Perhaps you ski but your friend or partner doesn’t. Or perhaps skiing just isn’t for you but you still crave snow-capped peaks and mountain air. Either way, if you’re a non-skier, you might be wondering: can I go to a ski resort and not ski?
You absolutely can. In fact, as a non-skier, you’ll be free to enjoy the literally hundreds of other activities ski resorts have to offer, and you can still have full access to the mountain with a pedestrian pass.
But what can you do on a ski holiday if you don’t ski? If you’re an active person, there are dozens of other ways to enjoy the snow, from dog-sledding and tobogganing to fat biking and snowshoeing. Or if you just want to relax, book yourself in for a spa treatment, or eat and drink your way through the many fantastic bars and restaurants in your resort of choice.
If you’re a mixed group of skiers and non-skiers, you need to find a resort that caters to both. Look no further. We’ve done the research for you and selected the best ski resorts for non-skiers across the Alps and beyond.
Have a read about our top resorts for non skiers and what activities they have to offer.
Which ski resorts are best in the alps for non-skiers?
The Alps offer countless activities for non-skiers, and these resorts are the best of the bunch:
Chamonix
Zermatt
St Moritz
Avoriaz
Ellmau
Seefeld
Aosta
Cortina
The best ski town in the Alps for non-skiers: Chamonix
If we had to recommend just one of the Alps' 1,100+ ski resorts for a non-skier, it would be Chamonix.
Start with its beautiful setting: you can explore this charming, traditional Savoyard town, which is France’s oldest resort and has breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, for days. With a pedestrian pass, you can ride the highest cable car in the country to access 360º viewing platforms across France, Italy and Switzerland, and reach half the mountain’s restaurants to meet up with your skiing buddies for lunch. There are many other ways to enjoy the mountain. You can guide or ride a sledge pulled by huskies, take the little red train to the Mer de Glace glacier, or book a snowshoe excursion. If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, try a tandem paragliding flight, or brave the 1,300km Alpine roller coaster in the Les Planards ski area.
The best ski resorts in Switzerland for non-skiers: Zermatt and St Moritz
Zermatt and St Moritz clinch the top spot for us here.
The Matterhorn, Zermatt
Zermatt
It’s Switzerland’s best-known ski resort, but is Zermatt worth visiting for non-skiers?
Absolutely. With that iconic view of the Matterhorn, and narrow, car-free streets lined by weathered old chalets, Zermatt offers a picture-perfect trip whether you ski or not, and is one of the most 'Instagrammed' resorts in Europe. Wander to the Hinterdorf area behind the Monte Rosa Hotel for the best example of Swiss, Alpine charm, explore the multitude of boutiques, and don’t forget to visit the Fuchs Bakery. To really get a feel for the town and its history, check out the Matterhorn museum and the peaceful but humbling Mountaineer’s cemetery.
When you’re done in town, take the 125 year-old Gornergrat Bahn railway, which crosses old bridges and passes through tunnels and forests to a viewing platform at 3,100m - the train ride is as scenic as the destination. You can also get up close and personal with that famous peak on the Matterhorn Glacier Ride cable car, or even book a helicopter flight.
And of course, there’s also sledging, ice skating, and snowshoeing for the active, and, in town, even an escape room.
St Moritz
The historic resort of St Moritz has 150km of walking and 180km of cross country trails to explore the area.
No need to worry if that’s not your thing as the resort hosts many sporting events such as the famous ‘White Turf’ horse races at the lake which has taken place since 1907!
Explore the history of the resort at the Segantini Museum which holds around 50 works of the late nineteenth century painter Giovanni Segantini. The twelfth century leaning tower situated opposite the Kulm Hotel is also worth a visit. For adrenaline seekers, the resort also has the world’s oldest Bobsleigh track, the Olympic Bobrun which is over 1.7km long. Book in advance and experience high speeds and g-force with 2 pros. You see exactly what they do in an Olympic race.
The best ski resort in France for non-skiers: Avoriaz
There are loads of resorts in France that are well-equipped for non-skiers, but Avoriaz pips the others to the post.
Both Avoriaz and neighbouring Morzine offer excellent activities and amenities for non-skiers, but we’d recommend the former for sheer variety, especially if you’re visiting as a family. Known for its stylish wooden high-rises and cliff-top location, Avoriaz is, like Zermatt, car-free, and as a purpose built ski resort, it has been designed to cater to the needs of all types of visitors, not just skiers.
For family fun, the Aquariaz water park has a waterfall, series of pools, slides and water gym sessions three days a week as well as an open air hot tub. Also for families, the Village des Enfants in the resort centre is an ideal space for children to play whilst parents can easily keep a close eye on them. For a traditional experience, why not go on a horse and cart ride or go ice skating at the resort rink opposite the Carrefour supermarket. For an apres drink, the Igloo Village is a great meeting point located on the plateau above the Prodains gondola. It features elaborately designed igloos as well as an ice bar that not only serves drinks but an array of charcuterie and cheese - yum!
