6 Best Ski Resorts for Non-Skiers in North America

Every year, droves of eager skiers flock to Aspen, Colorado, for its famous terrain and nightlife. Fortunately for our less alpine-inclined audience, Aspen Snowmass has an endless selection of attractions both on and off the mountain.

Visitors to Aspen Snowmass can enjoy the abundance of après-ski that’s unlike any other resort, with options ranging from lively pubs and bars to raging nightclubs. Aspen is notorious for its vibrant nightlife on and off resort, most of which are easily accessible by the free shuttle between the resorts and downtown.

Catering to outdoor enthusiasts, Aspen Snowmass offers a massive 60 miles of cross-country and snowshoe trails. The trails offer varying skill levels between Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt, providing scenic views of the Rocky Mountains or just some fresh air. The Rio Grande Trail will take you from Aspen to Basalt while Nordic tracks along the Maroon Bells Road (closed to vehicles in winter) will lead you to iconic views of Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells. For those who are more adventurous, you can take a snowmobile tour to the infamous Maroon Bells.

Yoga classes make for a great pre-ski exercise and are a good excuse to join your friends before a long day of exploring. Re-energize and relax by taking a Bikram yoga or Vinyasa flow class at one of the many studios throughout Aspen or even on top of a mountain. 

For a truly unique experience, float across the Elk Mountain range in a hot air balloon and watch the sunrise over the Snowmass Mountains. Above It All Ballooning can fly you up to an altitude of 2,500 feet, weaving through the mountain range and offering breathtaking views of the snow-blanketed landscape. Finish off this experience with a champagne breakfast upon landing!

Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America with the ultimate ski village. There’s a wide selection of après-ski venues, multiple world-class restaurants, and many winter activities to entertain non-skiers at Whistler.

Ice fishing is a quintessential Canadian experience that isn’t to be missed if you’re in British Columbia. Pemberton Fish Finder offers ice fishing tours and you can catch anything from Bull Trout to Pike Minnows in winter. The guides will provide all the fishing gear as well as transport from Whistler, just be sure to wear extra warm clothing!

For a heart-racing experience, adrenalin junkies can take on the highest bungee jump in British Columbia, which is only 15 minutes drive from Whistler Village. The Whistler Bungee Jump is a 160 feet drop over the Cheakamus River and is surrounded by forest and basalt column cliffs. It’s one of the most picturesque bungee jumps in the world and is open during winter.

The centrally located Olympic Plaza at Whistler Blackcomb offers a wide range of activities that require little to no previous experience and are bound to keep you entertained for days. Visit the plaza for ice skating, snowshoeing tours, tubing, tree adventures, and dogsled tours, or consider a snowmobile tour for a more hands-on sightseeing experience.

Vail Ski Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in the US serving up some of the best slopes and also has many fun things to do other than skiing. Vail accommodates non-skiers with plenty of world-class dining, shopping, nightlife, and winter activities. While it is more expensive at Vail than some other ski resorts, the exceptional service, and activities are well worth it.

Shoppers have endless choices with hundreds of stores in Lionshead and Vail Village from high-end boutiques to specialty stores. There are popular stores such as Patagonia and Oakley, while at Gorsuch, Vail’s own version of a department store, you’ll find everything from household goods to gourmet snacks. Best of all, Vail’s pedestrian-friendly villages have heated walkways to keep you warm.

With a range of high-end hotels at Vail, there’s bound to be a spa for you to escape to. Places to look out for include Spa at The Arrabelle and The RockResorts Spa at the Lodge at Vail, which has a fireside tub for two in its couple’s room

Located at the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola, the Nature Discovery Center is where you will find fun exhibits of Vail and free guided snowshoe tours to learn about the winter ecology and animal adaptations while seeing alpine views in Vail. The snowshoe tour is also offered in the afternoon.

Home to the highest distillery in the world and a notoriously bustling nightlife scene, Breckenridge knows how to entertain non-skiers. Compared to other fancy Colorado resorts, Breck has an easygoing atmosphere and offers a wide range of attractions on and off the slopes, day and night! If you’re a non-skier looking to tag along with your family of skiers, Breckenridge has it all.

With the seal of approval from party-goers, Breck has some of the best nightlife from pub crawls to karaoke nights, there’s a bar and club to suit everyone. Head over to Breckenridge Brewery to taste a Breckenridge blend of whiskey with snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains or get behind the scenes at their distillery during the day and sample a range of their award-winning spirits.

For a fast-paced adventure, snowmobiling and dog sledding are available from Good Time Adventures in Breckenridge. Take in the breathtaking views of the beautiful Rocky Mountains from the back of a snowmobile or glide through the forest behind a group of well-trained sled dogs. You can even play with the dogs after!

If you’re in Breckenridge towards the end of January, then don’t miss the Annual Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships. Watch as snow sculpture artists spend five days transforming 25-ton blocks of snow into masterpieces!

Operating year-round, Jay Peak is a popular resort for skiers, snowboarders, and other ambitious tourists looking to experience the gorgeous Green Mountains. The resort is located roughly 80 miles from Burlington International Airport, making it easily accessible. Packed with exciting attractions like an indoor ice rink, water park, and so much more, Jay Peak is the perfect destination for families, friends, or even solo trips.

Pump House might be Jay Peak’s most popular attraction. The park offers visitors a chance to relax or splash it all out. Spend the day exploring the park’s various slides, surf the Double Barrel Flowrider, float along the Big River, or just chill in one of the indoor and outdoor hot tubs. The park is perfect for visitors of all ages and opens late on weekends.

For those looking for a more laid-back atmosphere, Jay Peak offers an assortment of activities focused on relaxation and well-being. The Taiga Spa is rated highly rated amongst skiers and non-skiers for its good service and atmosphere. Non-skiers can enjoy private treatment during the day or stop by with their ski entourage at night for pain relief after a day on the slopes. The resort also recently opened the Clips and Reel Recreational Center, which features an indoor climbing gym as well as a 142-seat cinema draught house.

Explore over 20 km of beautiful Nordic and Snowshoe trails through the West Bowl Nordic Trail System. Fat biking is great for all ages and riders of any skill level, as the fat tires and low pressure will ensure you stay afloat through the trails. Hourly, half-day, and full-day bike rentals and trail passes are available from the Nordic Center, making it easy to work an adventure into your schedule.

Besides its world-class skiing, Park City serves up an endless array of attractions as well as a rich history just waiting to be explored. Best of all, it’s located just east of Salt Lake City; Utah’s high-elevation capital, host to the 2002 Winter Olympics, and home to endless entertainment including dinosaur museums, art galleries, and shopping malls.

Park City’s rich heritage sculpted the infamous ski haven into the city it is today. Walk through the historic buildings on Main Street in the Old Town District, where you’ll find popular art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. The Park City Museum on Main Street gives an interactive insight into the city’s history including the old mining days, the transcontinental railroad, and so much more. You can get to know the town a bit more by going on a ghost tour through Main Street and other parts of Park City.

The Olympic Park in Salt Lake City is only a 15-minute drive from Park City. Daredevils can ride down the Winter Comet Bobsled track which was used for the 2002 Olympic bobsled, skeleton, and luge events! There is also a range of fun adventure courses, extreme zip-line, and much more to explore.

If you can’t make it over to Olympic Park, then hop onboard the resort’s Alpine Coaster. Shoot through the trees and down the mountain on this toboggan-style ride and enjoy the stunning views of the resort without having to put on a pair of skis.