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Spouse doesn't ski, where to go?

H

HMSCster

Certified Ski Diva
Hi! I Love skiing. I love the snow. I love the mountains. But, my husband doesn't. So, any recommendations on the east coast to take the family for a vacation where my husband won't feel stuck in the room all day and my kids can get since good lessons?

He is supportive of my ski habit, but I can't think of places to take him where he will be happy too. It's been so long since I've been anywhere, that I don't know which resorts have nice lodge setups for watching or things to do as a family that are not skiing.

Thanks for any ideas or other tips
 
Divegirl

Divegirl

Angel Diva
Hello @HMSCster - I do not have kids but I do have a non-skiing spouse. He has joined me on some ski trips over the years. Some of the places we have been together are North Conway (Attitash and Cranmore), Stowe, Sunday River, Bretton Woods and Okemo and Snowshoe in WV. I look for ski in/ski out or shuttle options so I can leave him w/ the car to explore and I don't have to call for a ride. He is pretty good at entertaining himself - searching out a good breakfast place, a restaurant for lunch/dinner, just wandering/driving/exploring the area. He does bring his laptop as ski season coincides w/ his fantasy baseball season planning. He is also happy reading and watching TV. I married a hermit.
Your kids may like this - We went to Bretton Woods last year and discovered the Cog Railway runs in the winter to the mid-station. It was awesome especially as we got see skiers and boarders going down the maintenance roads. We had a boarder and skier on our train who we got watch ride back down.
 
snoWYmonkey

snoWYmonkey

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
What types of things does your husband enjoy doing? Some ski town have museums or are located next to national parks. Wildlife viewing or hot springs are other activities as are sleigh rides, snowmobiling, casinos, etc...

You mentioned family activities. Are there kids or are you thinking more couples activities like bars and fine dining and dancing or spa visits or shopping?

I ask these questions because there are resorts that provide most of those options and some are even in or right by cities.

Budget may also be a consideration. If not i would start with an online search. Ski magazine and some online travel sites tend to have lists that can be a starting point for your research.
 
marzNC

marzNC

Angel Diva
HMSCster said:
Hi! I Love skiing. I love the snow. I love the mountains. But, my husband doesn't. So, any recommendations on the east coast to take the family for a vacation where my husband won't feel stuck in the room all day and my kids can get since good lessons?

He is supportive of my ski habit, but I can't think of places to take him where he will be happy too. It's been so long since I've been anywhere, that I don't know which resorts have nice lodge setups for watching or things to do as a family that are not skiing.

Thanks for any ideas or other tips
Click to expand...
Would help to know a little more. Are you thinking about this season or farther in the future? Those of us who plan family trips around a school schedule often have lodging arranged in the summer or early fall.

Where are you starting from? How long a vacation? Driving or flying? I live in North Carolina. When my daughter was in elementary school and just learning, I drove to Massanutten (4 hours one-way) during the holiday weekends since she had 4-day weekends. I know of families who make the drive from Florida to Sugar in NC, Snowshoe in WV, or even Massanutten in VA for an annual ski trip. Flying out west opens up a lot of options but of course is more expensive.

What do you know of the multi-resort passes? Ikon and Epic are the ones for "destination resorts" but are no longer available for 2022-23. The Indy Pass might provide ideas that aren't fancy resorts but can be much easier on the budget.

An independent ski resort that doesn't get mentioned often that is great for families is Jiminy Peak in western MA. Most of the families there drive up from NYC/NJ. One advantage is that there is night skiing.
 
H

HMSCster

Certified Ski Diva
These are great suggestions! My husband does not do the outdoor stuff in winter except tubbing. He is looking for things to do with kids when not skiing.

I think of the mountain had a nice relaxing
lodge he might enjoy reading or going online and watching the kids.

As things he might enjoy to do without us...I wish I knew! I assume he would be into going to breweries,hot springs, and things that are good related like baking/ cooking classes.

it's good to hear Massanutten and Snow shoe are good options since we they are roughly 3 - 5 hours from us. Is Seven Springs still with the trip?

Oh and our kids are 9 and 12. They are beginners and not hardcore and would bendy from good lessons.
 
marzNC

marzNC

Angel Diva
HMSCster said:
These are great suggestions! My husband does not do the outdoor stuff in winter except tubbing. He is looking for things to do with kids when not skiing.

