Ski resorts look like cool places, don’t they? They are usually located somewhere scenic, with crisp mountain air and stunning views.
I like crisp mountain air. And stunning views. But, fact is - I don’t ski. I’ve never been skiing, nor do I have the desire to even try to ski. (That’s a HIGHLY inappropriate thing to say in the Annual Ski Issue, right?) So, what’s a girl to do? What if I want to vacation in a ski town, but I don’t want to ski? What if my family wants to ski -- am I destined to sit, alone and bored, in front of a fire reading a book for an entire weekend? Oh, wait, that doesn't actually sound too bad ...
For those of you in the same boat as I am - adventurous with no urge to ski - I've created a list of 14 great ski vacation solutions for the non-skier.
Bobsledding Experience. Utah Olympic Park, home to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, maintains the bobsledding track used by the athletes. Each bobsled is driven by a professional pilot, who takes up to three passengers per bobsled. And it’s perfect for thrill-seekers – riders can expect to reach speeds up to 60mph, all in less than a minute. Riders must be at least 13 years of age, and must weigh at least 75 pounds. Of note – Utah’s Olympic Park has other activities for the non-skier, from ziplines to ropes courses to an alpine slide. Perfect for families!
Dog Sledding Adventure. Some of the wintry vacation areas offer dog-sledding as an adventure option. Up to the challenge? New Hampshire's Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel offers them year-round. The dog-sledding experiences are designed to be hands-on and are adjusted to the comfort level of each guest. At Muddy Paw, participants ages 2 and up are given the opportunity to meet and greet rescue and second chance sled dogs, help harness and hitch their team and even help drive the sled (at musher discretion for guests and dog safety)! And, as an added bonus, the proceeds generated from tours at Muddy Paw go directly to covering the expenses involved in rescuing the sled dogs. It's a win-win!
Dog Sledding Adventure. Some of the wintry vacation areas offer dog-sledding as an adventure option. Up to the challenge? New Hampshire's Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel offers them year-round. The dog-sledding experiences are designed to be hands-on and are adjusted to the comfort level of each guest. At Muddy Paw, participants ages 2 and up are given the opportunity to meet and greet rescue and second chance sled dogs, help harness and hitch their team and even help drive the sled (at musher discretion for guests and dog safety)! And, as an added bonus, the proceeds generated from tours at Muddy Paw go directly to covering the expenses involved in rescuing the sled dogs. It's a win-win!
Snowmobile Tours. Snowmobile tours offer the thrill of the view and the experience of the snow on a motorized, driven vehicle. Resorts like Zephyr Cove Resort offer such experiences in beautiful Lake Tahoe. Tours at Zephyr Cove reach 9,000 feet above sea level and feature over 45 miles of trails. Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center offers the added convenience of clothing, rentals, free hotel shuttle transportation and snowmobile/cruise packages. Operators must be at least 16 years old with proof of age. Riders can be as young as 5 years old.
Sightseeing Cruises. Also offered at Lake Tahoe's Zephyr Cove Resort, cruises are another alternative to skiing and provide a different way to take in scenery and majestic views. The resort maintains two paddlewheelers and one yacht, and guests have the opportunity to see Tahoe's crystal blue waters and towering peaks. Daytime dinner cruises are offered.
See a Show. In the mood for a show? Venues such as the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, Colorado, offer a full line-up of live theater and entertainment. At the Vilar, skiers and non-skiers alike can enjoy dance, Broadway, comedy, and much more.
Head to the Waterpark. Wait. What? A waterpark at a ski resort? Yep - Jay Peak Resort in northern Vermont offers the Pump House Indoor Waterpark, a full-fledged indoor water experience complete with flowrider, lazy river, chutes, and slides. And for kids and kids-at-heart, the resort also houses a full-fledged arcade, which promises advanced/state-of-the art video, 3D and ride simulator games.
Try Tubing. Ski destinations like Sun Valley, Idaho offer tubing as an entertaining alternative to skiing. Sun Valley’s Tubing Hill sits conveniently on the area's Dollar Mountain by its Half-Dollar lift, where it’s easy to get in some runs of old-fashioned family fun. And, if you're in the mood for something warm, Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge is nearby for warming up with a mug of hot chocolate. Sun Valley also offers ice skating and ice shows, sleigh rides, and movies in a charming 340-seat theater.
