Those who have never taken the plunge and tried skiing might have got it into their heads that your options are pretty limited once you’re above the snowline. If you think a luxury ski trip is limited to skiing and, well… après-ski, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Ski resorts often have a wealth of alternative activities on offer, which are enticing whether you’ve got a ton of experience on the slopes or are still firmly in snow-plough mode. Seeing as our range of luxury catered ski chalets is so big, there’s a huge choice of alternative things to do on a ski trip, from the daring to the downright lazy.
In this article, we share 10 suggestions for things to do at ski resorts and beyond that’ll make your skiing holiday one to remember. There’s even one or two that haven’t got a thing to do with snow!
Let’s get this one out of the way early. You’re on a skiing holiday after all, and even if skiing has never appealed to you before, it’s worth at least trying to see what the fuss is all about.
Rent yourself some equipment for the day and book a beginner’s lesson – you never know, you might find yourself with a brand new passion after only a morning! If you’re an old hand at skiing, you’ll likely spend most of your days out on the slopes brushing up on your skills and challenging yourself with new runs.
Resorts such as Val d’Isere and Chamonix have built themselves around a love of skiing and are well-equipped for skiers of all abilities. If you’re looking for a great place to take your first skiing trip with the family, this Idaho skiing destination is the perfect place to head to during the winter season.
Tempting as it is for a newbie to think of ski resorts as little more than a few log cabins and an awful lot of snow, the biggest and best resorts are often more like self-contained towns. As such, you’ll often find some great opportunities for shopping if something chic is more your style than salopettes, with everything from high-end designer boutiques to weekly markets to satisfy that craving for a wander around the shops.
Sticking with a more sedate theme, you can still strap something to your feet and enjoy some Alpine altitudes without going at a speed more suited to a small car – and it’s called snowshoeing. As one of the world’s fastest-growing winter sports, it’s the perfect time to get into it, and it’s remarkably cost-effective compared to other skiing activities on offer.
Snowshoeing is versatile too, and can be anything from a gentle ramble through the landscape to a gruelling, cross-country race. If you’re on holiday for a couple of weeks, it can be a really fun thing to do on a ski trip to add some variety to your itinerary, as well as giving you the chance to learn something new!
On the other side of the coin, if you’ve mastered every black run you’ve come across and laugh in the face of death cookies, it’s time you upped your game. Going off-piste can be one of the most challenging but exhilarating things to do while skiing, and if you’re confident on your skis then it’s a great way to explore a resort that you’re already familiar with.
Heli-skiing in Chamonix doesn’t need much of an introduction, chiefly because there’s a bit of a clue in the name. Hop in a helicopter and take a ride up to the top of the mountain with the promise of some immaculate powder and views the average visitor can only dream of.
Many resorts offer the opportunity to try your hand at riding a husky sledge, which is a really fun thing to do on a ski trip. For animal lovers, adventurous families and those who simply want to experience an ancient and exhilarating way to travel, it’s a great way to have a brand new experience on your skiing holiday.
If there’s one thing on this list of skiing activities that everyone has to try, it’s kicking back in a gorgeously warm hot tub in the open mountain air. Throw a cheeky glass of fizz in there and you’ve got the perfect antidote for those aching limbs after a day on the slopes!
Many of the chalets available in our collection come complete with a hot tub (some have saunas too, but don’t put money on finding one of them outdoors). And while we’re on the subject of pampering…
There’s no other way to put it really. Skiing can be pretty punishing on the body, but even tucked up under a hat and goggles your skin can take a bit of a beating – which is as good an excuse as any to get your spa on. And when many luxury ski resorts have an on-site spa complex available for guests to visit, there’s really no need for excuses at all.
As well as having some premier health and beauty treatment centres in the resorts themselves, it’s far easier (and let’s face it, more decadent) to have the pampering come to you. Massages, facials and a host of therapeutic stuff are all available in-chalet. It’s not a luxury ski trip until you’ve indulged in some R&R. Just speak to our concierge team and we can arrange a bespoke pampering experience for you!
Many resort towns are home to ice rinks (after all, they’ve got the weather for it) so there’s always an opportunity if you fancy sharpening your skates and heading out onto the ice for a graceful afternoon trying not to fall over. Ice skating is one of the best things to do after skiing if you’ve got children, as it’s a lovely activity for the whole family, skating together on the ice before sipping on hot chocolate.
But skating isn’t the only thing you can do on an ice rink. If it’s available at your ski resort, it’s well worth joining the locals and taking in an ice hockey match – certainly an experience!
We’ve already covered the hot tub, so we’re not talking about that, or even some of the pretty swanky pools that come with some of our chalets. Cliché though it might be, but enjoying a fondue to accompany your après-ski is just the ticket when it comes to a filling, delicious and enjoyable meal.
More usually associated with Switzerland, skiing and fondue are now fairly inseparable across resorts around the world. Whether you’re going for a cheese or chocolate version, it’s a classic ski activity that is sure to get your energy right back up for another day of mountain fun.
You might think that a ski resort wouldn’t have much to offer in summer. But when it’s too warm for the snow to settle, a whole different side to the landscape is revealed. That’s why many of the best things to do at a ski resort don’t actually involve skiing at all if you visit in the summer!
Stark white gives way to lush greenery, and mountain biking, hiking trails and mountaineering abound in the surprising warmth of an Alpine summer. The resorts will be a lot less crowded (with accommodation being potentially much cheaper), and you’ll be privy to a side of the mountain life that’s only ever usually enjoyed by locals.
Enjoy long hikes in the mountains, trips to resort towns and summer festivals with food and live music. Further down the mountain, there will be lots of outdoor activities like cycling, tobogganing and even canoeing to experience, making summer trips to ski resorts a great choice for families.
Take a look at our summer chalet collection to find out more.
You might think that a holiday on the slopes has to involve skiing or snowboarding as the main activity, but that’s simply not the case. There are plenty of things to do on a luxury ski trip that can add to the experience and offer a sense of luxury or excitement depending on your preferences, so even if you’re travelling in a large group, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Oliver’s Travels has an ever-expanding portfolio of gorgeous luxury catered ski chalets in some of the world’s choicest resorts. With such quality accommodation, you can be sure of some top-class service. So if there’s anything we can do or help arrange to make your trip with us a little out of the ordinary, get in touch with our concierge team who can advise and help organise everything from transportation and housekeeping to private chefs and massage therapists!
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