Any non-skiers go on holiday with skiing family? What do you do?

[Hightideattheseaside]

My husband wants to take the kids skiing next year. I have never been and really don’t have any urge to try. I’m not naturally sporty and feel this could be a disaster waiting to happen as I have torn the ACL on both knees. Plus, I am no adrenaline junkie and would spend my life on the baby slopes cold alone once the kids have got the hang of it which seems pointless. I’d much rather spend mega bucks on scuba diving somewhere warm!

If you you don’t ski but go on the trips what do you do all day? While kicking back and relaxing with a book and enjoying the amazing scenery sounds great I would be worried I would get bored after a few days.

I went on a skiing holiday with DP to a place in Italy. My requirement was that we stayed somewhere lovely so that if it turned out I hated skiing it wouldn't be miserable for me. I hated skiing, and it was an amazing holiday! The b&b we stayed in had a lounge with a roaring fire all day, and a permanently staffed bar with fantastic wine. I basically relaxed in decadence then went out for nice meals when DP came back from skiing.

Now with children the worry I would have would be if they didn't like it, because that's trickier (depending on their ages).

Thanks for all your replies. Firmly noted about not attempting skiing with my dodgy knees. Just confirmed what I was thinking.

Sounds like I could have plenty to keep me busy if I pick the right place. I absolutely love hiking and enjoyed snowshoeing in Canada a few years back. A peaceful day walking on the snowy trails sounds blissful.

Point also noted about not becoming the chalet bitch that wrangles the kids and does all the grunt work. This makes me tempted to book myself a break somewhere else (warm). But part of me wants to see the kids enjoying the snow and sounds like we could have some fun together in other ways while there.

I think location and clear expectations before going could be key on this one. Thanks all!

I stopped skiing in my mid 40s as I lost my nerve, by which time DS was better than me so I would go hiking, sometimes wearing snowshoes, or out for lunch by myself, or meet DS & DH for lunch by using the cable car, or stay in the chalet all day reading.

It was great. DH is now XH & DP doesn't ski - he prefers hiking :-)

@Elpheba when DC aren't at ski school though are you the primary parent whilst the other parent skis? This is my concern when we start going from next year. I feel like if I (as someone who doesn't love skiing) go on a skiing holiday with DH and the kids what will basically happen is I'm going to end up entertaining the kids in the ski resort whilst DH goes off and has a lovely solo time skiing. Which doesn't feel very fair really!!

This would be my major concern as that doesn’t sound like a very fun trip! Would be happy to let DH have a day or two across a week totally to himself to do as he pleased but I would expect the same in return!

I do this every year. I generally meet everyone on the mountain for lunch, hike and perhaps do a day trip. I also shop for and cook dinner and get through a lot of books. Love it!

Cross country skiing

Spa/swim

Read/coffee

When DC aren't at ski school though are you the primary parent whilst the other parent ski

^

Basically yes. Unless your dh has a day off skiing to parent when the kids aren't in SS

I absolutely hate actual skiing - we go every year! I have a lovely time, pottering about, going back to bed for a nap, reading, walking, shopping, cafes, I have a fabulous time!

Because everybody else (DH, 2x tween/teen DC) feels a bit guilty they hand the evenings over to me to do 'whatever I like' - so I often choose the restaurant or the activity, I get a day of peace and a lovely evening, happy days!

DH definitely has a harder time than me, he's the one controlling the dare devils on skis. They don't go to ski school anymore, but when they did, he only had the lesson time to himself, he was skiing with them otherwise.

I've done several like this- read in nice lounges ( hence why we don't stay in apartments unless one's with a proper nice lounge or good aparthotel) take nice walks, porter around shops. Places like chamonix and kitzbuhel or cortina or Zell are good for this rather than pure 'just' ski villages - when we stayed in seefeld ( love seefeld) I went to the public pool and spa ( very good) and took train into Innsbruck only about 15 minutes away

@okayhescereal yes I probably do a bit more but he still does a lot. We go in a big family group, all the in-laws so there’s plenty of sharing and plenty of people to chat to and dip in and out with. I don’t think I’d be as keen to do it if it was just our nuclear family as at least this way we’re spending time with wider family as well. Agree there’s something about ski-ers feeling guilty about non ski-ers even though you’ve just been sitting in a cafe with a book!

I love skiing but am not well enough to ski the whole time

• hot tub
• pick a chalet with lovely views (or find some restaurants with lovely views ) and sit and read
• cable car rides
• research resorts with other things to do- pools /museums /etc. some resorts are much better than others for non skiers

The mountains are so beautiful that just soaking up the scenery is a wonderful holiday in it's own right.