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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to go on holiday with skiers when I don't ski?

47 replies

letsjusttryit · 21/09/2013 09:42

Been invited to go on a skiing holiday with friends - location not decided yet but will be xmas/new year time. They ski, but I don't and have no interest in doing so, but would like to go away with them.

Is there actually anything for a non skier to do? They're thinking or Austria or France. Are some locations better than others?

OP posts:

QuintessentialShadows · 21/09/2013 12:43

I would only go if I intended to have lessons and learn to ski. It is fun.

I am terrible at downhill skiing, but love cross country skiing. I have always been out on the slopes, either sitting just enjoying the landscape (and a book) between lessons and attempting the smaller easier slopes.

Now that my sons (aged 8 and 11) are very competent skiers, they go on the black runs with my husband, and I feel more on my own.

Maybe I will have some company again on the "learner slopes", if they decide they want to snowboard!

But if you dont plan on doing any kind of skiing, then dont go. Save your money.

specialsubject · 21/09/2013 12:49

don't do it. Way too expensive (even without the ski costs) to sit and be bored.

ski resorts are for skiers. Only those with not much skiing are any good for anyone else. Both countries have plenty of high alpine places with very little else to do, and what there is will be eye-wateringly expensive.

maybe for a weekend, but that's it.

Primrose123 · 21/09/2013 12:55

I love skiing, although I didn't think I would, so if I were you I would give it a try!

If you're not going to be skiing, I agree you need to be in the right type of resort.

Ask your friends if they would consider going to Wengen in Switzerland. There is so much to do. There are helicopter and plane rides, a carless village with shops and cafés, you can take the train down to Interlaken and further if you choose, you can take the train up inside the Eiger and visit the glacier, weather station, huskies and ice cavern, and best of all you can visit Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn, which is where On Her Majesty's Secret Service was filmed.

It's easy to get around the resort if you're a non skier, so you could meet your friends for lunch. Also, I would choose a hotel with a pool if you like to swim. These pools are usually kept quite warm, and they are nice to sit around and relax at while looking out at the snow!

Primrose123 · 21/09/2013 12:59

Although, having said how great Wengen is, I personally wouldn't go, unless I was going to ski. :)

Lavenderhoney · 21/09/2013 13:02

I've done it, and it was ok- ice skating, little trains ( Switzerland) but as people want to go to bed early and get up for the lifts, it can be dull. Also listening to endless ski talk, and its so cold! Used to like sitting in the mountain top cafes watching people ski though. I hate skiing myself, just not for me. I wouldn't go though, if I preferred to spend the money on something else:)

I've been on a number of diving holidays and I don't dive, but i am happy to snorkel ( bit scary in open water) But you go on a nice boat, dives are only 45 mins I think, 2-3 times in a day, and they can't dive on the last day because of flights and compression or something. Plus dive holidays tend to be in nice places:) you have to get up really really early though.

hardboiledpossum · 21/09/2013 13:09

Sitting in mountain top cafes reading and drinking is great in march when there is some sun. Not so such fun over new years when it is ridiculously cold. I love skiing but i don't think i would bother going if i didn't ski.

Tavv · 21/09/2013 13:20

I think I'd feel a bit like a party-pooper and a spare part TBH, so no I wouldn't go.

Teapigging · 21/09/2013 13:28

As others have said, it depends entirely on where. I don't ski, and have never gone on a 'skiing holiday' as such, but we usually go each winter to stay with friends who have a chalet in the Bernese Oberland. I always have a magnificent time walking on cross country ski routes, poking around local villages (excellent public transport) and lolling around reading, drinking gluhwein and enjoying the landscape, while the others ski.

Teapigging · 21/09/2013 13:29

Forgt to say this this is only possible because the chalet is close to a village near a lot of excellent skiing, but not a 'resort' as such.

MrsDavidBowie · 21/09/2013 13:34

If don't ski but dh does.
I have contemplated going with him and a group, but don't want to have to listen to après-ski talk in the evening.
Quite happy with my own company...I go away on my own...but I hate the cold, don't want to fork out for specialist clothing.
And while he is happy staying somewhere basic I am not.

Ditto Australia...I have no desire to go there...he has taken ds for 3 weeks the last couple of Christmasses.

SatinSandals · 21/09/2013 13:36

I wouldn't unless you go to a town like Kitzbuhel or Zell Am Zee. Even then you need to be sure that you are happy on your own and realise they will talk skiing,when they are not on the slopes, and the weather can be bad, even late in the season.

Tuppenceinred · 21/09/2013 13:57

I had 3 days doing some fairly interesting stuff, including going on a horse ride. By then the two of us non-ski people were starting to think we were soon going to run out of things to do. Then there was a 3 ft of snow overnight, and a lot of the walks we planned were impossible. Bored, bored, bored. And yes, the skiers were boring and we were left out of about 80% of what they were talking about. And the buggers went to be early because they were knackered.
Ski school doesn't help - someone from your group might take you for a little pootle a couple of times, but they'll be pining for the red and black runs and missing their adventurous mates.

