Our Top Five Ski Resorts For Non-Skiers
April 23, 2020
We often have requests for ski resort recommendations which are suitable for those with non-skiers in their group. Be that because it’s a multi-generational family holiday with grandparents providing a little complimentary childcare whilst parents ski, or a group of friends with some who just want to go away together and enjoy the mountains.
Whilst choosing a property like the Chalet Les Anges in Zermatt, with excellent facilities including a plunge pool, spa and TV room, will help to provide plenty to do off the slopes, there are some resorts that are better suited than others for those who do not ski. Below I have listed my top five ski resorts for non-skiers based on my personal experiences.
Megève is a resort that in my opinion is ideal for groups with non-skiers. Having been here on a family holiday with first hand experience of travelling with a parent who does not ski, I would really advocate it as a resort that excels on and off the mountain ‘sans skis’.
The resort itself is wonderfully picturesque, teeming with divine boutiques, little cafés ideal for a morning coffee and pastry, and excellent restaurants. One can while away hours exploring the resort and we would often come off the slopes and find our non-skier enjoying a glass of wine or Ricard in one of the lovely traditional Savoyard bars.
The ski area is split up into distinctly different areas areas that are very well connected by public bus and many of the ski lifts take foot passengers as well. This means that those incredible mountain restaurants such as Super Megève aren’t reserved exclusively for skiers and snowboarders.
There are also scenic flights of the Mont Blanc area which are bookable locally should you wish to appreciate the mountains by air and plenty of long lunch-worthy restaurants in the resort centre.
Where to stay?
My top choice would be the modern and utterly divine Four Seasons Megève. This is an exceptional ski-in/ski-out hotel that is ideal for those that do ski but also provides guests with an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, spa, fitness suite and a choice of four restaurants, two of which boast Michelin stars.
Lech:
This quaint Austrian resort is a popular choice with skiers and non-skiers alike. With parallels often drawn to Courchevel and Gstaad, it is known as an exclusive and chic resort.
Lech is easily connected to the whole of the Arlberg ski area which encompasses resorts including St. Anton, St. Christoph and Zurs. This means that guests aren’t confined to just one resort but can explore the larger ski area throughout the week. It is fantastic for skiers and non-skiers in the group to meet for sunny lunches on the mountain. One of my top recommendations for non-skiers is to take the regularly running public bus from Lech to St. Christoph and to dine slope-side at the revered Hospiz Alm restaurant. This excellent spot oozes traditional Austrian charm with lederhosen clad waiters, mountain styling and excellent food. Famous for the slide down to the toilet, lucky guests might get to see the wine cellar with one of the largest private wine collections in Europe – non-skiers might like to speak to their waiter and see if they can negotiate a quick tour!
After a long lunch non-skiers can take the bus on the short journey round to St. Anton and join in with the world-class après ski found at the Krazy Kangaruh or Mooserwirt on the pistes of St. Anton.
For those who wish to stay in resort then Lech has a beautiful domed church and cobbled high street to explore on foot. There are some lovely winter walks in the surrounding area, sleigh rides, ice skating and tobogganing to be experienced. Many guests however will while away sunny afternoons in the exclusive Oberlech area of resort. Within easy reach Oberlech sits alongside the pistes and is utterly saturated with exceptional hotels and restaurants with wonderful terraces. It is the ideal place for a coffee, long lunch and glass of wine and before you know it the whole day will have been taken up with indulgent enjoyment and relaxation.
For guests looking to leave the resort and venture out for a day trip, Innsbruck is within easy reach of the Arlberg region. Guests staying in Lech can either take a taxi or bus to St. Anton and from here take the train to Innsbruck. The journey takes approximately an hour and a half and there’s so much to see and do and discover in Innsbruck. It’s a stunning city which sits in between the Austrian Alps.
Where to stay?
The recent Chalech development provides utter luxury for groups looking to visit Lech. The Chalech 4 sleeps 12-14 guests whilst the Chalech 5 sleeps 8 guests. Both have a shared swimming pool, sauna and spa and provide an in-resort chauffeur service until 01:00am.
Zermatt is an iconic Swiss ski resort often associated with the incredible Matterhorn Mountain. However the resort offers so much more to both skiers and non-skiers alike. This car free resort is chocolate-box worthy, with sensational cuisine and restaurants, interesting culture and plenty to do.
