What’s a couple to do if one skis and the other half does not? Many resorts have made activities for non-skiers as big a priority as providing great powder to serve you both. To help you carve through a few of the options, the editors and members of online travel advisor VirtualTourist.com (www.virtualtourist.com) have put together a Top 6 Destinations for Skiers & Non-Skiers.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
In the perfect “out west” setting, Jackson Hole is an ideal spot for the experienced skier and a novice who is only considering lessons. In addition to class and private ski and snowboard lessons, the resort also has a wide variety of camp options to take skiers and snowboarders of all ages to the next level. If skiing or boarding isn’t on the agenda, you can still explore the terrain without much exertion - there are great snowmobile tours, as well as Iditarod Sled Dog tours for a more historical experience. No trip to Jackson Hole is complete without visiting either Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Park; both parks offer ranger-guided snowshoe hikes from December through mid-March. Another highly recommended experience is the National Elk Refuge, where visitors can take a sleigh ride through the refuge and into the herd of wild Jackson elk.
Verbier, Switzerland
It’s difficult to pick one spot in Switzerland, but historic Verbier has both quality skiing and a full schedule of activities for those who aren’t interested in moguls or powder. For the skiers, Verbier’s off-piste (backcountry and/or non-groomed) terrain is some of the most challenging in the world. For those sans skis, there are 20km of marked and prepared winter hiking trails and well-maintained tobogganing slopes. Verbier is truly the spot to experience the “après ski” lifestyle, especially this season with the recent opening of The Lodge Verbier, Richard Branson’s private ski resort. Many of the piste restaurants are easily accessible to non-skiers, so you can enjoy food on the patio with the exquisite Alps view. In addition to the usual winter sports and spa treatments, Verbier offers two particular specialties: cheese and puppies. Verbier is actually located near the famous St Bernard pass, the St Bernard hospice, and of course, the origin of the St Bernard dog. In both winter and summer, visitors can walk with the dogs or visit the museum dedicated to the breed in nearby Martigny. Verbier is also in the middle of prime cheese country, so visitors must make sure to sample the cheeses and Switzerland’s famous cheese fondue.
Kitzbuehel, Austria
Conveniently located about 2 hours from Munich, Kitzbuehel is an excellent destination for those who are looking for an active stop while exploring Austria. Besides downhill skiing, Kitzbuehel also offers over 120km of cross country ski trails and 170km of winter hiking trails. Between November 30 and December 26, visitors can enjoy the Kitzbueheler Christmas Market, complete with gingerbread, handicrafts, and even a petting zoo for children. In late January, the area hosts Hahnenkamm Race week, one of Austria’s premier downhill slalom events where travellers can watch competitors fly by at an average of 103kmph. Kitzbuehel is also quite close to Innsbruck (95km) and Salzburg (80km), meaning visitors can easily explore these other Austrian towns. Innsbruck is a charming alpine town with a city center that is over 800 years old, while Salzburg is the birthplace of two musical legacies: Mozart and The Sound of Music. Both of these cities also host notable Christmas markets during the Advent season. For those who love dance music, nearby Saalbach will host the 4-day “Rave on Snow,” an electronic music festival, in mid-December.
Queenstown, New Zealand
These are the top destinations for skiers and non-skiers, but we didn’t say right now must be the time to ski them! While you’ll have to wait about 6 or 7 months to hit the slopes, multiple VirtualTourist members report that Queenstown, New Zealand is a great spot for skiing, as well as a variety of other adrenaline sports. Once a tiny gold-mining settlement, this town has evolved to become a world-class sport host. As long as visitors aren’t afraid of heights, you’ll have plenty of activities to keep you busy outside skiing and snow sports. After taking the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak, you can luge down concrete tracks, hike the mountain-top trails, or jump from the Ledge Urban Bungy, which has a ‘runway’ so you can gain a bit of speed as well as a unique harness that allows jumpers to do flips, twists, and other such stunts. Queenstown is also home to another famous bungy jump, the Nevis Highwire Bungy. The Nevis drops 134m straight into a riverbed, so it’s not for the faint of heart. In addition to getting your heart pumping, Queenstown is home to Lake Wakatipu, where visitors can go boating or simply enjoy a picnic.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Many of us have seen photographs of an island with a church in the middle of a pristine Alpine lake, but few of us are very familiar with Slovenia. While initial assumptions might suggest Austria or Germany, this image is in fact Bled in the Gorenjska region of Northern Slovenia. Bordering Austria and Italy, Northern Slovenia and the Julian Alps are a growing skiing destination, but also a great destination for those who simply appreciate unspoiled nature. Triglav National Park, home to Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain, is also Slovenia’s only national park and one of the oldest protected parks in Europe. Hiking is a popular way to explore the park and see Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest glacial lake. To the north of Mount Triglav, Kranjska Gora provides opportunities for skiing, hiking, and night tobogganing. In addition to the physical activities, Kranjska Gora also has hot springs for when visitors want to relax. VirtualTourist members also recommend an excursion to see the country’s capital, Ljubljana, with a walk around the Old Town and a visit to the Ljubljana Castle. Since the country has historically been controlled by Italy, the Austrian empire, and was also part of Yugoslavia, the culture and cuisine are an interesting mix of Central Europe, Balkan, and Mediterranean traditions.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Few destinations can say they are both a Unesco World Heritage Site and a former Olympic host city, but high in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, earns this rare distinction. While serious skiers will be thrilled to stay on the Dolomiti Superski, the circuit of resorts in the Dolomites, there are plenty of activities for non-skiers. In the summer, Cortina has become quite the mountain biking mecca, and they continue this in the winter with the K-Track, a special kit that can transform any mountain bike into a snowbike. Cortina has multiple schools that teach novices how to “snowkite,”or use the K-track, during their visit. In tradition with most Italian destinations, there is also tons of culture to experience in Cortina. In December, visitors can experience the city’s traditional European Christmas Market, fully equipped with roasted chestnuts and old-fashioned sweets. In January, the city hosts the Nordic Skiing World Cup and the Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup, as well as Ice Art, the International Festival of Snow Sculpture, where artists transform huge blocks of ice into sculptures along Corso Italia.Reuters
