If you’ve ever enjoyed a skiing holiday, you’ll know that it can make for an exciting and exhilarating experience that you’ll remember for years to come. If you don’t enjoy spending time on the slopes, however, what is there for you to do? Fortunately, you may be surprised to discover that most ski resorts offer far more than just skiiing for guests to see and do while on-site.
Besides skiing, there’s plenty else for you to get up to while on a skiing trip – read on to discover just a few potential activities to consider while you’re taking a break from the slopes. Perhaps a last minute winter ski holiday could be on the cards?
Popular choices include Vanoise National Park, in the French Alps – famous for its snow-topped peaks, and valleys shaped by glaciers; and accessible via a simple Geneva to La Plagne transfer. Alternatively, consider staying in Geneva or Zermatt. for a Swiss ski break or, if you fancy heading out of Europe, Colorado’s Aspen Snow Mass, in North America, offers a choice of four different ski areas.
Spend time in the spa
Skiing is a very physical activity, so at most ski resorts, you’ll probably have a range of spas to choose from when it’s time to unwind. If you’re not much of a skier, this can make for a great way to spend your time away from the slopes.
You can learn more about ski holidays here and find a resort that has all the facilities you and your family need. Ski Line has connections all across the skiing world, and uses them to obtain highly competitive prices, enabling travellers to enjoy luxury ski holidays at affordable rates.
Cross-country skiing
Ski slopes can be intimidating and, at times, chaotic. If you want to enjoy skiing at your own pace, take a cross-country skiing trip. You can enjoy a more relaxed skiing experience, while getting to see some amazing sights too.
Cross-country skiing is also a great way to learn the basics of the sport, without having the pressure of onlookers or other skiers zooming past you. Organised tours are available at most resorts. You can take in some of the unique vistas surrounding your chosen ski town, and make some new friends along the way.
Dog-sledding
Do you want to enjoy the winter wonderland that surrounds you, without having to exert yourself? Dog-sledding could be the perfect activity for you; you can enjoy all the beauty of the countryside, without having to ski.
Dog-sledding will likely become an exciting and memorable experience for you to treasure forever. Not only will you get to take in amazing, off-the-beaten-path views that many tourists never get to see, but you also get to meet the dogs too.
Alpine coasters
Alpine coasters (which resemble carts on rails) are good fun, especially with kids on-board. You can enjoy the same exhilaration and sense of speed you experience on a roller coaster in a theme park, only at slower speeds. There is a brake for you to use too, so you can slow yourself down if you need to.
It’s probably a good idea to ensure young children are accompanied by an adult, rather than letting them ride alone, so you can help to control the speed and make sure they don’t injure themselves. Teenagers will be fine on their own, however.
Ski-biking
This new sport is growing in popularity on ski slopes all across the world. You ride on a tricycle which has skis, in place of wheels. This is actually a lot easier than skiing, as you get to stay seated while you slide down the slopes.
If you’re not much of a skier, then you should definitely try this out; the bike takes all the hard work away, leaving you to enjoy yourself.
Adventure parks
Just like ski-bikes, adventure parks are popping up at ski resorts all over the world. They make for a fun day out for all the family with zip lines, rope bridges, and other challenging obstacles for you to negotiate.
These adventure parks make a great change of scenery, too. They’re usually located in an alpine forest, where snow is thinner on the ground. If you need a day away from the snow and slopes, this could well be the activity you’re looking for.
Bobsledding
This Olympic sport is only for the brave. The bobsleds travel at astonishing speeds down their track, serving their riders a cocktail of excitement and fear. Don’t be put off though; once you take a trip down the track in a bobsled, you’ll no doubt be back for more; it’s an amazing experience!
You’ll find bobsled tracks at most resorts, or at least within a short distance from your resort. They’re often found at skiing complexes which have a number of activities you can try out, so why not make a day of it?
Snowcat tours
A snowcat is a tracked vehicle – a bit like a tank, without any wheels. This means they can access areas that normal cars and bikes cannot, which is particularly useful for tackling difficult terrain, like snowy peaks.
Snowcat tours give you an opportunity to see more of the area surrounding your resort, and experience parts of the mountains and snowy vistas that other skiers never get to see. The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable about the area and its history, so you’ll discover a lot on your snowcat tour too.
Snow tubing
This is one of the simplest activities on the slopes and it requires no special skills or physical fitness; gravity does all the hard work.
You ride an inflatable ring down the slope at an exhilarating pace. It’s lots of fun to do, especially with children, and once you reach the bottom, simply hop onto a ski lift and do it all over again. If you come off the tube, don’t worry – the snow on the slopes will cushion your fall.
Snowshoeing
All you need to be able to do to enjoy this activity, is the ability to walk. You can explore the surrounding areas and enjoy the nature of the alpine environment, without having to worry about the speed of the slopes or look out for other ski-iers bearing down on you.
This is a fantastic family activity – think of it like hiking, but through the snow rather than through a forest. You can set your own pace and choose your own route, but snowshoeing with a tour guide is a better choice; they know where all the best spots are, and there’s no chance of getting lost on the peaks.
Ice climbing
This one is for thrill seekers. If skiing is not enough of an adrenaline rush for some people, ice climbing will certainly help them to push their limit.
If you’ve tried rock climbing before, you’ll be at an advantage. Ice climbing is very similar, only you’ll climbing a sheet of ice, instead of a rock face. It takes skill, patience, and support from an instructor, but it’s an amazing experience. Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted by some outstanding views.
While you might book a skiing holiday with skiing in mind, you’ll probably be surprised to discover the full range of activities and experience available at your chosen ski resort. So, if you tire of being on the ski slopes or if you’re travelling with someone who doesn’t enjoy skiing as much as you, it’s no big deal.
What’s your favourite ski trip activity, besides skiing? Let me know in the comment box below.