Newsflash – you can go on a winter holiday without ever touching the ski slopes. Shocker, I know. Many of us believe that every winter-time getaway has to be a ski trip. Not only is this untrue, but there are countless winter snow holidays for non-skiers, all offering incredibly enjoyable and memorable experiences.
So whether you want to try dog sledding, ice fishing, explore unspoiled walking trails, or simply take in the Northern Lights, keep reading on to see where to do just that.
Yllas is a Finnish fell which doubles as both a fantastic skiing resort and a summer hiking, biking, fishing, and canoeing destination. Non-skiers, however, have much to enjoy.
Things to do in Yllas:
The absolutely stunning scenery of the fell surrounded by forests and mires allows tourists to explore the National Park’s unspoiled beauty by foot or dog sleds, led by trained and happy huskies. You can also swim in ice pools and warm up in traditional wood-fired saunas, making Yllas one of our favorite ski resorts for non-skiers.
The Lapland is also home to the infamous SnowVillage Hotels – accommodation, entirely constructed of snow and ice. You can sleep there, explore the beautiful snow art created by international artists every year, as well as enjoy a classy restaurant with drinks poured into ice glasses.
If you’re looking for an affordable winter holiday then Zakopane is for you. But trust me – you get a lot of bang for your buck in Poland. This is arguably the best ski resort for non-skiers in Eastern Europe.
Things to do in Zakopane:
Zakopane is near a huge variety of healing thermal pools and hot springs, which many visitors come to Poland specifically for. Check out our guide on the best thermal baths in and around Zakopane.
Not to mention, Snomads’ traditional cozy chalets offer cozy accommodation, where our team can arrange a range of excursions including the famous traditional kulig horse sleigh evenings. You’ll be mesmerised by the magical scenery of the glorious Tatra Mountains, topped with a tantalizing BBQ, live highland band, and unlimited mountain tea and hot wine.
This is just scraping the surface. Here’s a full list of 25+ things you can do in Zakopane. You could spend weeks thee and still keep busy!
Alta is the go-to destination for witnessing the natural marvel of Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. But there’s much more to this town and the eponymous Fjord in which it’s situated.
Things to do in Alta:
Besides the usual routine of sleigh rides and dog sleds, Alta brims with natural and cultural delights.
On one hand, you can go on a boat ride to some of the world’s best salmon rivers or in the local fjords where it’s not uncommon to see massive whales swimming beautifully in peace.
On the other hand, museums, churches, and farms offer insights into local traditions and culture. The famous domes offer outdoor evening lodging, where you can enjoy the Northern Lights sans the city noise.
As one of the northernmost towns in the world, Alta isn’t short of winter activities and delicious food to satisfy the adventurous spirit of non-skiers.
While the Spanish Pyrenees cover a large range of destinations, it offers some of the best ski resorts for non-skiers, depending on your preferred activities.
Things to do in the Pyrenees:
And this is just scraping the surface. The Spanish Pyrenees are truly a winter wonderland worth exploring due to its picturesque grandeur and traditional accommodation options throughout. A few other towns and resorts to consider are Vielha, Banasque, Baqueira-Beret, La Seu d’Urgell, Aínsa and Puigcerdà.
Just beyond Poland’s southern border lies Slovakia, granting a fresh perspective to the glorious Tatras. And the best part – you can do it all while staying in Poland.
Things to do in Northern Slovakia:
Slovakia is among our favorite winter snow holidays for non-skiers. It’s enchanting yet isn’t overpopulated with tourists. While staying at our traditional eco-chalets in Zakopane, our team can arrange day trips to the Meanderoravice thermal spa and other unique locations and activities.
Talk about eye candy… The Berchtesgaden National Park is full of sights to behold, making it a snow holiday destination like no other.
Things to do in Ramsau:
While the list above is rather short, this is one of the best resorts for non-skiers if you’re into hiking and immersing yourself in nature. This national park is home to unforgettable peaks, gorges, forests, mountains, and waterfalls.
