 Poster: A snowHead
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After some advice from all you travel experts in the forum ^_^ has anyone ever been on a family ski holiday where one family member (adult) doesn’t ski. My husband would love to go as he used to be a ski instructor but I really don’t want to ski so need to know if it’s worth it as a family holiday with our kids. I’d be happy to chill out while they are skiing and go to local towns etc but is that practical in any resorts anyone has been to? Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to Snowheads, @RebekahCat. Loads of non-skiers go on winter mountain holidays. It all depends what you want to do - and what you want to do determines what the best destinations are. Personally (I no longer ski) the most important things for me is somewhere attractive to potter round in, with good views, and a comfortable space to sit with a book. I want to be able to fix myself a coffee, a gin and tonic or wine from the fridge at supermarket (not bar) prices and maybe get a simple lunch ready for the skiers return. And that means a self-catering apartment. I would not want to have to choose between a hotel bedroom or a hotel bar/lounge area. I'd want some restaurants to visit (maybe just for a coffee and cake), perhaps meeting up with the skiers, which are walkable, or on a bus service. Going up in a lift to meet skiers up the mountain is good, but not all lifts take pedestrians. And you will need warm clothing (same as skiing).
When I was fitter and younger I would also have enjoyed some walks and snow-shoeing and most resorts have guided walks and snow shoe outings. Snow shoes can be rented easily and cheaply and strap onto any stout walking boots (and you'll need good, non-slippery, footwear.
If your kids are in ski lessons you'll enjoy meeting them afterwards and hearing all about their accomplishments. And sitting somewhere with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and watching them go round and round an easy slope is lovely.
Places where you can do ALL those things are probably limited - you will need to prioritise.
What I'd NOT be bothered about is "shopping" or swimming or spa treatments. We're all different.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@RebekahCat, Welcome to Snowheads. It really depends on your interests, what do you like doing? Any village/town base will have plenty of non-skiing winter stuff to do. Swimming, Wellness, Winter Hikes or maybe Langlauf? If history/arts is your thing then somewhere near to culture (Salzburg/Innsbruck?) might be a good choice. Help us out by giving a few hints.
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@RebekahCat, assuming Switzerland is affordable, somewhere in the Jungfrau domain and take trains to here, there and everywhere, including meeting up with your family at lovely mountain restaurants. With a car, my non-skiing husband also used to find a lot of accessible sight-seeing from Chamonix (No car needed in Wengen etc).
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@RebekahCat, how old are your kids? You’ll probably become the sherpa to get them to lessons etc. but then sweet freedom. If they’re young enough an austria kinder hotel with a spa - you cant go wrong.
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@RebekahCat, In these circumstances I always reccomend Tignes; there is a good indoor sports centre, climbing wall, swimming pool, scuba diving under the lake, ice climbing, skidoo driving and of course walks in very beautiful surroundings. Plenty for the non skier to do.
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GODLORD… Thank you so much for all the advice, I’ve shown my husband and he’s genuinely amazed that it could work as a family holiday with me not skiing - you’ve all made me feel very excited at the thought of what a great time we could all have- afraid I’m still not persuaded to ski though 
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@RebekahCat,
Zermatt (if you can afford it) has plenty of opportunities to meet skiers up the mountains - including over in Italy - for lunch.
For non-ski activities in Tignes have a look at Evolution2.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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My friend loved Alpe d’Huez where she said it was very easy to get up the mountain as a pedestrian and meet her family for lunch.
For my part I’d recommend St Martin de Belleville - lovely new pool/wellness centre, gorgeous French village and plenty of mountain restaurants you can reach throughout the valley with either gondola or passenger bus and some combination.
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My OH doesn't ski but she enjoys leisurely walks in the village and winter hikes but without snowshoes.
She hated Val Tho, was rather bored in Madonna, enjoyed Wengen and Saalbach for the views and opportunities to walk and take mountain chairs/trains etc.
But Zermatt is the place she LOVES returning to.
The views, the old quarter, the mountain paths, the pedestrian access to the mountains in its ski domain.
I am doomed to return there every couple of years
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Sat 19-04-25 9:42; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We're in that situation. Mrs Z doesn't ski
Aosta ticked boxes for us. A small Italian city with shops, coffee bars and a bit of history and a gondola up to ski in Pila.
This year we had a long weekend in Granada (Sierra Nevada skiing was 35 mins drive up the mountain), which scored highly on the non-skiing activities but it doesn't have a particularly good reputation for great skiing - and sadly that was the case for us.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@RebekahCat, I live here so I might be a little biased. Have a look at Radstadt in Salzburgland. Part of the giant Ski Amade ski area. Lovely little historical town with it's own small ski area but linked by free buses to the larger "Snowspace" ski area. Alternatively a short 20 min ride to Schladming. Local Transport is free within Salzburgland for visitors and Radstadt has a train station from which, it is a 70min journey to the amazing city of Salzburg. 1hr transfers from Salzburg Airport. Loads of non-skiing options (along with snow related activities I mentioned in my earlier post).
