For many people, winter means it’s ski season. For others, like me, winter is a time to avoid the terrifying slopes! Yes, I have skied a handful of times and loved my experiences, but now my preference is to indulge myself with a spa treatment or relax in front of a roaring fire watching the skiers.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ski resorts that cater to a wide range of interests, allowing groups of skiers and non-skiers alike to enjoy their winter vacation in the beautiful snow-covered mountains. The following are some of the best ski resorts for non-skiers in the U.S. and Europe.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge may be known for its powder skiing, but there are plenty of things to do for non-skiers. The mountain enclave just an hour and a half from Denver is a picturesque ski town designed for family fun. There are lots of outdoor activities apart from skiing, such as dog sledding with Good Times Adventures or taking a fat bike tour with Ridden. A unique experience is a tour of the only real open mine in Breckenridge, which takes you through historic gold mining tunnels (1,000 feet underground!) and kids can pan for gold in the river.
Who says you can’t have an après-ski even if you don’t ski? After spending some time on the mountain, warm up with a cup of coffee, sip a craft brew, or refuel with hearty mountain fare at one of the cozy bars and restaurants on the historic main street. Make a reservation at locals’ favorite upscale restaurant, Rootstalk on North Main. Don’t miss their legendary French onion soup, and the duck is great if you’re feeling adventurous!
Stay: Gravity Haus
Highly rated by Condé Nast Traveler, Breckenridge’s boutique Gravity Haus is the perfect modern mountain hotel for a group of skiers and non-skiers. Located at the base of the mountain, Gravity Haus is well-situated for those headed up for a day of skiing and those who want to go into town.
Gravity Haus’ amenities are what so many visitors come to experience. Staying at the hotel gives you access to heavenly spa services, including hot tubs, cold plunges, and a sauna. Plus, the hotel’s restaurant, Cabin Juice, is a favorite spot for great food and craft cocktails. This is my kind of mountain resort!
Deer Valley, Park City, Utah
Deer Valley is one of North America’s most highly-rated ski resorts and one of my favorites! Deer Valley and Park City both are loved for their relaxing atmosphere, great restaurants, and wide variety of non-skiing outdoor activities. Things non-skiers can do range from bobsledding at Utah Olympic Park to soaking in views from the Jordanelle Express Gondola or getting into the backcountry with snowshoes. Exploring the town is an adventure on its own—Downtown Park City is ideal for a day of strolling and shopping. Yes, ladies and gents, it’s a fabulous small village for shopping. Enjoy eclectic boutiques and local art galleries while admiring the town’s historic architecture. This extends to the stunning and incredibly relaxing spa at the St. Regis. Lounging in the spa’s indoor and outdoor relaxation pools is the perfect way to end the day in Deer Valley.
Downtown Park City is known for its strong selection of restaurants, such as long-time favorite Riverhorse on Main. Those looking for an unforgettable dining experience have to try the Viking Yurt special dinner: a sleigh takes you up the mountain to a Nordic-style yurt, where you’re served a six-course European meal. The panoramic views from the peak alone are worth the visit!
Stay: Stein Eriksen Lodge
If you’re looking for a luxury experience in Park City, I highly recommend staying in one of Deer Valley’s upscale accommodations. The award-winning Stein Eriksen Lodge is one of the area’s BEST, from its suites with private outdoor hot tubs to its 5-star, European-inspired spa. One of the lodge’s highlights is having dinner or sipping a drink in one of the on-property restaurant’s “alpenglobes,” which keep you warm in the cold winter months. It’s an amazing experience!
Courchevel, France
This extraordinary ski resort and its namesake town are situated in the Alps of southeastern France. Courchevel is part of the largest linked ski area in the world, Les Trois Vallées, and is renowned as one of the Alps’ best luxury ski resorts. It’s the kind of place families like to make a tradition out of visiting, with many visitors returning every year.
Though the area is known for some of Europe’s best piste skiing, you’ll find plenty of people go for a luxurious Alpine village experience. One of the top things to do in Courchevel for non-skiers is spend a day at Aquamotion, a spa and ultra-luxurious water park that is great for both adults and kids. Adults can relax in the heated outdoor pools surrounded by snow or float in the salt pool, while kids (and adventurous adults!) love the water slides and indoor surfing.
There are plenty of opportunities to get out on the mountain sans skis, too. Dog sledding led by Courchevel Aventure is an unforgettable experience, and so is a night-time ride on a snow groomer (also organized by Courchevel Aventure). If you want to get some exercise, the Les 3 Vallées mountains have extensive routes of pedestrian paths for walking, or you can try out snowshoeing!
stay: Grandes Alpes Private Hotel
Courchevel’s oldest boutique hotel is still one of the most luxurious. The Grandes Alpes Hotel is designed to accommodate all groups of travelers, with extravagant hotel rooms for one or two visitors to expansive suites with multiple bedrooms, fireplaces, and wine cellars. The on-site restaurant, the Sylvestre, is run by two-Michelin-starred Chef Sylvestre Wahid, and the Bellini Lounge Bar’s music and cocktails are ideal for an aperitif or digestif. The hotel’s spa has the latest modern wellness offerings, and the facilities include a hammam, sauna, and pool.
Innsbruck, Austria
The historic Austrian city of Innsbruck sits at the base of the 7,401-foot-tall Nordkette mountains. The city is an international hub for winter sports, and it’s surprisingly easy to access the peaks with a cable car, which takes you from the city center to the top of the mountain in only 30 minutes. (Even if you don’t want to ski, don’t miss the chance to take the cable car; you can snap photos of the jaw-dropping views and try fondue at the Seegrube restaurant!)
Innsbruck, home to 300 thousand people, is the place on this list with the most things for non-skiers to do. You’ll especially love it if you enjoy imperial or modern architecture — there’s the Imperial Palace, the Bergisel Ski Jump designed by Zaha Hadid, the 16th-century Ambras Castle, the City Tower, the Golden Roof, and many more. Nature enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the one-of-a-kind gardens at Swarovski Crystal Worlds or Innsbruck’s Alpine Zoo, which houses 2,000 native Alpine animals.
Stay: Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz
Because the slopes near Innsbruck are so easily accessible from the city center, there are much more accommodation options that will please a mixed group of visitors. The hottest hotel making all the top lists is Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz. Built in the 15th century, the downtown Innsbruck hotel once hosted Mozart. Under new owners, the ancient hotel was overhauled in 2021 and is now a Michelin Guide Hotel. The hotel’s top-floor bar, the “Blaue Brigitte,” is highly rated for its moody-yet-modern vibe and tasty regional foods and drinks, like the local Tirol Kola — water flavored with spruce needle extract, Swiss pine and exotic kola nut. Cheers to that!