Take a National Park Tour. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is considered a winter wonderland, with natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife that makes it an awesome destination to experience the best of winter scenery. Tours are available - guests can take a guided wildlife tour or experience Yellowstone on a guided snowcoach. Tourists have the opportunity to witness roaming elk, deer, wolves, and more. And on guided snowcoach tours, visitors will learn the history and experience the beauty of the nation's first National Park - and even get to see Old Faithful erupt!
Go Sleigh Riding. Oh, what fun it is to ride on a one-horse open sleigh. At Stowe Mountain Lodge in Vermont, guests can experience Vermont on a two-horse open sleigh. Riders will see animals, take a trip into a forest, and see snow-capped trees. Rides are available just for couples or for families. Would you like to skip the horse-drawn sleigh? Stowe Mountain also offers horseback riding. Additionally, the lodge is located near the world famous Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and the historic train station - even more options for the non-skier.
Ride a Gondola. Many ski towns and resorts offer Gondola rides that promise incredibly scenic views. Telluride in Colorado is no exception. The Telluride/Mountain Village gondola has served as a one-of-a-kind transportation system – the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in the United States. The gondola links Telluride and Mountain Village and serves both as a lift for skiers and snowboarders and as public transportation for locals and visitors. The 13-minute ride has breathtaking 365 degree views of the San Juan Mountains.
Do an Adventure Canopy Tour. Here's another option for thrill-seekers and adventurists - canopy tours at Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire. Situated high on the slopes of Bretton Woods and descending over 1000 feet of elevation, the 3-hour tour takes nature-lovers and thrill-seekers across a series of tree-top zip lines through a network of platforms high in the ancient hemlocks. Adventure Guides describe the native flora and fauna, as well as the surrounding area. At this resort, there's also an indoor rock-climbing wall, as well as snowmobiles, horse-drawn carriages, and ice skating.
Explore a Natural Wonder. Mountainous areas are almost guaranteed to deliver natural beauty. The Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region of Colorado is certainly no exception. For instance, there's Seven Falls in the South Cheyenne Canyon, also called “The Grandest Mile of Scenery” in Colorado. Crystal clear water from the Pikes Peak watershed has shaped a splendorous natural box canyon that promises to be a visual treat. And the towering Pillars of Hercules that flank the canyon rise to over 900 feet above the canyon floor. From the pillars' pink granite stone flows the only waterfall in Colorado to have earned a spot on National Geographic’s list of International Waterfalls! This area also boasts Garden of the Gods and the majestic Pike's Peak (where visitors can take a train to the top - another bonus for the non-skier!)
Experience a Spa. Ah. The spa. Most ski resorts boast relaxing, rejuvenating spa treatments with a variety of services offered. The Remede Spa at the St. Regis Deer Valley takes it a step further with a service called The Bear Dance Ritual. According to folklore, local Native American tribe members gathered around fires in winter to share stories of their history and survival. As winter drew to an end, it was time to perform the Bear Dance to celebrate and release stresses and tensions. The St. Regis Deer Valley spa offers the ritual to release stress and tensions with a revitalizing, purifying and exfoliating treatment for face and body. Definitely a step from a regular spa experience - the adventurous non-skier would be intrigued!
Go Shopping. Ski areas can be a shopper's delight for non-skiers and skiers alike. Vail, Colorado, for example, offers hundreds of shops from boutiques to outdoor gear to art galleries. Shops are located in pedestrian friendly outdoor environments set to the backdrop of the Gore Range and Vail Mountain. A stroll, with local shops, on the backdrop of a beautiful mountain, with the possibility of new shoes - sounds heavenly!
Of note: many resorts also offer snowshoeing, snow tubing, and ice skating options. Plus, ski resorts are often located near area museums, zoos, and other special attractions.
So, fellow non-skiers, we can experience the crisp mountain air. And stunning views. And we don't have to ski!
