Benefits of skiing without skiing

[SebastianTheCrab]

By which I mean copious amounts of hot chocolate and cheese (not burning calories).

Obviously all a bit moot atm but I'm having a few post-Covid travel fantasies and wondering if anyone can advise.

I've been skiing in my life about 3 times. I'm not very good and probably much worse now that I'm terrified of heights (so ski lifts are out). I don't mind doing baby slopes.

I'd also like my toddler to see proper snow and maybe have a go and basically to have the kind of situation where it was 30-40% skiing and 60-70% eating, enjoying the view, maybe walking a bit, looking at cute Alpine shops. And my husband probably wouldn't ski at all as he doesn't know how and doesn't have any interest in it (and is also nervous on things like ski lifts).

Would it still be worth going on a holiday like this or are skiing holidays (especially considering the expense) purely geared up for super serious skiers?

We did this a few years ago. Stayed in a ski resort but did not ski. Lots of sledding and snow play for the kids. We took the lofts to see the views and had lots of hot chocolates. It was great fun and I would highly recommend it. We went to Seefeld as it was very easily accessible.

@Wiifitmama

We did this a few years ago. Stayed in a ski resort but did not ski. Lots of sledding and snow play for the kids. We took the lofts to see the views and had lots of hot chocolates. It was great fun and I would highly recommend it. We went to Seefeld as it was very easily accessible.

Thanks for the reply! I'll google the resort.

Go to a real town that isnt just a ski resort.
Zell am see is nice.
Meribel has nice snowy walks and snow shoeing is easy to do.

It sounds like really what you want is a holiday in the snow, rather than a skiing holiday? Ski resorts are really expensive, and full of people on skis and snowboards. Why not book to go somewhere else where there's snow, but an emphasis on other stuff than skiing?

Full disclosure - I love skiing, and find it difficult to understand why you'd want to go to a ski resort but not ski!

You could go somewhere like Annecy area which has the lake and access to the snow as well...we did that and stayed in a gite. There was a little local slope place with sledging etc nearby. Can also get the train to the top of Mont Blanc.

You could look at going places that are known more for their cross country skiing than down hill, they are more likely to have walking etc. Should be places to hire snow shoes to go off on walks.

Grindelwald! Switzerland. I’m going here after lockdown for just this sort of holiday

I go with friends most years - some ski fanatics who want to spend all day everyday on the slopes, some who just want to do a few days or part days, and some non-skiers. We always pick an independently hosted chalet (with hot tub, natch) somewhere outside of a resort and near or within a town with decent facilities. Last year we went to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and it was perfect - some of the best pistes for the skiers but the town is built in the mountains on thermal spas so thermal baths, swimming and snow-hiking for the non-skiers - one of my favourite memories has to be swimming in the heated open air swimming pool with snow-covered mountains all around me!

I do not wish to ski, I do want lots of snow in a pretty village set up with lots of nice restaurants and bars. That’s why I’m going. Plus it’s a magical place.

Snowshoeing is great. Walking,burning calories then eating.

I love skiing and I love the warm sunshine in the alps or Pyrenees but fit you maybe a Scandi snow holiday? Norway or Finland? (But it will be much colder).

I agree it's best to go for a city break and seek out the sledging slopes from there!
We went to Germany -Black Forrest- a few years and visited some Christmas Markets as well for a lovely winter holiday.

Last year we went to a ski resort. DH and the DC went skiing every day. I hung about with the dog, went on long walks, enjoyed the snow and scenery, did lots of reading.
Was bliss!

I'd pick a nice town rather than ski resort then. Chamonix, St anton, Wenger and zermatt come to mind.

I love skiing and I'm not a "serious" skier (love the big lunches and scenery) but personally wouldnt recommend ski holiday to non skiers! Or perhaps a long weekend otherwise theres only so much to do. But to each their own

I've done this a couple of times, once when pregnant, once with a toddler. You can definitely make a nice holiday out of it. I would make sure you go somewhere that has bad weather entertainment options for a toddler e.g. pool, soft play, as you don't want to be holed up in a chalet or apartment for a week if the weather's bad.

I find Italian resorts are good for this, or chamonix which is a real town

Cross country skiing, snow shoeing, even sledding “resorts”. They do exist and in my experience are much more mellow than places catering to skiers and snowboarders.

Yes agree Italians are way more chilled. French and swiss skiers can be very serious, I find.

Bulgaria or Nordics too?

Thanks all - although it was so blimmin' cold today mentally Ive already moved on and am now dreaming of beaches 😂