What to Do on a Ski Holiday… When You Don't Ski?

Oct. 19, 2023

Afraid of getting bored? Of being left out? Of being judged by winter sports enthusiasts who ski from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. nonstop? Stop! Your fears, which were legitimate 20 years ago, are no longer valid today. To convince you, we’ve put together our best reasons to take a ski vacation… without skiing!

I'm afraid I'll get bored…

After all, it’s understandable: as a matter of common parlance, we generally refer to “ski resorts” and “ski vacations,” when in reality we should really be talking about “winter sports resorts” and “winter sports vacations.”

Because, no—on a winter vacation in the mountains, skiing isn’t the only thing to do, far from it! You’re probably already familiar with the classic activities like snowshoeing and dog sledding—they’re must-dos. But resorts are constantly getting creative to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to experience the mountains in new ways: from the air (paragliding, microlight flights, zip lines…), in—or even under—the water (ice floating, ice diving), or at night (trapper camps…). You’re spoiled for choice! And since you’re not paying for a ski pass anyway, you might as well treat yourself to a variety of activities.

Another idea: You could also embrace the “slow tourism” trend (for once, a trend is good for the planet—you’d be wrong not to give it a try…). Take your time. Take advantage of staying at a vacation rental to sleep in (without the time constraints of a hotel breakfast).

Enjoy your morning yoga session in peace while everyone else is out on the slopes (you’ll have plenty of space in your apartment for your more or less acrobatic poses!). Go for a walk along the trails and marvel at the glistening fresh snow in the cold winter light. Stop by the cheese shop and sample a variety of Beaufort cheeses—some more aged, others less, including summer and alpine varieties. And because slow tourism is, above all, an ecological commitment, choose a resort accessible by train and bus, such as La Plagne, La Rosière or Tignes.

I don't want to spend my vacation all by myself!

First idea: Focus on group activities and take advantage of your vacation to meet new people! Snowshoe hikes, led by a mid-mountain guide, are ideal for exploring the surrounding valleys at your own pace. Depending on your fitness level (and the kind of scenery you’re looking for), you can choose a leisurely stroll or a more challenging and fun route. You’ll discover all this while chatting with your fellow adventurers for the day, who are likely on a similar level to you. You might even want to exchange phone numbers to share a raclette dinner after spending two or three hours exclaiming “ohhh” and “ahhh” as you spot a bearded vulture in the sky or a chamois through your binoculars!

Second idea: Get a non-skiing pass and meet up with your friends, brothers, or cousins at a mountain restaurant for lunch! It’s your chance to ride a ski lift “just like everyone else” (without having to worry about skiing down). And to get a closer look at that famous ski area they’ve been raving about for months…

Third tip: Choose your activities based on the guide’s resume. It’s a unique opportunity to chat with extraordinary people! For Tignes For example, you could chat with adventurer Alban Michon at the Ice Floating site. Or go flying with an instructor who has competed in several paragliding World Cups.

Finally, the fourth and last idea: plan at least one group activity in the evening so you can all spend some time together. A bobsled ride in La Plagne, a trapper camp evening in Tignes, or an X-treme sledding adventure in La Rosière…

©Ken Ohigashi

I won't be able to participate in the conversations…

Not only will you be part of the conversation… but you’ll be the center of it! Because you’ll be the only one in the group to have done something different. Something intriguing . Even something exceptional.

Ice diving, paragliding, or microlight flights (in Tignes), bobsledding or zip-lining (in La Plagne), a wonderful massage by the expert hands of Robin, silver medalist in the 2016 competition for France’s best massage therapist (also in La Plagne)… You’re sure to make everyone jealous—whether they’re thrill-seekers or just looking for a little relaxation!

Whether you ski or not, there’s always going to be a debate about what to have to bring together lovers of Savoyard specialties at the end of the day: “Tonight… should we have fondue or raclette?” We suggest you spice up the conversation even more by adding tartiflette to the list… And to think you were afraid of being left out of the conversation!

What if I still want to ski (just a little)?

While some people choose to go on a ski vacation… without skiing, for others it’s something they “have to put up with.” This is the case, for example, with new parents, who set aside the ski slopes for two or three years in favor of sledding and building snowmen. Or skiers with troublesome knees, who are no longer able to ski down the slopes for hours on end. Or even “old-timers”—those aged thirty and older—who didn’t have the chance to learn to ski as children and no longer dare to give it a try as adults.

For all those frustrated skiers, however , there is a simple solution: day passes—or even half-day passes!

This way, new parents can leave their children with a babysitter once or twice a week, allowing them to enjoy some time just for themselves on the slopes and at the mountain restaurant (between family activities) without feeling too guilty.

Skiers with sore knees will no longer have to worry about paying for a weekly pass that they’d only be able to use part of the time. If that sounds like you, we recommend taking advantage of your half-day on the slopes to try out the Mojo exoskeleton, designed specifically to relieve knee pain for skiers (available for rent at some sports stores—be sure to check!).

And beginners can experience the joy of skiing without the pressure of having to love the sport (or risk wasting their money). And what could be better than getting back into it with a ski instructor?

So, are you feeling reassured? Have a great ski vacation… sorry, I mean: winter sports vacation!

Back to articles in the "Passion for the Mountains" category