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sat 19-04-25 12:58; edited 1 time in total
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Depends how far you’re willing to travel! If you fine mind a long flight I’d recommended Banff in Canada. It’s really a summer resort with some ski areas close by rather than a pure ski-town. Even in winter plenty of non skiing visitors. Lots of walks, sightseeing, wildlife, dog sledding, hot springs and so on.
We usually go at Easter (two weeks school holiday) by which time it’s much warmer and pleasanter in the valley, whilst still great skiing on the hill. Always have a couple of non skiing visitors days and never run out of things to do!
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You know it makes sense.
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@RebekahCat, you could consider Andorra. It’s a tiny country with a little bit of everything going on not too far from the ski areas. It makes it a really good place for non skiers to come too as there’s plenty to do with very little travelling involved.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@RebekahCat, this is a question that has been asked here many times before - but usually by a skiing member of the party. Congratulations for being the right person to ask the question, the choice of resort has to be shaped by the non-skiing activities. After all the skiers will find pistes to ski on in any ski resort, regardless of whether there is anything you enjoy doing.
So the important question is what would be the activities that make a holiday enjoyable for you. If all you need is the opportunity to read a good book or several, then any ski resort will do and you just have to make sure your accommodation is comfortable for sitting and reading. For most people though they are likely to want a variety of activities, for example going for walks or visiting other places. Previous discussion has suggested some non-skiers value the availability of a spa, or a local swimming pool.
If that is the case for you, then a purpose-built ski resort (which would be appreciated by the skiers for its ski-in ski-out possibilities) is not the answer, there is often little beyond the shops and restaurants servicing skiers. You should instead be looking at the villages down in the valley with year-round amenities and transport links but where the skiers have to take several lifts to reach the snow.
To give an example, we have a small apartment in the town of St Gervais les Bains. It is only at 850m elevation and there is rarely snow in the town but the lift gives direct access to 270 km of piste with another 170 km needing short bus links also on the ski pass. It is enough of a town that it is pleasant just to potter around, and there is some good walking down at valley level. There is a swimming pool and ice rink if either of those is your thing, and a natural thermal spa if that appeals. Transport links mean it is easy to go to Chamonix (a much bigger town) for the day, or to Megeve if you enjoy gawping at the impossibly expensive designer shops catering for their rich clientele. And as suggested above, you can take the ski lift as a pedestrian and try snow-shoe walks.
I am not particularly recommending St Gervais, it is simply that you should be able to assemble a decent short list of places like that so that your family can then choose a place which suits everyone (and fits your needs in terms of transport from the UK etc).
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Poster: A snowHead
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@j b, wise words 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Another thing to consider is when to go.
Bitter cold can be tolerable if you’re involved in something very active but it’s a different matter if you sitting or just ambling around.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@RebekahCat, another suggestion of St Martin de Belleville (somewhat biased as we have a place there). I can speak from experience after my 23/24 season ended up non skiing as I had a broken arm! I was never bored in 5 weeks. I took long walks with the dog, some involving a bus up the valley and/or a ski lift and a walk back; I met up with my OH and family at mountain restaurants, either lift assisted or reached on foot, took the lifts over to Meribel to join them on a few occasions. This season the new wellness centre was a nice option for a couple of hours. There are some lovely and really varied groomed walking paths all over the valley, and the village itself is very attractive.
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We have been to Kitzbuhel twice with a non-skier in the party (and she has been there again with another group). That has worked well for us - she walks (the tourist office there is excellent for both planned/organised walks and also providing details of routes), goes snow shoeing (again via the tourist office), comes up the mountain one day, takes the train to various places, has a chilled day at home... In short, she has plenty to keep her occupied (not a spa or shopping in sight).
We went to Mayrhofen this year, and she said she'd happily go back there as there was plenty to do - same kind of thing as Kitzbuhel I think. I imagine Zell am See would be the same for a non-skier (although I wouldn't choose it as a skier).
I think many Austrian places are well geared up for non-skiers. They're typically better connected by public transport to other places, and are generally nice towns in their own right. Our non-skier always says it's one of her favourite holidays. She does love the snow though - just not skiing!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@RebekahCat, my own resort of Saalbach may be a suitable choice. It offers a cheap “walking pass” (€120 for 7 days, covering two return trips per day up any of the mountains surrounding the resort), so it’s ideal for meeting skiers in a variety of beautiful locations up the mountains.