For activities off the slopes there are numerous options. These include winter walks through the pine trees, ice skating in the centre of the resort, visiting the climbers cemetery and the Matterhorn museum. There are also so many wonderful hotels with spas and many of the chalets in the resort have private wellness facilities. Some are so sensational that it is a hard task to find the need to leave the comfort of your own chalet.
The ski area is easily accessible for those who wish to explore and experience the mountain on foot. The Gornergrat Railway runs from the centre of Zermatt up the mountain. A journey which takes about half an hour, it’s a magical experience for those that don’t ski and wish to appreciate the natural beauty of the mountains.
The Sunnegga area of the ski area is reachable by funicular. This sunny spot is teeming with wonderful mountain restaurants such as Chez Vrony accessible to pedestrians (try the Bloody Mary soup)! Many spend afternoons enjoying the warmth of the sun on the terraces of these mountain hotspots and watch as skiers pass by.
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area spans from the resort up to almost 3,900 metres altitude. Guests can explore the glacier palace from 15 metres under the surface, an experience to remember.
For those who enjoy dining out, Zermatt offers over 100 restaurants from Michelin star dining to traditional Valais cuisine. Discover some of our foodie highlights in our blog: Where To Eat In Zermatt, here.
Where to stay?
The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is perfect for those looking to explore the resort. Set in the heart of Zermatt on the highstreet, the position could not be bettered. This palatial hotel provides the best of traditional chic styling alongside a choice of bars, restaurants and wellness facilities.
Often known as a true skiers resort, famed for its revered black piste, Le Face, and for being an off-piste paradise, Val d’Isère provides plenty for non-skiers to enjoy as well.
Val d’Isère is famous for its après ski both on and off the mountain and it is not just reserved for skiers. From the La Daille area of resort guests can take the gondola to La Folie Douce, perhaps the Alps’ biggest power house après ski brand. Long lunches with bottles of rosé wine are par for the course at La Folie Douce’s restaurant, La Fruitiere. This is followed by table stomping après ski as guests can enjoy live music and performances. Alternatively in resort Cocoricos is a popular haunt for après ski enthusiasts and more low-key après offerings can be found at the likes of Bananas, Underground and some of the hotel bars.
For those who want to experience some of what the mountains offer then there is plenty to do. Guests can try dog sledding or one of the many walks through the trees. The lake provides ice diving, there’s also ice driving, and paragliding on offer to name just a few. For those looking to relax or for indoor activities the Centre Aquasportif is wonderful with a swimming pool, spa area, well-being world, fitness centre, yoga, climbing wall and various sports courts.
The Old Town of Val d’Isère is ideal for wandering around, sampling the local delicatessens and popping into the many shops and bars. There is a beautiful church and weekly market in the Old Town with artisan produce on offer, perfect for finding gifts to take back to those at home.
Where to stay?
Gather a group of eight friends or family members and stay at the Chalet Toit du Monde. The chalet is in a superb ski-in/ski-out location in the village of La Daille a well serviced area of Val d’Isère where everything is within easy reach. This beautiful four bedroom property with a private swimming pool and hammam also provides facilities for a little R&R and some gourmet dining.
Just over an hour away from Geneva by car is the French ski resort of Morzine. This is something of an anomaly of a resort because it is almost as busy in the summer months as it is in the winter months. If this isn’t testament to the number of alternative things to do than ski then what is?
The resort is less a ski resort and more an authentic French town. This means that it is well serviced by all the amenities that you could want and has plenty to see and do. The centre of the resort is full with shops, cafés and restaurants, guests can happily spend a day wandering around and exploring.
There are a choice of two leisure centres which are within easy reach. Morzine itself has a brilliant Aquatic Centre in the heart of the resort with a 25 metre swimming pool, plunge pool and sauna. Families or big kids may want to head to the Aquariaz in nearby Avoriaz, it is a water park with rapids, swimming pools, lazy river and water playhouse, ideal as an afternoon activity for children. Avoriaz sits above Morzine and can be reached by pedestrian lift or alternatively by the bus which runs between the two resorts.
In the main square by the tourist office there’s ice skating for part of the winter and nearby there is also snowshoeing for those looking to explore the mountains. Helicopter sightseeing tours, ice diving and plenty of bars and restaurants are on the doorstep to discover as well. There’s even an in-resort brewery, the Bec Jaune.
Where to stay?
For one of the most iconic views of Morzine, the Chalet M is an excellent choice. This luxury ski chalet occupies one of the most enviable spots overlooking the resort. With Jacuzzi, sauna, cinema and games room there’s plenty to entertain guests during their stay.
