Best for non skiers

Why not read our "top 10" of the best ski resorts for non-skiers as there may be people in your party who don’t ski but really want to come on holiday with you (or dare we say it, one of your party may have an accident and need to keep themselves amused for the rest of the holiday!). Our top 10 resorts for people that don't ski or board could help you find some absolute gems for scenery, location and additional activities like rock climbing or walking.

The Best Ski Resorts for Non Skiers

We have compiled a list of what we think are the best ski resorts for non skiers. Our advice is always to check before you book what is on offer in the resort and always check if the mountain restaurants are easily accessible to the non skier. This at least ensures that whatever happens you can at least have lunch together!

These are not in any particular order - unlike other sites, we've not been paid to produce a number 1!!

Chamonix, France 

Read our Full Review of Chamonix

Chamonix is one of the great resorts that attract adventurous skiers and boarders but it’s also a great place to come for non skiers. For those of you who want to be active there’s a 25 m swimming pool, ice rink, tennis and squash courts. But for those of you who want to relax more there are spas and beauty salons. Chamonix has a large pedestrainised shopping area with a huge range of shops with everything from designer clothes to jewellery to souvenir shops. To soak up the arts theres museums and a heritage centre. Non skiers and boarders certainly won’t get bored in Chamonix but beware this is not a cheap resort off the slopes!

Kitzbühel, Austria 

Read our Full Review of Kitzbühel

One of the most famous ski resorts in the world mainly for the ski race the Hahnenkamm that takes place each January. But for the non skier and boarder this is a beautiful ski resort to be based in. Kitzbühel is high on class and style. There are luxury hotels, spa facilities, horse sleigh rides as well as more action based activities such as tobogganing, ice skating, indoor tennis, curling, swimming, hot air ballooning, paragliding and bowling. The après ski here is also pretty special from the upmarket to the slope side lederhosen techno!

La Clusaz, France 

Read our Review of La Clusaz

La Clusaz is just 50km from Geneva airport. It dates back to the 17th century and has a traditional village atmosphere and some great Savoyard restaurants. The resort offers ‘pedestrianised passes’ for those who want to use the lifts but don’t want to ski. There are a number of snow based activities and spas on offer but the resort also offers an aqua centre with indoor and outdoor pools and an ice rink. In addition there are wood and ceramic painting classes, a cinema, ski museum and with Geneva on your doorstep there always Geneva itself to explore.

Breckenridge, USA 

Read our Full Review of Breckenridge

Skiers and boarders will love it here, with four interconnected mountains offering a total of 2,000 skiable acres. This resort can best be described as more of a medium sized town! It really does have it all as well for the non skier -swimming pool, cinema, shops and there’s even an art gallery. In addition for those of you who want to be more active off the slopes there’s snow shoeing, snow mobiling, hot air balloon flights, dog sled rides and visits to the old gold mines. It’s also a pretty lively resort with good bars and over 75 restaurants. A great choice of resort for mixed groups of skiers and non skiers.

La Plagne, France 

Read our Full Review of La Plagne

La Plagne is a good example of a resort that can offer the non skier a little taste of the adrenaline rush without stepping onto a snowboard or putting a set of skis on! It is the only French resort that offers amateurs the chance to experience an Olympic bobsleigh run. You can choose from three different types of sleigh one of which can reach speeds of up to 100km/h. You can then continue your adventure ice climbing on natural waterfalls, skidoo riding, hang gliding, pleasure flights and snow shoeing. Being a non skier or boarder need never be boring again!

Åre, Sweden 

Read our Full Review of Åre

Åre is Sweden’s number one ski resort. The skiing is suited to all levels but it’s also great for the non skier. There is snowmobiling, Icelandic pony trekking, tobogganing, dog sledding, ice fishing on the frozen lake, ice driving and ice karting. In addition you can visit the Tannforsen frozen waterfall and ice caves and also do a day trip to Trondheim, one of Norway’s oldest cities with its rich cultural heritage to explore. For those of you who like visiting cathedrals and like your music, art and culture this is the day trip to do! Night life in Are is a little low key but still plenty for the non skier to do.

Zermatt, Switzerland 

Read our Full Review of Zermatt

An incredibly beautiful Swiss resort dominated by the stunning image of the Matterhorn towering above. The skiing may be extensive and challenging but there is plenty to keep the non skier occupied. There are spas, swimming, snow shoeing, paragliding and ice skating. And for those of you who enjoy shopping there’s a good choice of shops in resort. The only downside is the cost; this is not a cheap resort! You can also visit the world’s highest glacier palace, 15 metres under the ices surface. But if you want a really special stay why not check out the Igloo Village. After a 15 minute walk from the last lift up you can have dinner, a jacuzzi before settling in for the night in your own en suite igloo!

Courmayeur, Italy 

Read our Full Review of Courmayeur

Courmayeur lies at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is a traditionally Italian village with cobbled streets, great shops and good cafes and bistros, all set within a medieval centre. So an attractive resort to spend time in. For non skiers and boarders there is an indoor ice rink, sports centre with climbing wall, a swimming pool in the next village, squash courts, tennis and snowshoe walking. There are local buses to get you to Chamonix and Aosta and a thermal spa in nearby Pre St Didier. In addition to this there are smart shops and welcoming bars. And if all this doesn’t do it for you you can always sit and do some people watching when the fur coated brigade from Milan and Turin pile in at weekends!

Aspen, USA 

Read our Full Review of Apsen

Aspen is truly a great American resort, with 4 mountains in its pass-Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. With 200km of runs there really is great skiing for all. But what about the non skiers? Aspen town has been beautifully restored to its Victorian splendour and is a great place to wander around, with a wide range of restaurants, boutique shops and galleries to look at. There really is everything here, ice skating, health spas, gyms, cinemas, theatres and art galleries. Aspen is really a great choice of resort for skiers and non skiers alike.

Kranjska Gora, Slovenia 

Read our Full Review of Kranjska Gora

A surprise entry, Kranjska Gora is a small resort, ideal for families. The main ski slopes are behind the village so it is not difficult for non skiers in the family to watch the others on the slopes and eventually meet up for lunch. Other activities include sledding, snow mobiling and for those who want a more leisurely time there’s a spa and indoor swimming pool. It is also easy to get out of the resort and visit the Slovenian capital Ljubljana which is 1 hour away and Lake Bled, half an hour away. A bus will also take you to other local resorts and for the children there’s an amazing sleigh ride you can do with reindeer!