It has the highest number of gondolas of any resort in the world, and there’s a good restaurant at nearly every bottom, mid- and top station. In the main Glemm valley you would have easy access to at least nine gondolas, so plenty of variety and choice.
A few years ago I compiled this guide to non-skiing activities in Saalbach:
Guide to non-skiing activities:
IF SKIING’S NOT ENOUGH!
(Last updated 29.04.18 – Prices may have increased)
TOBOGGANING
For some tobogganing fun there are a variety of options on offer in Saalbach Hinterglemm, here is a quick overview:
1. Tobogganing at Reiterkogel (Hinterglemm)
• €7.50 for sledge rental per day + €30.00 deposit;
• With your Ski lift pass the cable car is free.
• Day tickets available daily: 8:30 – 16:15;
• Evening operation: Monday – Saturday: 18:00- 21:30 (lit until 23:00) 3,2 km
• Important: The toboggan run on the Reiterkogel may only be used with in-house sledges.
2. Tobogganing at Spielberghaus (Saalbach)
• €8.00 for the PistenBully + sledge rental, €5.00 for sledge rental
• Pickup (at Saalbach Spielberg turning):
• 12:00 and again from 17:00 until approx. 21:00 every 45 Minuten
• 3km To Spielberghaus approx. 45min (where you can have a meal and maybe a party)
• Please call prior for pick up with the PistenBully.
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)6541 7253
3. Tobogganing at Maisalm (Saalbach)
• €3.00 for sledge rental
• 2km To Maisalm approx. 25min
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)6541 7409
4. Snowtubing
• Tobogganing fun with a twist? Then try snowtubing at Unterschwarzachbahn in Hinterglemm.
• Prices: with a Ski lift pass free of charge (20 rental tyres free to hire on the tubing track)
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 16:00 until 21:30
• Important: Snowtubing is not allowed with ski boots on!
SNOWPARKS
• Here Freestyle is possible for everyone - Snow Trails throughout the Skicircus area
• Nightpark at the Unterschwarzachbahn in Hinterglemm (Monday to Saturday until 21:30)
• Beginners’ Snowpark at Bernkogel in Saalbach
• Funcross-Snowpark at the Hochalm 6er in Hinterglemm
• Skimovie at the Unterschwarzachbahn in Hinterglemm and at the 4er Chair Almbahn in Leogang
• Speed course at the Unterschwarzachbahn in Hinterglemm
• Nitro-Snowpark in Leogang
• Easy-Park in Fieberbrunn
SNOWSHOEING
Every Wednesday or available upon request, a guided snowshoeing tour provided by Anne Lappi (walking time approx. 4 hours). You will need to wear a good pair of winter mountain or hiking boots. Snowshoes and poles are included in the price.
• Prices: 20,00€ per person
• Important: Please register at least one day in advance.
• Contact: +43 (0)664 8752927 or lappianne@hotmail.com
HORSE-DRAWN SLEIGH RIDE
A horse drawn sleigh ride through the wonderful winter landscape at Lindlingalm.
• Prices: 8,00€ per child, 14,00€ per person, for a 1 hour ride with the option to return for refreshments
• Important: Reservations can only be made on an hourly basis
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)6541 7190, www.lindlingalm.at
ICE-SKATING
Available at the Hinterglemm ice-skating rink, located after the Zwölferkogelbahn, on the left side.
• Prices: Entrance fee €3.00, ice skating shoes rental €3.00, a group discount of 10% is available from 15 people.
• Opening hours: daily from 10.00 to 22.00
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)6541 7403, www.sportzentrum-hinterglemm.at
CURLING
A fun game on the ice for both adults and children – for some curling action head to the ice skating rink in Hinterglemm, located after the Zwölferkogelbahn, towards the valley on the left side.
• Price: € 22.00 per hour (including poles and alley.)
• Opening hours: daily from 10.00 to 22.00
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)6541 7403, www.sportzentrum-hinterglemm.at
SNOWMOBILE
Available at Jausern, near Saalbach, you can go cruising on a groomed Skidoo track in the snow.
• Prices: € 12.00 / 10min for children under 15 years old
• € 18.00 / 10min for children from 15 years and adults
• € 54.00 / 30min for children from 15 years and adults
• € 108.00 / 60min for children from 15 years and adults
• Opening times: December to March Tuesday to Sunday 13:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)664 8444323, www.snowmobil-city.at
TEST-DRIVE A SNOW-GROOMER
If you have never driven a snow groomer (piste basher) before, then this could be your chance, available in Hinterglemm.
• Prices: € 109.00 for a 25min test drive (incl. Instruction and supervisor)
• Or a ride as a passenger € 29.00
• Opening hours: December to March, Tuesday to Sunday from 13:00 to 19: 00h
• Important: Please register in advance!
