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Activities you can do in a ski resort that aren't skiing or snowboarding
If you're thinking about planning a ski season abroad and entering the glorious lifestyle of six months at a time, but you're new to snow sports and worried they might not be for you. I may just have a few solutions for you. After all, as much as us powder hounds live to slide on the snow, I appreciate that not everyone finds the levels of joy in it that I do.
This post is mainly tailored to ski resorts in France and Austria but I will also detail more New Zealand specific fun too, along with links to places too book or find more information.
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Sledding/ tobogganing
Ski resorts often have a course or hill set up for those who want to rent a sled or go snow tubing or tobogganing. If not, you’ll likely be able to find one within driving distance in many ski resort locations. Snow tubing is one of my favorite snow activities although it can sometimes be hard to find good courses or hills for adults.
Snowshoeing
This is something id really love to have a go at. It combines my love of hiking the my love of the snowy mountains all into one sweaty pleasure. All you need is a pair of winter boots as most resorts offer poles and snowshoe rentals that will attach to your boots. Many ski resorts also offer guided hikes as well. If you want to head out on your own, ask if the resort has a map of suggested snowshoe treks.
Cross country skiing or Nordic skiing
Some resorts have some impressive cross country skiing tracks for you to experience the job of being high up on the glorious snow capped mountains without any of the down hill speed thrills. Most resorts will offer equipment hire and the opportunity to be taught and/or guided. Once you have some experience you can also head off on your own and go ski touring.
Snowmobiling
Are you a non-snow sports adrenaline junkie? Do you feel the need for speed on something that perhaps you can entrust someone else to control and steer for you? Snowmobiling is on my top 10 list of things to do in my life. It isn't much of a thing here in New Zealand but it's a fantastic opportunity in many of the European resorts.
Snowmobiling is a fun way to explore and cover longer distances. Most snowmobiles can be ridden by one or two people at a time, and most companies offer guided tours as well as hires.
It’s a lot of fun and isn’t too hard to learn the basics, but do be careful as you can get it stuck in a snowdrift and the machine can tip so do pay careful attention to safety instructions and go only as fast as you (and your partner) feel comfortable.
Ice skating
Some ski resorts may have a frozen over pond or indoor skating rink you can use. If not, there is likely a skating rink within driving distance.
Visit the towns and villages around
Just because you are staying at a ski resort doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time there. Unless you are in a really remote location, plan some trips to nearby towns and villages to visit museums, cultural attractions, go shopping, and check out local events and festivals. You’ll often find walking tours, food tours, and museum passes in towns/cities to help you get more out of your visit.
Horse and carriage rides
You may have seen them in the promo videos for the resorts especially the larger flashier resorts such as Chamonix, Zermatt and Courchevel. Horse and carriage rides can be an lovely romantic way to spend an afternoon - a great first or second date with your new season flame too. Some resorts around the world even offer experiences with reindeers, sled dogs and all sorts!
Play in the snow
You are never too old to play in the snow. Build a snowman, an igloo or a snow fort ready for your snowball fight. Get your friends out with you and have a snowball fight. Make snow angels. Create a magical masterpiece of art in the snow.
Stay warm with hot drinks
No matter which resort you're in in the world , everyone can appreciate a cozy hot drink out of the harsh weather.
One of my favorite thing about going to cold snowy places is that it is a perfect excuse to indulge in drinking lots of hot drinks like hot cocoa and elaborate coffee drinks. Looking for something with a bit more punch, try an Irish coffee, hot toddy, glögg (mulled wine), or hot buttered rum. Ski resorts and bars are pretty good at offering a good array of hot drinks
Practice your winter photography
Winter is the perfect tie to practice your photography. Firstly because you'll find the main attractions are quieter in the winter, second its a great time to get surreal winter landscape photos or practice your action photography by capturing those skiing or snowboarding moments.
Just because you don't want to ski or snowboard doesn’t mean you can't use your company season pass to get the gondola or chairlift up to the après bar - some are even accessible on foot or by road. Join your friends in a round of shots and some table top dancing madness. Après bars are also a fabulous opportunity to say hi to fellow seasonnaires and make some new friends.