Bansko has become a popular skiing holiday destination with European tourists, Bulgaria’s winter capital has much more to offer than skiing.
Things to do in Bansko:
Bansko is one of the more affordable snow holidays for non-skiers on this list. It’s also a fantastic gateway into Eastern Europe and the region’s authentic and tradition-based culture.
Snomads offer a variety of award-winning eco-chalets where groups of skiers and non-skiers can experience locally sourced meals, an outdoor hot tub, table tennis, video games and endless other extras. Our staff can arrange trips and personalized experiences for large parties in and around Bansko, and make sure your stay is legendary.
Romania’s infamous home of Count Dracula is much more than a home to fantastical legends. It’s a true winter wonderland and one of the best ski resorts for non-skiers in Europe.
Things to do in Transylvania:
There are a number of fascinating castles to explore in Transylvania – from the world-famous Bran Castle to lesser-known ones like the fairy-like Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelo, entirely made from clay and sand.
Transylvania is also not far from the city of Cluj, which is a fairly overlooked destination by tourists. The entire region is a great place to start exploring Romanian culture, cuisine, and tradition.
Needless to say, the area offers all the classics – snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, but also some unique options such as snow rafting.
Reykjavik is notoriously a cozy and picturesque destination to visit during the cold season. Surprisingly though, you’d have to go up North to really see some heavier snow. The outlandishly astonishing landscapes, however, are sure to leave you speechless. Akureyri is the unofficial capital of the North, where you can set up base and explore the surrounding area.
Things to do in Northern Iceland:
The Icelandic people are notorious fishermen, and much of what you can see in the area revolves around the surrounding bodies of water. Whale-watching tours offer a thrilling adventure, and you can visit the Husavik Whale Museum to learn even more about the significance of these beautiful water beasts.
Additionally, the world-famous natural thermal pools give you an authentic bathing experience that seems very attuned to nature. Some studies even prove the positive effects of these pools on the skin and even asthma.
Since the natural mineral springs of St. Moritz have been attracting visitors for hundreds of years, if not thousands, the locals know how to handle tourists of any kind. This means non-skiers have plenty to do and enjoy in this Swiss paradise.
Things to do in St. Moritz:
St. Moritz is widely considered an elite hotspot of luxury and prestige. Shopping, fine dining, and fancy hotels galore. Arriving there, you might also have the pleasure of boarding the Glacier Express – an infamously scenic train connecting St. Mortiz and Zermatt.
However, the surrounding nature is quite beautiful and very much worth exploring. On top of this, the region boasts 300 days of sunshine every year.
There’s a common misconception that the resort is only meant for those that are well off. But are plenty of things to do, many of them for free and you don’t necessarily have the break the bank to visit the gorgeous St. Moritz!
Snowy resorts have been almost exclusively linked to winter sports. Thus, many people who don’t fall under the “adrenaline junkie” category may feel like most holiday destinations won’t cater to their preferences.
We’re happy to say that’s simply not true. Many ski resorts welcome both skiers and non-skiers and offer fun, educational, and enriching experiences that make the trip more than worth it. So next time your friends invite you to ski, consider destinations on this list and go have fun!
If you’re looking for cozy, eco-friendly accommodation and a team ready to help create an unforgettable itinerary for you, check out our chalets in Bulgaria and Poland.
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Hi, welcome to the end of the article. Here’s a little secret!
Macedonia! It’s a small and very affordable country, which means you can explore a lot of what it has to offer in a very short amount of time. And there’s plenty to see.
From old churches, thermal bath resorts, and majestic waterfalls to Krusevo, the highest elevated city in the Balkans. All this without breaking the bank.
The Shar mountain plateau is absolutely stunning in the winter season, making for a great skiing destination. So if part of your group wants to go skiing, you can go on a wild freeride skiing experience off-piste (cat skiing!)
Here’s a guide to the best cheap accommodation and professional cat-ski team.
Also situated among the fairytale streets of Zakopane we have the shameless, fun and trashy nights, we have Morskie Oko (on Krupowki street) and Genesis (Plac Niepodleglosci), they have
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