For those that have never skied before, the idea of heading to some snow-covered peak to strap on clunky and uncomfortable boots and then face your fear of heights and speed while pointing down a steep mountain is hardly the epitome of a luxurious vacation, especially compared to a beach holiday in India. But what you may not realize is skiing is just a part of the whole experience.
Basically, the skiing world is split in two: those that live for skiing and those that don’t, and both have amazing perks.
The problem is, those that fall in the don’t camp have probably fought against ever making the trip to stay in some amazing mountain lodge, waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and panoramic views of a mountain resort. There are no two ways about it, you’re missing out.
So, without further ado, here are the best ski resorts every non-skier needs to see firsthand. You’ll kick yourself for not doing it before:
Vail Mountain Resort, Colorado
As one of the biggest ski areas in the world, it may seem pretty weird that we’re slapping this resort at the top of our list. But there is so much to do outside of skiing, and it all starts with where you stay.
Our advice: the Marriott’s StreamSide Evergreen at Vail, which has oversized bathtubs, games rooms, racquetball courts and playgrounds. As for Vail itself, there is the Mardi Gras style celebration known as CarniVail, the best hot chocolate in the world, amazing gourmet eats to get your teeth into and some of the best Apres Ski cocktails your lips can ever hope to taste. It’s amazing. It’s a luxury village with high-end shopping, and it is amazing.
Montage Deer Valley, Utah
This is definitely for those that want to get their thrill on, but just not in the form of skis that you can’t control. Tubing, ice-skating, snowshoeing and even snowmobiling are all on the menu. You can even jump in an Olympic bobsled and get the Cool Runnings experience. Of course, this kind of thing isn’t for everyone, which is probably why you are reading this post, so we better mention the Spa Montage. To sum it up in the most succinct way possible, this is a 35,000 square foot haven that houses copper soaking tubs, saunas made from redwood and deluge showers. Mmmmm.
Omni Mount Washington, New England
Everything about this resort oozes luxury, from the white facade and red roof buildings to the romantic sleigh ride you can take through the woods, where gorgeous horses pull vintage carriages through the wooded hillsides. It really is a special place and one that was almost made for the non-skiers out there. If, however, you do want to dip your toe into the adrenaline pool just a little, there are two zip-lines, sky-bridges with amazing views of the White Mountains and a mesmeric slopeslide climbing wall. Or you could just opt for a day relaxing at the spa before heading to one of the warm and cozy spas here. It’s totally your call.
