Your partner or friends are desperate for a winter sports holiday, but you hate skiing or snowboarding. This doesn’t have to be a problem, since the world’s ski resorts are full of lovely ways for you to fill your day without ever having to go near a board or pole.
Champoussin, Switzerland. Image courtesy of Trailsource.com under Creative Commons licence.
Still want to get in amongst it?
If you love the fresh mountain air in your nostrils but just don’t have the skill for snowboarding or skiing, there’s an array of alternative activities out there. Dog sledding, snow rafting, snow mobiling, bobsleigh, helicopter rides – you name it, there’s an exhilarating experience with your name on it. And you’ll be able to hold your head high when your companions return from the slopes each day with their “extreme” tales of broken bones and high-speed collisions.
Lonely Planet, alternative winter sports
Canadian Wilderness Adventures, Whistler, BC
Meribel Snow Biker, Meribel, France
Snowshoeing fun. Image courtesy of Brian Giesen under Creative Commons licence.
A slower pace
You might not care at all that your friends think you’re a wuss, and dream of more sedate excursions for your winter break. Take in the amazing scenery and taste the great outdoors on a snowshoeing, ice fishing or cross-country ski trip. Please note that cross-country skiing does involve skis and poles, but much less expertise or nerve than the downhill variety.
Swiss Mountain Leader walking and snowshoeing holidays
Copper Mountain Colorado snowshoeing
Après-ski in Salzburg, Austria. Image courtesy of Ian A Gratton under Creative Commons licence.
Extend the après ski
It’s rude not to partake in a little après ski; in fact you could probably spend an entire week nicely sozzled in a cosy bar or eatery. But to avoid knocking back the schnapps on your lonesome, and at least pretending you’re doing something useful, you could indulge in a wine tasting session or sample the culinary delights of the region.
Hotel de Charmes les Airelles, Courchevel, France
Chez Vrony, Zermatt, Switzerland (in German)
Dick’s Tea Bar, Val d’Isere, France
Krazy Kanguruh, St Anton, Austria
Pamper yourself, you’re worth it
If you need a break from pickling yourself, you could try a healthier method of preservation. Most ski resorts offer spa facilities, from basic to ridiculously luxurious. So while your holiday mates are off breaking their wrists and bruising their bottoms, you could be having yours buffed and toned to perfection.
The Telegraph, the world’s best ski-spa retreats
Le Ludicur fitness centre, La Chaudanne Hotel, Meribel, France
Stowe Mountain Lodge, Vermont, United States
Local colour and culture
Believe it or not, in many ski resorts there is life beyond the mountains. Delve into the wider cultural scene and enjoy jazz and film festivals, galleries, museums, theatre, cinema, markets and, of course, the shops.
Sundance Film Festival, Utah, United States
Snow Jazz Gastein festival, Austria (in German)
Ski Club Great Britain resort guide
Have you got any creative ways to avoid the slopes? Let us know!
When travelling to the slopes think long and hard about how you get there. Flying is still the most popular option however the costs and the time spent in the air, in queues and on the road quickly mounts up. You’ll also have the cost of transfers to and from Stress levels, both adult and children can easily max out at the airport. It’s possible now to catch the train to many resorts in Europe with little or no transfer time. Taking the overnight train means that you’ll be on the slopes the following day after you and your family have had a good nights sleep.;
Our blog
<="http://www.caramoan.ph/history-of-caramoan/