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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.
Our take: "Chamonix is our first choice when the non-skier wants a holiday of their own rather than a week spent waiting for everybody else to finish skiing. The separate ski areas can make arranging spontaneous meet-ups less straightforward, so agree where you’ll have lunch before the skiers set off. Planpraz is one of the more convenient options: pedestrians can ride the gondola from town and enjoy the Mont Blanc views while the skiers explore Brévent-Flégère."
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.
Our take: "Zermatt is particularly good if you're a couple with different plans, because a non-skier can reach much more of the mountain than they can in most resorts. Riffelalp and Sunnegga are good places to arrange lunch without either person having to return to the village. In the evening, you can enjoy all this luxurious resort has to offer, including high-end spas and fine dining. Try to book a table at Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni in the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof for an exquisite meal in Swiss splendour. But our favourite is Madre Nostra, a charming Italian with incredible views of the Matterhorn."
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 on the frozen 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.
Our take: "St Moritz is a dream if you're a non-skier with a taste for the finer things. The town is divided between Dorf and Bad. Dorf is more convenient for the main shopping streets, while Bad gives you easier access to the lake and spa facilities. And do check the events calendar before booking: timing your visit with spectacles like White Turf, the I.C.E classic car event or the Snow Polo World Cup are unmissable."
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 striking 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, parents can leave their kids in capable hands of the Village des Enfants, a kids' club in the resort centre, while they enjoy the resort. 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!
Our take: "In compact, car-free Avoriaz, you're always close to the slopes and lunch meet-ups are straightforward. There are public outdoor elevators and escalators that help pedestrians navigate the snowy streets, but do make sure you bring sturdy, flat boots with good grip. Choose centrally located accommodation near Aquariaz and the main facilities, or consider staying lower down in Morzine, where there are conventional pavements and a broader choice of shops and restaurants."
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.
Our take: "For the best combination of convenience and atmosphere, stay within walking distance of both the centre and the Hartkaiserbahn rather than in accommodation scattered farther along the valley. The Wilder Kaiser itself dominates the view, so even a simple valley walk feels like a proper mountain outing."
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.
Our take: "Seefeld is our pick for if you're a non-skier who wants to get outside every day rather than simply shop or visit a spa. The plateau makes winter walking feel less daunting than in steeper resorts, and many routes lead naturally to a café or mountain hut. Its downhill area is comparatively modest, however, so it might be better if the skiers in your group value a more relaxed approach to skiing over covering a huge ski domain."
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.
Our take: "Stay close to the historic centre and gondola station so the group can separate easily in the morning and meet again without relying on a car. While you won't wake up amidst snowy pistes, you'll have far more independence and variety in this beautiful old town, and you will still have spectacular views of the monutains."
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.
Our take: "Cortina suits non-skier who wants mountain scenery without giving up the pleasures of a proper Italian town. Stay close to Corso Italia if the non-skier will be exploring independently, as the ski areas and some scenic attractions are spread out and require a bus or taxi. Lagazuoi is the outing we'd prioritise on a clear day: it delivers the high-mountain experience without requiring skis."
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.
Our take: "A husky safari, reindeer ride and Northern Lights evening give the week a natural rhythm in Levi, rather than leaving one person to entertain themselves while everybody else skis. Build in some unscheduled time too: Arctic activities can be expensive, and a quiet walk through the snowy forest is often just as memorable."
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.
Our take: "Panorama makes logistics simple because the accommodation, slopes and principal facilities are close together. That convenience is also its limitation: this is a small resort village rather than a bustling town, so it is best for someone content with outdoor activities and quiet evenings. If the non-skier values shopping, museums or lots of independent sightseeing, Banff or Breckenridge would provide more variety."
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.
Our take: "Stay between the gondola and the old town rather than treating the lift station as the centre of the entire resort. The two areas feel quite different: the upper end is convenient for skiers, while the old quarter provides the character. Walking between them lets a non-skier combine cafés and spa time with a more cultural afternoon."
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.
Our take: "Breckenridge is the strongest North American option in this list if you're a non-skier who wants to come and go independently. Stay close to Main Street rather than at an isolated slopeside base, as that puts the restaurants, shops, galleries and transport within easy reach."
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.