Family Snow Holidays Without Skiing
Snowy mountains, cosy chalets, and endless adventures — no ski boots required. Explore Zakopane or Bansko with your family this winter.
Snow Holidays Are About More Than Skiing
Not every family member wants to spend the holiday on a ski slope. The best family snow holidays without skiing are packed with adventures everyone enjoys — from sleigh rides through snowy forests to soaking in thermal baths.
Adventure-Packed
Sleigh rides, snowmobiles, snowshoeing, horse riding — more thrills than a ski pass.
For Every Age
Activities for toddlers to grandparents. No experience or fitness level needed.
Surprisingly Affordable
Eastern Europe = half the cost of the Alps with double the charm.
OUR DESTINATIONS
The Best Family Snow Holidays Without Skiing in Europe
Poland's Winter Playground
At the foot of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is Poland’s most beloved winter destination — and it’s one of the best ski resorts for non-skiers. Your family will never run out of things to do. It’s also one of the best options for cheap family snow holidays without skiing, because of the low food and accommodation prices.
ADVENTURES WE ORGANISE FOR YOU
Even More to Discover in Zakopane
Ready for Zakopane?
We’ll handle everything — activities, transport, and your dream chalet. Just show up.
Bulgaria's Mountain Gem
Bansko delivers the full alpine experience at a fraction of Western European prices. Our family-friendly chalets here have won Best Ski Chalet Bulgaria four years running — and the non-skiing adventures are just as award-worthy.
ADVENTURES WE ORGANISE FOR YOU
EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN
Ready for Bansko?
Award-winning chalets, adrenaline-filled adventures, and home-cooked Bulgarian meals await.
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
Chalets That Feel Like Home
Rent full chalets, or rooms in shared chalets for smaller families.
Best rated chalets for family snow holidays without skiing.
Zakopane Chalets
Traditional highland architecture with modern comfort. Perfect base for families.
Shared or sole occupancy • Up to 25 guests
B&B available • BBQ • Board games, PlayStation 1
Bansko Chalets
Award-winning chalets with outdoor hot tubs and home-cooked meals.
4x Best Ski Chalet Bulgaria 🏆 Dinner on 3 nights
Outdoor hot tub • Games lounge for family nights
WHICH DESTINATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Zakopane vs Bansko
Zakopane | Bansko | |
|---|---|---|
Best for | Food, culture, hikes Families with younger kids | Adventures, sports, day trips Families with teens or older kids |
Child-care | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Top family activities | Kulig horse sleigh, ice maze, funicular train, thermal baths, hikes, mouse museum | Snowmobile & ATV safari, horse riding, snowshoeing, hot springs, wine tasting |
Budget option | ✓ Shared chalets | ✓ Shared chalets |
Day trip options | Krakow, Slovakia, Auschwitz | Rila Monastery, Dobarsko, Melnik |
Flight from UK | Kraków (2.5h) | Sofia (3h) |
Can’t decide? Go to both! Ask us about multi-destination trips.
DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
What Families Say
Large (9off) multi generation family holiday making full use of the chalet. Youngest 3 oldest 62. Everyone enjoyed the accommodation, clean roomy 4 bathrooms, location ideal. Advice given by the very friendly and always available hosts was invaluable . Two of us went on the skidoo snowmobiles and that too was excellently organized and great experience, We also did the horse sledge and BBQ sausage and cheese with mulled wine.
Brilliant staff, happy to accommodate our needs. The kitchen crew made great meals and the best lemon drizzle I’ve ever eaten.Rooms were spacious, shower was powerful. Hot tub was hot and clean.Transfers to and from town were on time and enjoyable. Affordable and satisfying experience all round.
Bansko, January 2024
This was our first full family holiday away together…The build up to the holiday was made very simple and easy with excellent communication from our Snowmad host Maks. He promptly answered any questions… he sent us extremely helpful website links to help arrange and organise every aspect of our stay. Maks and his family were the perfect hosts and l would most certainly recommend to other members of my family and friends…
FAMILY SNOW HOLIDAYS WITHOUT SKING
Frequently Asked Questions
What can families do on a snow holiday without skiing?
Family snow holidays without skiing in Europe offer a mix of outdoor adventures, unique traditional food and comfortable accommodation with in-door activities for relaxed days-in. Sleigh rides, fascinating parks, museums and galleries, winter hikes and relaxation in local hot springs and thermal baths. Ask your host for the best activities happening right now!
Are Zakopane and Bansko good for families with young children?
Bansko and especially Zakopane have some incredible experiences for families with young children. For example, Zakopane has sleigh rides, toboggans, a miniature mouse city and illusion museum, and much more. And if you’d like to have a night out, the chalets offer child-care so you can leave your children in the capable hands of an experienced nanny.
How much does a family snow holiday without skiing cost?
Renting a whole chalet for a full week will cost £2000 on average, depending on the week and the size of your group. A room with an en-suite bathroom will cost about £240, with a discount for children (shorter stays are also an option). Most museum entries are extremely cheap or free, while activities & sports adventures are £50-£60 on average. Feel free to contact us for an estimate for your stay, as prices change depending on the season!
Do you organise the activities or do we book them ourselves?
You can talk to us in the chalet and we can organize everything for you and your family. We can also send you links for additional information and self-booking options.
Can we book a whole chalet just for our family?
Absolutely. Snomads has plenty of sole-use chalet options you can choose from – entirely at the disposal of your and your family.
What meals are included?
Bansko stays include comprehensive breakfast buffets every morning, free afternoon cakes and a 3-course organic locally-sourced dinner on 3 nights. In Zakopane, you can opt for a breakfast upgrade, and use the chalet’s fully-equipped kitchen to prepare food at your leisure.
What's the best time of year to visit?
For both Bansko and Zakopane, the winter season is December-April. For family snow holidays without skiing, we recommend late January to late March, as the snow can be thick, while the weather is warmer.
Your Snow Adventure Starts Here
Tell us about your family, when you’d like to travel, and we’ll arrange the perfect family snow holiday without skiing in Europe.
Typically respond within a few hours • No commitment required
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