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)664 8444323, www.snowmobil-city.at
QUAD DRIVE
In the Glemmy off-road park you can experience the excitement of drifting over the icy, snowy slopes with quads and buggies.
• Prices: € 11.00 / 10min with a 150cc Quad on a closed track
• € 16.00 / 10min with a 300ccm Quad through the snowy terrain
• € 31.00 / 30min with a 500cc quad across the snowy terrain
• Opening hours: December to March, Tuesday to Sunday from 13:00 to 19: 00
• Important: Please book in advance!
• Contact: Tel.: Tel.: +43 (0)664 3709685, www.glemmy.at
LOCAL & SKI MUSEUM
If you are interested in the 100-year-old ski history of Saalbach Hinterglemm, then this is the right place for you to visit. Spread over 2 levels the museum has a wealth of information, including the development of ski bindings, slope preparing devices, time measurements, lifts, snowmaking equipment and the World Cup held in 1991 and 2014.
• Prices: €2.00 for children under 15 years, €4.50 for adults, €9.00 for a Family ticket
• Opening times: Tuesday and Thursday from 14: 00-18: 00, additionally on a Wednesday during July and August.
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)664 47 67 807
ICE KARTING
This is Karting with a difference – here you can race across the slick ice, the question is, how fast do you dare to go?
• Opening times: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 14:00 – 20: 00
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)676 5175630, www.icekart.at
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE OF THE ALPS (TREE-TOP WALK)
You can walk high up in the trees on Europe’s highest tree top walk – located in the Saalbach Hinterglemm valley and it is possible 365 days a year.
• Prices: Free admission for children under 4 years
• €6.00 for children from 4 years
• €9.00 from 16 years
• €7.00 per person for groups of 15 persons
• Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 21:00
• Contact: Tel.: +43 (0)6217 29029, www.baumzipfelweg.at
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING (LANGLAUF)
If you prefer to go cross-country skiing, then you can have fun along the Talschlussloipe (10km with a 100m vertical drop), at the end of the valley beyond Hinterglemm, or the Höhenloipe in Hinterglemm (2 km with a 1100-1400 m, ascent at the Reiterkogel lift).
And finally…...BOBBY’S PUB (one of Saalbach’s many bars – but oh, so much more than a bar!)
An extremely versatile Austrian bar with a distinctly Anglo-Irish atmosphere, and the nerve-centre of Saalbach! An indispensable source of entertainment for the whole family. You never quite know what kind of an evening it’s going to be – much depends on whether they have a live band or musician playing, or a televised big soccer/rugby/handball match, or tennis, or motor racing….or even skiing. It’s a sports bar with screens in all four corners for those who have a penchant for watching sport; those who don’t usually have plenty to occupy themselves with, even if it’s only chatting with the bartenders, ski bums and locals who can usually be found propping up the bar.
The sound system is excellent, and the music is usually good. The bar staff are happy to accommodate requests. For those who like to dance, there’s a dance floor. Sometimes, by sliding a partition wall, the dance floor is miraculously turned into a ten-pin bowling alley – although it’s not usually needed, as a second ten-pin bowling alley is available all the time, separate from the bar and accessed through a little archway.
As you descend a flight of stairs into Bobby’s Pub, you will first encounter a serving hatch, where you can order food at virtually any time (it’s not unusual for a round of pizzas to be ordered at 03.00am). Some say that the burgers, kebabs and pizzas (about 20 choices of pizza on the menu!) are the best in Saalbach. These will cost you between 5 and 10 euros. However, if you feel like splashing out, the daily special (e.g. curry, chilli, beef gulasch, pork schnitzel, turkey steak, spare ribs – with rice, vegetables, salad, pasta, sauces or other accompaniments) is usually delicious, filling and excellent value.
Before proceeding through an archway into the bar, you will pass through an anteroom, provided with the kind of things that keep children entertained for hours – table football, darts, table air-hockey and those strange machines fitted with a seat, a steering wheel and a screen, for aspiring Lewis Hamiltons.
A convivial time for all – virtually guaranteed throughout the winter and summer seasons.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It was previously mentioned, but you're going to want to go to Banff. Do your own research on this and then thank me and @tommyj later.
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| Ray Zorro wrote: |
We're in that situation. Mrs Z doesn't ski
Aosta ticked boxes for us. A small Italian city with shops, coffee bars and a bit of history and a gondola up to ski in Pila.
This year we had a long weekend in Granada (Sierra Nevada skiing was 35 mins drive up the mountain), which scored highly on the non-skiing activities but it doesn't have a particularly good reputation for great skiing - and sadly that was the case for us. |
That's a shame. Been eyeing this up for the reasons you mentioned. Late season, the conditions looked great.
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FAQ