I think of the mountain had a nice relaxing
lodge he might enjoy reading or going online and watching the kids.

As things he might enjoy to do without us...I wish I knew! I assume he would be into going to breweries,hot springs, and things that are good related like baking/ cooking classes.

it's good to hear Massanutten and Snow shoe are good options since we they are roughly 3 - 5 hours from us. Is Seven Springs still with the trip?

Oh and our kids are 9 and 12. They are beginners and not hardcore and would bendy from good lessons.
Click to expand...
If he's willing to do short drives to do stuff, there are far more options near Massanutten than Snowshoe. Massanutten is a large 4-season timeshare resort in the Shenandoah Valley, only 20 min from Harrisonburg. It's a lot bigger than you might imagine based on the size of the ski area. You can check the website for on-resort activities. It's about an hour drive to Charlottesville. Someone who is a history buff can find plenty to do in the area.

Whether or not spending time in a ski lodge is relaxing depends on timing. Not that relaxing during a holiday weekend. There are places to watch beginners at Massanutten. Not quite as easy at Snowshoe.

The drive to Massanutten is very different from the drive to Snowshoe. WV mountain roads are 2-lane and not cleared that well if there is snowy weather. Massanutten is off US33 (4-lane highway) and close to I-81. Unless there is a blizzard that shuts down roads in northern VA, rarely any issues driving there.

Since I live in North Carolina, I don't have any personal experience with Seven Springs. From what I've read on DCSki, probably not much reason to drive farther to ski there. Note that Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain were bought by Vail Resorts in 2022. Since Epic passes are no longer on sale, lift tickets for the family could add up fast.
 
NWSkiGirl

NWSkiGirl

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
HMSCster said:
Hi! I Love skiing. I love the snow. I love the mountains. But, my husband doesn't. So, any recommendations on the east coast to take the family for a vacation where my husband won't feel stuck in the room all day and my kids can get since good lessons?

He is supportive of my ski habit, but I can't think of places to take him where he will be happy too. It's been so long since I've been anywhere, that I don't know which resorts have nice lodge setups for watching or things to do as a family that are not skiing.

Thanks for any ideas or other tips
Click to expand...
I have a newborn and will be taking her to Whistler. We won't be skiing yet, but I love the village and the vibe!
 
jthree

jthree

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
HMSCster said:
Yes, please :smile:
Click to expand...
So, Smuggs has condos, no central hotel. There is a shuttle that will take you around the resort. There is not much to the nearby town but the resort has activities and a few different places to eat on-site.

There is a central (indoor) pool that everyone can use, and certain condo clusters have their own pool (most outdoor, one is indoor). There is also an indoor play place called the "Fun zone": https://www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/amenities/funZone.php. Access to the main part of the Fun zone is part of your Smuggs pass- there are things like a foosball table, an inflatable slide, and some other games. There are also things you can pay extra for, like a Ninja warrior obstacle course & climbing wall, laser tag.

There is a rotating schedule of activities, some included with your Smuggs pass, some additional: https://www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/activities/index.php. There are family-friendly evening activities every night like bingo, karaoke, a village carnival.

It's just under an hour drive to the city of Burlington, which has restaurants, shopping, a science museum called the Echo center, etc.
 
Kathy Bennett

Kathy Bennett

Certified Ski Diva
HMSCster said:
Hi! I Love skiing. I love the snow. I love the mountains. But, my husband doesn't. So, any recommendations on the east coast to take the family for a vacation where my husband won't feel stuck in the room all day and my kids can get since good lessons?

He is supportive of my ski habit, but I can't think of places to take him where he will be happy too. It's been so long since I've been anywhere, that I don't know which resorts have nice lodge setups for watching or things to do as a family that are not skiing.

Thanks for any ideas or other tips
Click to expand...
I'm
 
Kathy Bennett

Kathy Bennett

Certified Ski Diva
I am biased but I think North Conway is a great ski town for skiers and non-skiers alike. Lots to do off mountain. It's a real town, not a manufactured village, so he can go exploring, view frozen waterfalls, winter hiking, shopping, etc. etc.
 
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