Mixed-group ski holidays often have one weak link: the non-skier. They get dragged along to a high-altitude purpose-built resort with nothing to do but wait at the bottom of the lift with a hot chocolate. Avoid this. Here are six Alpine resorts where the non-skier has a better week than the skier.
1. Megève, France
The Alpine equivalent of a Bond Street boutique. Cobbled village centre, horse-drawn sleighs, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the spa scene to match. Skiing is genteel and mid-altitude, so the non-skier isn't missing terrifying terrain anyway.
Non-skier rating: ★★★★★
2. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Italian style, Dolomite drama. Cortina is a real town with real shops, real cafés, and an evening passeggiata down Corso Italia. Foodie heaven. The 2026 Olympics have refurbished the lot.
Non-skier rating: ★★★★★
3. St Moritz, Switzerland
Famously expensive, famously chic. Frozen-lake horse racing, polo on snow, the Cresta Run, art galleries, and shopping that rivals Zürich. Skiers and non-skiers are equally well served, but the non-ski offering is unique.
Non-skier rating: ★★★★★
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
Car-free village, gorgeous architecture, the Matterhorn looming over everything. Excellent restaurants, mountaintop dining accessible via cable car (no skis required), Swiss-watch shopping. The Gornergrat railway is worth a day in its own right.
Non-skier rating: ★★★★
5. Chamonix, France
A working Alpine town rather than a resort. The Aiguille du Midi cable car takes non-skiers to 3,842m for the same view as the freeriders. Mountaineering history, climbing museums, good bookshops, brilliant cafés. Not glamorous but interesting.
Non-skier rating: ★★★★
6. Kitzbühel, Austria
Medieval walled town, picture-postcard pretty, surprisingly low altitude (800m) which means non-skiers can walk around in normal shoes. Strong food and drink culture, art galleries, and a thermal spa at Aurach.
Non-skier rating: ★★★★
Resorts to avoid for non-skiers
Anywhere with "Val" in the name (purpose-built, almost no village life) — Val Thorens, Val d'Isère, Val Cenis. Also La Plagne, Tignes, Les Arcs, Avoriaz. These are skiing factories. The non-skier will be bored by Tuesday.
Browse our collection of chalets across these resorts to plan the trip.