How to make ski vacations more fun for a non-skiier?

[SuziEZ]

Ladies whose partner does NOT ski, any tips for making ski vacations more enticing for them?

I've been going alone but he is a bit bummed to be left behind all the time. My husband grew up in Virginia, and is very risk averse and is not interested in learning to ski for fear of getting hurt. I am working on convincing him to try cross country or snowshoeing with me this year. However, I love the sport and want our future kids to grow up learning. How can I make a ski vacation for fun for him? He is not a big drinker.

I live in Ketchum (Sun Valley Resort) and there are a ton of activities for those who don't alpine ski. Nordic, snowshoeing, hiking (with little snow, like this year), museums, pools (YMCA), hot springs, shopping. Sun Valley is pretty walkable, has free buses, but not necessarily to the more distant spots (SNRA, or Galena here need a car).

 

[Christy]

Another nice thing about Ketchum/Sun Valley is that since town is so close to the mountain, and as mentioned the buses are free, it would be very easy for the non-skier to get to the mountain and meet the skier for lunch or apres. If you stay at Sun Valley Lodge, which is perfect in every way IMO, there's free yoga, the world's best hot pool, and ice skating.

 

[Michellezil]

Formal figure skater here too! Just a heads up, I don’t think there is real ice skating on Lake Louise this year because they have gotten so much snow, that it’s been hard to keep it cleared. There were some kids who cleared small patches for informal small skating areas though Still definitely worth checking out! It’s breathtaking and you can walk out really really far on the lake. I saw families x-country skiing on the lake. The Fairmont Chateau set up a really cool ice sculpture area in front of the hotel with a fire pit in the middle and they were selling beverages.

Our favorite place to eat in Banff is Three Bears. In LL the Trailside Cafe is a great stop for breakfast burritos or sandwiches and coffee. We usually eat there before skiing at LL. If you’re skiing alone, check out the free mountain tours. They split up by ability/terrain. Have a great time!

Thank you for the info on the lake! Good to have realistic expectations so I’m not disappointed! It sounds like some of the towns have some manmade rinks that they clear hopefully so I will still at least get to skate outside. The free mountain tours sound perfect! I’m always a bit nervous skiing alone. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Michellezil]

Another nice thing about Ketchum/Sun Valley is that since town is so close to the mountain, and as mentioned the buses are free, it would be very easy for the non-skier to get to the mountain and meet the skier for lunch or apres. If you stay at Sun Valley Lodge, which is perfect in every way IMO, there's free yoga, the world's best hot pool, and ice skating.

Might just have to make this our next trip!

 

[marzNC]

The bonus for Ketchum and Sun Valley is that it's sunny more often than not. It's a walkable town even during the winter with good bus routes and walking trails.

 

[ExpertOnBlueRuns]

Thank you for the info on the lake! Good to have realistic expectations so I’m not disappointed! It sounds like some of the towns have some manmade rinks that they clear hopefully so I will still at least get to skate outside. The free mountain tours sound perfect! I’m always a bit nervous skiing alone. Thanks for the tips!

Yes the mountain tours are really fantastic. Even tho though we’d skied at LL a few times before, they took us to a few runs that were new to us. We did the double blue group (we’re not super fast skiers and didn’t want to slow down the advanced group.) Runs for about 2 hours starting 10am and 1ish. Haven’t done the one at Sunshine but I assume it’s similar.

 

[Jenny]

I really liked the LL mountain tour, too. My husband and I were the only two in the group, because by the time we got there and ready the official time was over. But the volunteer leading the tour walked past as we were chatting about how it was too bad we missed it and said he’d take us. Super nice of him, and wouldn't take a tip or anything as thanks, either. We’d have probably never found our way around without him.

 

[Briski]

This popped up on my news feed this morning.

11 Best U.S. Ski Towns to Visit Even If You Don’t Ski — Travel + Leisure

You don’t have to be a skier or snowboarder to enjoy these mountain towns.

apple.news

 

[marzNC]

This popped up on my news feed this morning.

11 Best U.S. Ski Towns to Visit Even If You Don’t Ski — Travel + Leisure

You don’t have to be a skier or snowboarder to enjoy these mountain towns.

apple.news

Pretty good list for February 2026. My only quibble is that Big Sky doesn't have a true "ski town" in the same sense as Lake Placid (Whiteface), Aspen, Ketchum (Sun Valley), or Jackson. There was nothing like a town in that area of Montana before the ski slopes were created back in the 1970s. Even in 2012 there wasn't a full-size supermarket. That said, there are fun activities now for people who like the outdoors but aren't interested in skiing/boarding.

Was a surprise to see Boone, NC listed first. Certainly the center of NC skiing since it's close to Appalachian, Sugar Mountain, and Beech Mountain. All three have been in business based on 100% snowmaking coverage for over 50 years. Sugar and Beech have base elevations over 5000 ft.