If you like to ski but your other half really doesn't, there is no need to miss out on a ski holiday. We have compiled a list of resorts ideal for skiers and non-skiers that will give you both plenty to do during the day.
From snowshoeing to spa days, these resorts offer so much to do that non-skiers won't feel they are missing out on all the fun, and will have plenty of stories to tell over dinner as well.
Bormio, Italy
Skiers can enjoy 3 separate resorts on one ski pass, while non-skiers can enjoy 3 separate thermal spas, a win-win situation!
For skiers:
Bormio, Santa Caterina and Oga/Cima Piazzi are 3 separate unlinked resorts on the same ski pass. There is a free bus service between them and all three are worth a visit. Bormio and Santa Caterina both offer World Cup runs and some fairly challenging skiing, while the often overlooked little resort of Oga is blissfully quiet and well-pisted (though with a rather ancient lift system) with some fantastic long runs both through the trees and above the tree line.
For non-skiers:
Bormio was a famous spa town even before the advent of ski lifts, and the thermal baths on offer here date back to Roman times. The two luxury spas the Bagni Vecchi (old baths) and the Bagni Nuovi (new baths) are located just outside the town centre, just a 5 minute taxi ride away, and you can stay as long as you like. Bormio Terme is located in the centre and has a 25m pool for those who like to swim, as well as a spa and wellness area with outdoor pools.
The old town centre offers an insight into the rich history of the town, and there are regular guided tours so you can learn more, as well as a well-run local museum to learn about what life was like here up to and including the great war.
Day out: Another attraction is the famous Bernina Express train that runs between nearby Tirano and St. Moritz. A UNESCO heritage site it offer fabulous views over the Alps and there are regular day trips from Bormio.
Choose from our selection of ski breaks in Bormio:
Self-catering ski break in Bormio
Budget half board ski break in Bormio
Bagni Vecchi spa, Bormio
Madonna di Campiglio, Italy
While Madonna is very much a ski resort rather than a town in its own right, it offers plenty to both skiers and non-skiers alike.
For skiers:
With 4 linked ski areas (Madonna di Campiglio, Folgarida/Marilleva and Pinzolo) offering over 150km of marked runs you will never get bored of exploring this ski area. Less confident skiers will love the wide open gentle slopes of Groste, while there are plenty of challenging black runs to keep more experienced skiers happy.
For non-skiers:
The resort has plenty to offer non-skiers. Ask about the DoloMeet Card which gives you all sorts of discounted and free activities to choose from, including 2 guided snowshoe excursions per week.
Other activities include open air ice-skating, husky dog sledging and even paragliding. If you fancy trying your hand at cross-country skiing head to Campo Carlo Magno.
Day out: If you fancy a day trip, the charming city of Trento is just over an hour away by car, or 2 hours by bus.
Ski break in Madonna di Campiglio
Bad Gastein, Austria
For skiers:
A great resort for confident intermediates, Bad Gastein offers 200km of slopes along the Gastein Valley, with the main ski area linking the towns of Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein. The resort is also popular with snowboarders thanks to the large snowpark and its position as a regular fixture on the snowboard world cup circuit.
For non-skiers:
This regal spa resort has an other worldly feel to it, thanks to its glamorous Belle Epoque buildings and 200m waterfall through the centre of the town, all surrounded by steep, forested slopes.
The thermal waters still draw people to the resort, and many like to visit the Felsentherme spa or the famous healing gallery, where the high concentration of radon is said to have beneficial properties.
Tobogganing and snowshoeing are also popular activities here.
Day out: Salzburg is just over an hour away by train direct from Bad Gastein.
Bad Gastein
Oberstaufen, Germany
For skiers:
This resort is little known outside of Germany, despite it being a varied ski area with a short airport transfer. There are around 45km of slopes in total split into 4 areas, there is one for beginners, a larger intermediate area and the Hochgrat area is great for more experienced skiers.
For non-skiers:
The great thing about Oberstaufen is the O-Card, which non skiers can use for a number of attractions, including free entry to the Aquaria swimming pool complex, the outdoor ice rink and 2 museums. You can also use it to take the cable car up the mountain should you want to join people for lunch on the slopes.
Day out: Neuschwanstein castle is around 1 hour away by car. Alternatively the charming town of Lindau on the shores of Lake Constance is 40 mins away by train.
Hafjell, Norway
For skiers:
This varied resort was especially built for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics and offers everything from wide gentle slopes to challenging Olympic-standard black runs. It is the third largest in Norway with 50km of snow sure slopes.
For non-skiers:
As with all Norwegian resorts, there are lots of alternative winter activities on offer here. Cross-country skiing is incredibly popular here, and there are 600km of trails around Hafjell. Snow shoeing and fat biking are also possible.
Day out: Just 15km south is the town of Lillehammer, where you can try out the Olympic bob and luge track, visit the Olympic museum and much more. The town is renowned for its art scene with a number of small galleries belonging to local artists.
Ski slope Hafjell
We hope this has given you some inspiration for your next ski holiday with a non-skier! If you have any suggestions of resorts we haven't mentioned then let us know in the comments. For information on any of the resorts we did mention please contact us directly.
