You might be heading to the mountains with friends or family who love to ski, but you shouldn’t feel obliged to join them on the slopes. A winter mountain holiday delivers a fantastic experience, even if you never click into a binding. The resorts offer a huge variety of non-ski activities, giving you the chance to enjoy the incredible atmosphere and scenery at your own pace. We show you five essential alternatives to skiing that should be on your itinerary.
Pampering Yourself with Alpine Wellness
You should prioritise a spa day. After a day in the cold mountain air, there is nothing better than retreating to a luxurious thermal bath or sauna. Many resorts feature fantastic wellness centres, often with outdoor heated pools where you can watch the snow fall while relaxing your muscles. Look for resorts that offer specific thermal spas, giving you the benefit of hydrotherapy and essential deep relaxation while your ski partners are still on the slopes.
Exploring the Scenery by Gondola
Don’t let your friends have all the high-altitude fun; you can easily meet them for lunch on the mountain. Take a gondola or cable car ride up the main ski lift to enjoy the panoramic views without any physical effort. This allows you to soak up the stunning alpine scenery and join the skiers for a well-deserved mountain meal of fondue or tartiflette. Taking this simple trip ensures you feel included in the mountain atmosphere during your ski holidays.
Discovering the Trails by Snowshoe
If you enjoy walking, you must try snowshoeing. It requires no prior skill – if you can walk, you can snowshoe! Renting a pair of snowshoes allows you to explore the dedicated winter hiking paths without sinking into the deep snow. You will get a gentle workout and discover the peaceful side of the mountain, wandering through silent, snow-draped forests away from the noise of the pistes.
Embracing the Thrill of Tobogganing
For a genuine dose of winter excitement that doesn’t require technical skill, head to a dedicated toboggan or sledding run. Many resorts have specially prepared tracks, sometimes floodlit at night, where you can slide down the hill on a simple sled or tube. This activity is pure, unadulterated fun that all age groups can enjoy, providing you with a high-speed thrill without the learning curve of skiing.
Soaking Up the Apres-Ski Atmosphere
You absolutely do not need to ski to enjoy the legendary Après-Ski. You should head to a slope-side bar just as the lifts close to join the lively social scene. Find a cosy spot by an outdoor fire, order a warm Glühwein, and enjoy the energetic music and buzz. This is the ultimate mountain experience and a key part of ski holidays where you can share stories and soak up the atmosphere, no skis required.
As you can see, there is much more to skiing holidays than shredding powder. Hopefully, this post will get you excited and give you a few ideas for fun activities to try.