5 ski resorts for the non-skier
Going on a ski trip doesn’t have to be all about the slopes.
These destinations provide the non-skier in the family with plenty to do without sliding downhill, but where you can still easily meet up together for lunch or après, writes Natalie Mourad.
Park City UTAH
Located 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, Park City is filled with activities both on and off the slopes. With a Town Lift accessible from the slopes and Main Street, avid skiers in the family can easily meet with those not so ski-keen. Learn about the history of Park City through the artworks at the Mountain Trails Gallery followed by lunch at Riverhorse on Main with a variety-filled, scrumptious menu (think frog legs, Maine lobster tail and buffalo short ribs) and live music. Unwind at The Stein and heat things up with an on-site board game battle and hot chocolate – whipped cream included. parkcitymountain.com
Whistler CANADA
Whistler is hailed as ‘the ultimate playground’ for family fun and if mum, dad, grandma or grandpa doesn’t want to ski, there are so many ways to keep busy without feeling left out of the snow fun. Family-friendly highlights include tackling tightropes, cargo nets and ziplines at Whistler Tree Adventure Tours and tobogganing and snowshoeing at Whistler Olympic Park. Located at the base of the Creekside Gondola (for ski-in, ski-out convenience), Dusty’s Bar & BBQ will get you cosied up to replaces both indoors and outdoors and live shows will get you dancing while feasting on drool-worthy barbecue specialities, making it the perfect après-ski destination. whistlerblackcomb.com
Read more about travelling with kids:
- Family adventure time! Why the NSW South Coast is a brilliant Winter wonderland
- 7 easy ways to stop your kids squabbling in the car
- Konnichiwa kiddo! A mum’s guide to visiting Tokyo with kids
Val d’Isère FRANCE
Nestled in what started out as a tiny mountain village centuries ago, today Val d’Isère is a scenic and fun-filled treat with one foot in the past and the other firmly showing the way in the ski world. With accommodation centred around the intimate village, it is easy for non-skiers to fill the day and, with a free shuttle bus connecting to other villages, you can organise to meet the family for lunch at a different village each day. Swim, spa or play at the Aquasportif Centre, visit the Val d’Isère Museum, browse the shops and enjoy dinner in a different family-friendly restaurant every night. Pier is a good choice; choose from the gastronomical, gourmet menu for adults and a kids’ menu for your mini shredders. valdisere.com/en
Thredbo NSW
With panoramic views and mountains blanketed in snow, Thredbo is always wonderful for families. While others enjoy skiing, Thredbo Village is jam-packed with activities for non-skiers. Visitors can bounce on the Springfree Trampoline, twirl at the The Acrobatic Centre of Excellence (ACE) and splash at the Thredbo Leisure Centre, which has a water slide and inflatable obstacle course. Meet with skiers and catch a ride on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to Australia’s highest restaurant, Eagles Nest, and enjoy a tasty treat from the à la carte menu. thredbo.com.au
Tomamu JAPAN
Those sans ski and board at Tomamu can opt for leisure time swimming or lying by the pool at Mina-Mina Beach during the day and exploring the Ice Village by night with its ice rink and Snow Marshmallow Bonfire for the kids and Bar Icewood for the adults. Rejoin the rest of the family at Hotalu Street après-ski by taking an undercover walkway that leads to Japan’s first mountain shopping and eating district at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. There are plenty of options to get your tastebuds tingling with Japanese cuisine before hopping back towards the slopes or exploring Hotalu Street’s nine boutiques. snowtomamu.jp/winter/en
This story was originally published by Holidays with Kids.
