Winter’s arrival often elicits a sense of joy for those who love skiing and snowboarding, while bringing a sense of dread to those who don’t – or won’t – ski. When your family is torn on ways to enjoy a winter weekend or vacation, you can find peace in mountain resorts offering more than ski slopes. Here are 5 non-ski activities that anyone can enjoy:
Dog Sledding
Let a team of huskies do all the work as you explore the mountains. Pop a squat on a sled, swaddled in blankets for extra warmth, and let your guide take you across the snow and up mountainsides for spectacular snow-covered views. Kids will especially love petting the huskies, and learning how to care for them.
Snowmobiling
Get on the snow with the power of an engine to see the same views as those on skis, just at a much faster pace. Guided tours and private rentals are available at many mountain resorts, with durations between an hour to a half day. Teens will love driving their own snowmobiles, and younger ones can catch a ride with parents.
Tubing
Tubing hills are becoming the rage across mountain ranges. With magic carpets, lights for nighttime fun, and single and double tubes, families can play together on tubing runs of various lengths. You’ll even feel like a kid again when you plunge face first down the side of a well-groomed slope.
Ice Skating
You can get active in the cold on solid ground, or at least, solid ice. Many ski resorts and hotels themselves provide ski rinks in the winter, which are great for spending time with your youngest children – just be sure to sample the hot chocolate, too!
Spa Day
You don’t have to be outdoors to enjoy a mountain resort. Soak in the warmth of an indoor, heated pool and hot tub, steam rooms, saunas and rainfall showers. Mommy and me massages can be found in some spas, as well as a large selection of massages, facials and treatments to pamper mom while the kids are out in the cold with their kids’ program or ski school.