The best snow holidays for non skiers

The sound of impatient barking fills the air, the huskies flinging themselves bodily forward in their eagerness to be off. Then silence, only the soft sound of paws crunching on snow as the brakes are released and we speed through Lapland’s winter landscape.

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I’ll never forget the dogs’ sheer joy at being able to run and run through the snowy paths among the trees, the infectious enthusiasm which brought a grin to my own face and set my heart racing. Years on, it’s still one of my favourite travel memories.

For someone normally defaults to beach over mountains, it’s often winter activities like this which tempt me more than making it off the nursery slope – so if you’re less tempted by the pistes, here’s why snow holidays for non skiers are still a great idea.

Because who doesn’t like the sound of enjoying powdery snow under clear blue skies, then having a luxuriously cosy place to curl up in the evening or some of the famous après-ski (or instead-of-ski in my case).

If you’re looking for the best winter snow holidays for non-skiers with kids, you can’t beat a Santa break in Lapland – check out my essential packing list for Lapland as well as my tips for visiting Lapland with kids

Some of the big ski holiday companies have woken up to the idea that people want alternatives to skiing, especially families where not everyone might enjoy or be able to take to the slopes, so family snow holidays without skiing are ever easier to find.

And with self-catering apartments (and catered chalets) as well as hotels, there’s lots of flexibility if you want to curl up with a hot chocolate and a book for a few hours.

But however you choose to book, you’ll find more and more places to try out some fun snowy activities for non-skiers, including some of the most popular French mountain resorts.

I’ve focused on winter activities which can be found across Europe, including Scandinavia as well as the Alps and other ski destinations, for this post – if you’re heading to Scandinavia, there’s the chance to see the Northern Lights too though.

If you’re heading to Norway, check out these ideas of things to do in Tromso in winter

Dog sledding

Husky sledding is huge fun, especially with kids – the dogs’ excitement is infectious as they bark to be allowed to run and run and run.

And whooshing smoothly over the snow, stretching white to the trees and the horizon is unforgettable – especially as it’s usually almost silent once the huskies do get going.

We tried this in Alpe d’Huez – you can take the lifts over from neighbouring areas if you’re not staying in Alpe d’Huez itself, or pick up your sled ride from the bottom of the pistes.

In Avoriaz and Les Molliets (near Les Carroz, Samoens and Flaine) you can even learn to drive your own team of dogs – mushing is harder work so there are also more traditional dog sledding options too.

If you’re visiting Switzerland or Austria, you’ll find husky sledding in the main winter resorts, and unsurprisingly, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to try this in Lapland as well – we also took a short husky sled ride in Levi.

These are often combined with a visit to a Sami or Inuit camp, where you can learn more about the culture, sometimes even explore an igloo before finishing up with a glass of something warming. Mulled wine is one part of the ski experience that I do have practice at.

Reindeer sleigh rides & horse-drawn sleighs

Another unmissable part of a Santa holiday with kids, you’ll be spoiled for choice of reindeer sleigh rides in Lapland.

And while reindeer aren’t as common in the Alps, there are plenty of horse-drawn alternatives which are still just as magical.

Peisey Vallandry in Savoie often has both, if your kids have their heart set on a trip with Rudolph, while Les 2 Alpes and Meribel in France both have the horse-drawn option, as well as a string of similar sleigh rides in Austria.

Snowmoto/snowmobiles

Going snowmobiling in Lapland is another of my favourite memories from trips to Finland – being able to cruise through this white landscape is always fun, but it also lets you venture further afield than if you were on foot or skis.

Understandably, younger kids can’t get behind the wheel of a standard snowmobile – although for our snowmobile excursion in Levi, our guide pulled the kids behind their snowmobile in a separate little pod.

But they can try snowmoto or electric snomobiling that’s suitable for children aged 5-10 – you’ll find it in French ski resorts like Tignes as well as Val d’Isere, sometimes called Skidoo or Moonbiking as well.

Check out some more family-friendly snowmobile excursions here

Tobogganing (sledging)

It’s another classic winter activity – all you need is a slope, some snow and even a fairly basic sledge or toboggan to have fun.

When we were in Lapland, you could pick them up relatively cheaply (and they come in handy to tow younger kids along if their legs get tired of walking through the snow).

It goes without saying to choose one you can control and to pick a slope where you won’t be zooming across the piste – some ski resorts have their own toboggan areas, such as the ones in Les Arcs, while Cosmojet in Val Thorens is the largest toboggan run in France and it takes 45 minutes to descend the 6km route (suitable for kids aged 5+ accompanied by an adult).

Or once your kids turn six, Les Arcs should be on your radar for another reason, with new generation Airboard sledges to whizz along the slopes – a little like bodyboarding on an air mattress on the snow!

And in Valloire, the whole family can sledge down together on a “snake gliss” – the triangular toboggans hook up to each other, to form the snake sledge.

Fat biking (and e-fat biking)

Cycling in the snow doesn’t sound much fun – until you find out about fatbikes. With their specially designed fat tires, you can bike over the powder for a fun adventure beyond the ski resort.

Not an option for toddlers, but you can find child fatbikes for younger ones to join in in the Alps as well as e-fatbiking (electric snowbikes, effectively) for adults and older teens.

It takes a little while to get the hang of it, so it’s not something for kids to try if they can’t ride an ordinary bike.

Although if you can, it’s definitely not as hard as learning to cycle all over again – plus snowy mountain holidays also mean plenty of padding thanks to thermal ski gear if you do fall off!

Throw snowballs

Are you ever too old for a snowball fight? Always the highlight of a family holiday in the mountains for my daughter, some areas even have special snowball fight arenas.

Here, rather than just grabbing a handful of snow, you’re divided into teams and have obstacles to avoid as you pelt each other.

I’ve been on the receiving end of my daughter’s snowballs so I’m definitely staying on her team – her aim might not always be accurate, but she doesn’t hold back!

Alternatively, you can often find snowball makers to pack the powdery snow into perfect spheres before pelting your family.

More snow activities for non-skiers

It’s worth keeping an eye out for more quirky activities to try, with different areas and ski resorts adding more new and unusual things to do on winter holidays.

In Meribel, kids aged 7-12 can head off on an evening adventure on snowshoes, looking for tracks left in the snow by animals and even how to build an igloo.

You can all pull on snowshoes and set off to explore too – Switzerland has a string of trails to tackle including these family friendly options around Zermatt, or Les Menuires in France has guided hikes for age 6+.

Or you can try your hand at laser rifle shooting as part of biathlon (yes, the one you see in the winter Olympics) in resorts like La Rosiere for age 7+ as well as more options for kids in Alpe d’Huez – even little ones can have a go.

For something more fun, archery tag uses foam tipped arrows – designed for groups, the aim is not to get hit by the arrows but to see how many targets you can hit. La Plagne, Megeve and Savoie Mont-Blanc are just a few of the places in the French Alps offering this.

Personally, after that, my sights are firmly set on finding a sauna.

If you do want to ski as well, or at least fit in a couple of lessons on your family winter snow holidays, check out my tips for a first family ski trip as well as ideas for family ski holidays with childcare

*First published 2018, last updated 2026*

PIN FOR LATER: FAMILY SNOW HOLIDAYS FOR NON-SKIERS

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions about the best things to do on snow holidays for non skiers are my own

Huskies in Alpe d’Huez/Reindeer image copyright MummyTravels, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos/Shutterstock

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