Top 5 resorts for non-skiers
Article updated every 6 months. Last updated 14th December 2007
Author: Sean Newsom (Travel expert) Ask me a question.
More about Sean Newsom
Sean Newsom loves skiing so much that he has made it his job, writing for The Sunday Times as their ski editor. He is also founder of welove2ski.com, the UK's leading specialist ski website.
"Skiing fast in the sunshine with your friends is one of the purest and brightest pleasures I know," he says. "Absolutely everyone should give it a go. If it were up to me they'd be giving ski and snowboard holidays away on the National Health. It would improve Britain's winter well-being in an instant!"
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You don't have to be a ski enthusiast to enjoy a snowy holiday.
Here's our top 5 resorts for those of you who are going on a ski holiday but not going skiing...
The ultimate bribe for a non-skiing partner begins with the words 'Let's go to Aspen'. This is one of America's most handsome ski towns, with shops straight from Rodeo Drive and the same clientele to boot. There's plenty more for non-skiers besides - from yoga workshops to comedy festivals - lots of it laid on for the well-heeled locals rather than visitors, so it has a more authentic and dynamic feel.
Read more about Aspen
Chamonix is a proper town rather a one-dimensional ski resort, and has plenty of fizz when the skiers and snowboarders are out for the day. And despite its reputation as the capital of extreme-skiing, it has a seriously sybaritic alter ego. Luxurious hotel rooms, top notch restaurants, and groovy cocktail bars are all there to be sampled - alongside the usual range of winter activities.
Read more about Chamonix
If no-one in your party is keen on the downhill, but you'd like a taste of winter all the same, Seefeld could well be the answer. The pistes are limited in extent, but not the cross country skiing trails, which snake over this snowy plateau for 280km. Innsbruck is within easy day-tripping distance, too.
Read more about Seefeld
Boredom is out of the question. High-end shopping and restaurants are complemented by lots and lots of snowy activities, from tobogganing to cross-country skiing. At certain times in the season, even golf, cricket and horse-racing become snowsports in the resort. Finally, there's the famous Cresta Run, although it's a men-only activity.
Read more about St Moritz
The mountain restaurants are the main attraction, coupled with the view up to the Matterhorn. But whatever you end up doing, Zermatt is just a nice place to hang out - walled in by massif peaks and full of Alpine atmosphere.
Read more about Zermatt
Who do we recommend?
With so many companies to choose from, we have researched the market to find those with a wide range of choice as well as some that are more specialist. Browse our list below to find the right company for you, then click through to their web site for more information and how to book. It couldn't be easier!
Further guides on ski holidays