Take a horse and cart ride in Avoriaz
The best ski resorts in Austria for non-skiers
The quintessential towns of Ellmau and Seefeld take the top two spots for Austria.
Ellmau
Ellmau is a charming mediaeval town in Austria’s largest ski area, the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, and there are plenty of things to do here for non-skiers.
You’re more likely to see a horse-drawn carriage than you are a car in this very traditional Alpine resort, and with its cosy bars, boutique shops and high end hotels, it’s the perfect place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. When you’re done wandering, there are husky rides, a toboggan run, ice skating, and bowling to enjoy.
Ellmau also offers stunning views over the Kitzbuhel Valley, which are best enjoyed from one of the aforementioned horse-drawn carriages.
Seefeld
Seefeld is particularly good for non-ski activities.
The resort is very popular among leisurely skiers as well as non-skiers, thanks to its bijoux ski area and array of alternative activities. Its quiet atmosphere and easy slopes make for a more relaxing ski holiday - great if you're looking to head to the mountains for a bit of R&R. It has 142km of walking paths as well as cross country trails, snowshoeing, tobogganing, sleigh rides and ice skating. Its Olympic Sport Centre also provides a fantastic array of activities, including swimming in its indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and family slides.
Ice skating in Seefeld
The best ski resort in Italy for non-skiers
The Italian cultural hotspots of Aosta and Cortina are our best ski resorts in Italy for non-skiers.
Aosta
Roman ruins and monuments aren’t something you typically associate with a ski trip, but in Aosta (known as the Rome of the Alps) that’s exactly what you’ll find.
Non-skiers with a penchant for ancient history are well-catered for, then, but what about everyone else? Aosta is actually a beautiful old city in the heart of the eponymous valley rather than a dedicated ski resort, but you can take a 18 minute cable car straight from the town centre to Pila, a modern resort that’s great for intermediate and advanced skiers. That means the non-skiers get all the benefits of a city break, while the skiers are just a gondola ride away from the slopes.
Cortina
Experience Cortina’s cultural, artistic and sporting heritage in this Olympic town.
If you love shopping, the Corso Italia is one of the most famous shopping streets which has a unique atmosphere. The Fiames Nordic Ski Centre is a focal point for cross country skiing, offering varying lengths of tails for a range of abilities. For something a bit different, you can try snowkiting where you are pulled along by a wind powered kit on skis or a board or check try some curling! The Cortina Curling Centre is open from December to mid April and has instructors with national team athletes available to give individual or group lessons. Its Olympic Ice Stadium is also open to the public for ice skating and has instructors available if needed.
Quintessential Cortina
The best ski resorts outside the Alps for non skiers
The Nordic resorts in Finland, Norway, and Sweden are continuously gaining in popularity, thanks to their ability to provide for both skiers and non-skiers. We also think Bansko, Panorama, and Breckenridge do a great job of entertaining on the non-skiers in the group, too.
Levi, Finland
Levi, in Northern Finland, is a fantastic resort for skiers and non-skiers.
This picturesque part of Lapland can be explored by foot, snowshoe, snowmobile, and even reindeer. If you're lucky, you might meet Santa or even witness the Northern Lights. Be warned, due to its latitude, temperatures are very cold in Levi - we’re talking an average of -6 to -12 in mid winter, and it can even drop to -30. However, the resort is well-equipped with indoor spas to shelter and relax in.
Panorama, Canada
Panorama is a small, purpose built and traffic-free village in British Columbia that offers everything you’d hope for from a non-skier-friendly resort.
Expect all the regular non-skiing activities, both active (snowmobiling, fat-tire biking, snowshoeing) and less-active (horse-drawn carriage rides, glass-bead making). It’s also home to Canada’s largest slopeside hot pools up at Toby’s Creek.
Bansko, Bulgaria
If you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten track, we’d recommend Bansko.
This old town is in the foothills of the Pirin mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Non-skiers can explore the cobbled streets, stone buildings, lovely shops, museums, and exhibitions in the nineteenth Century village. There’s also ice skating, bowling, snowmobiling, paragliding, and a spa for when you’re all cultured out.
Breckenridge, USA
Having the facilities of a medium sized town, Breckenridge has more than enough to offer in order to keep you entertained, including a cinema, swimming pool, shops and its own art gallery.
Winter activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling and husky sleigh rides. It also has unique gold mine visits, as Breckenridge is an old gold mining village, dating back to 1859 when miners came during the gold rush. Or visit the Breckenridge Distillery and take a tour and taster of its Bourbon, Gin and Vodka. If getting creative is more for you, Ready, Paint, Fire will be right up your street. It is a paint your own ceramics, canvas and mosaic studio and is a lot of fun for all ages, for families and also groups of friends.
Breckenridge, USA
Book your next winter holiday with Iglu Ski
If you’re a mixed skier and non-skier group looking for your perfect next holiday, you can book a trip to any of these fantastic resorts through Iglu Ski.