Spa time
This one applied to all ski resorts around the world. if your idea of a holiday involves pa facials, massages, and lying poolside with a cocktail in hand, then hitting the spa could be your favorite day off activity. I’m with you on this one! If this is a bit of you, then my suggestion is to fid out where its possible, have your fingers crossed they have a gym attached too for you to use to stretch and keep your ski strength and get a membership for the season- make sure to ask about a company discount!
Some spa companies in some resorts offer in-chalet treatment and may even be willing to give you your facial or massage from the comfort of your staff accom- not an option everyone will be thrilled about but still nice.
Catch up on your reading and other hobbies.
Pack your books, magazines, and e-readers and settle down in front of a fire or on a cozy enclosed patio and read while others are hitting the ski slopes. This is also a perfect time to work on doing other tasks that maybe you don’t have time to do much in your day-to-day life, such as doing crossword puzzles, writing letters, making a photo album, watching movies, knitting, or finishing craft projects.
Just make sure that you plan things that are enjoyable rather than making you feel like you are doing work! Even if you are skiing, the short days make for long nights which are perfect for spending some quiet time reading, watching a film, or playing cards or board games.
Appreciate the peace and serenity
I associate the winter with quiet peaceful sounds outside. Icey trickles of water down streams, snow melting on the trees, animals scurrying through the snowy woodland. It almost seems easier to find places without people and the cold snow creates a stillness in the winter scene.
Head out on your own or enjoy a nature hike with a guide to learn more about the flora and fauna and the history of the land.
Christmas markets and holiday events
Christmas is a magical time. Ski resorts light up at Christmas time with families on holiday, kids seeing snow for the first time, people sharing and giving and putting the daily stresses aside. Of course Christmas during your season only happens in Europe and with it comes glorious Christmas markets filled with delicious treats and sensuous smells as well as other holiday events such as concerts, firework displays parades and more.
Adventure Parks
Many of the ski resorts we’ve been to offer adventure parks, although normally these are designed for kids and families. However, some places also offer ones for adults. These vary a lot but often include things like rope courses, swings, zip lines, climbing walls, snow tubing, etc.
New Zealand activities
Sledding (mainly one for the younger kids up at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables they have recently introduced something called a Yooner which is similar to sledging but a whole lot more fun). Click here to book.
Backcountry helicopter tours- this can be done with snow shoes. Click here for more info about guided walks.
Queenstown- take a boat ride on the TSS Earnslaw, a steam boat!
BBQs on the beach toward the end of the season
Nature and tree walks. Click here for more Queenstown walk inspiration.
The social scene- bars and restaurants and great artisan coffee
The wine scene- New Zealand is hoe to some of the best winemakers in the world and Queenstown and Wanaka are prime examples of that. Wine tours can be taken all year round!
Hiking. This country is absolutely stunning. With an abundance of safe hiking tracks for al levels of fitness and experience. Need I say more?
Ice skating - Queenstown and Wanaka both have indoor sports centers with Queenstown offering ice skating and both offering trampolining, and climbing and an outdoor skateboarding ramps and rails.
Queenstown has gorgeous gardens where you can also play a round of Frisby golf.
Are you a fashionista? Queenstown is home to quite a few cool shops and more high street style clothing brands
In a nutshell, there are countless things to do in a ski resort that don't involve hurtling down a mountain side on a plank or two. Some of them do come at a high cost- nothing compared to a season pass. - If your company is willing to pay for your season pass and you're a lover of the gym and spa, perhaps try asking to swap it for a membership at the local sport center or to have the cash to use instead.
Others are totally blissfully free.
Interestingly though, why would you need to go on a ski season to start to be interested in some of these activities when you may find them so very close to home.
As someone who has always loved dog walks and weekend hikes with my family, embracing snowy mountain walks came naturally on my ski seasons, along with reading a book in front of the fire and my love for a good cuppa. If you can find your own thrills at home, you're damn sure going to be able to entertain yourself on a budget in the mountains especially since you'll be surrounded by like-minded people.
I hope this article has given you some food for thought and if nothing else, has inspired you to start or get back to doing something you love.
Theskinomad.com is littered with other blog posts full of ideas of things you can get up to both during and outside of ski seasons, whether you're on your own for the day or you have friends about who want to get stuck in too.
TheSkiNomad.
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