MakeTeaNotWar · 21/09/2013 14:06

I did this last year - in Morzine - and was bored to tears. Will never waste my time & money again

Comfortable · 21/09/2013 14:33

I love the mountains so would probably go anyway especially if the accommodation is decent.

I reckon there's no chance it will be good.

Compared to the summer holiday accommodation I've seen in brochures recently (have never done summer holidays) ski accommodation will cost two or three times as much and be a tenth as good.

Ski holiday accommodation is for people who spend no time in their rooms, the common parts aren't much better.

I think OP shouldn't go if she doesn't ski, and isn't willing to learn.

DuckToWater · 21/09/2013 15:10

I have tried really hard to like ski-ing, and have been three times but I just don't get on with it.

I don't like the expense to go being twice as much as a sunny holiday, the fact that it's really, really fucking cold, the fact you have to put 5 layers on before doing anything, the fact that you can't even walk around the resort without risking slipping over and breaking your neck, the fact that there is a pretty high risk of a broken bone or more serious injury, or death if you go the wrong way, the fact my whole body hurts after a couple of days in spite of being fit before going, that I feel tense and nervous the whole holiday as I'm so scared of falling off the mountain or being stranded at the top while my legs turn to jelly, that I feel like I need a holiday when I get home and always come home ill, the very real risk of someone ski-ing in to me, that I can't just pootle down the slope doing nice big turns because there are too many people in the way...

The things I do like about it are the food and drink, but I'd prefer to go to all the bars and restaurants without all the fucking snow and mountains around...

I'm really glad I've not had this dilemma since we had children as we haven't been able to afford it. We might be able to now and I'm dreading DH suggesting it, as I know how much he loves it and DDs probably would do. I think I would only go as a non-skier if there was a group of us and at least one other person who I got on with well, but Id be tempted not to go at all, as I just can't bear the cold and snow. Also I hate being left out and not doing things so I'd kind of be kicking myself for not doing it a the same time, perversely.

exoticfruits · 21/09/2013 16:00

My husband came once as a non skier-he hasn't been a second time-he was bored.

clam · 21/09/2013 18:22

Dh has always made it plain that if he couldn't ski for some reason (e.g. injury) there's no way he would come.

That used to hack me off because it either meant I'd be solely responsible for the kids' skiing, or it would mean all of us would lose out by cancelling altogether. That was a small part of my decision to go last season, even though I was on crutches. Obviously I couldn't get anywhere near any snow or ice, and our kids are teens and extremely competent skiers, but I could hobble around and be a bit of a help, as well as enjoy the evenings and lunchtimes. As I say, the alternative was sitting at home alone.

spindlyspindler · 21/09/2013 18:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

winklewoman · 23/09/2013 08:49

I love skiing, but on the odd day when because of injury or hangover I have not gone out with the family, I have been incredibly bored. No way would I go for a whole week and have to mooch about on my own all day and then have to listen to everyone's tales of their day's doings all evening.

dalyameredith · 16/10/2013 14:36

Something you might want to try is Snowbiking (skibobs). There are hire centers in specific Austrian resorts and you can use them anywhere a skier can. Think small child's bike with the wheels removed and two skis attached instead. You wear little short footskis on your feet. They are amazing fun for people who don't ski or can no longer ski due to back, leg or knee problems. Only takes 2 hours to learn how to use them. The most popular ones are made by Brenter and they have a website with all the hire locations. We use them every year now and love it. So much easier than skiing.

hellsbellsmelons · 16/10/2013 15:01

Skiing can be great fun.
The most fun ski holiday you have will be your first one.
If you can go into a beginner group you will have the best laugh of your life.
You don't have to spend the day with your friends you can learn to ski a group of people with the same ability as you.
You make great friends and you will have plenty to talk about later with your friends as you swap hilariously funny stories. You will dine on these for years to come - honest!
My first ski holiday was in a group of people and most didn't have partners or friends with them. You really do gel as a group and have amazing fun out there.
You will probably be good enough by day 4 or 5 to join your friends for the afternoon and test your skiing ability.
Go, but make sure you learn to ski. You'll be amazed how great it is. (Well, IMHO anyway)
I never wanted to ski - don't like the cold etc. etc... but when I went I loved it. It takes a little while to click but you get there in the end.
See if your friends are OK with you doing that.

SaucerfulofSecrets · 16/10/2013 18:24

What Nancy said, and also as a skier I want to be staying near the lifts rather than close to/in the town centre. In my experience, a lot of skiiers like to dissect their days, rather like analysing every shot you made during a round of golf. I love that but I can imagine it would get pretty boring!

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