to Ski? 

The new Wild Spur Express chairlift at Winter Park Resort (Photo Credit: Winter Park Resort)

If you are able-bodied and simply don’t know how to ski, heading to a ski resort is the perfect opportunity to learn! 

Ski resorts typically provide opportunities for engagement from childhood to adulthood, offering experiences for everyone to learn to ski, or test themselves with different levels of difficulty. 

If you’re not familiar with skiing, consider booking a session with one of the guides or teachers. You might just find that the right instructor and several hours of practice really boosts both your confidence and your skills. And who knows? You might find a new love. 

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