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The 10 Most Fun Ski Towns for Non-Skiers

You don’t have to hit the slopes to have fun in these winter wonderlands.

Between days on the slopes, afternoons at the bar, and nights by the fire, a ski vacation is one of the best ways to spend the winter season. However, you don’t have to be a skier to enjoy a trip to the mountain, especially if you’re a fan of Michelin-starred dining, world-class shopping, or luxurious spa days. Whether you opt for bobsledding in Lake Placid, gallery-hopping in Taos, or partying the night away in St. Anton, you can have just as much—if not more—fun as your ski bum friends. Next time your crew suggests a ski trip, choose one of these 10 towns and know that the good times will go far beyond the mountain.

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For the Foodie: St. Moritz

WHERE: Switzerland

Switzerland’s most glamorous resort town, St. Moritz is home to designer boutiques, five-star hotels, and nearly 220 miles of terrain. Those in the know go for its impressive dining scene, which includes four Michelin-starred restaurants. Visit Ecco on Snow for Rolf Fliegauf’s modern cuisine, or Da Vittorio for Italian-inspired fare. If you want Mediterranean, try Cà D’Oro or Talvo by Dalsass. Of course, there are great spots without Michelin stars, too, like Reto Mathis’ CheCha Restaurant & Club, which specializes in truffles and caviar. For a quintessential experience, enjoy a slice of custard cream cake on the sunny terrace at El Paradiso.

INSIDER TIPThe village of St. Moritz is divided into two main areas—the upper Dorf and the lower Bad. It’s easy enough to get between the two by bus but Dorf is home to the majority of the restaurants so gourmands should stay there

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For the Shopaholic: Aspen

WHERE: Colorado

When it comes to Aspen, one person’s ski heaven is another’s shopping nirvana. Beyond designer boutiques like Prada, Gucci, and Dior, the classic ski town is home to such spots as Pitkin County Dry Goods, a family-owned shop that’s been selling casual clothing since 1969, and Explore Booksellers, which features an atrium full of art books. Hit MAX for stylish women’s wear, or Kemo Sabe for handsome cowboy boots and belt buckles. Also worth a browse are Meridian Jewelers, Susie’s Ltd. Consignments, and Gorsuch for ski fashions, antique homewares, and elegant gifts.

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For the Spa Lover: Niseko

WHERE: Japan

In a typical January, Niseko, located on the island of Hokkaido, gets more snow than any other ski town in the world. Beyond its average 50 feet of powder, however, it’s known for its onsen—traditionally nude, gender-segregated bathing facilities fed by hot springs. Ki Niseko houses indoor and outdoor onsens, a sauna, and plunge pools, while The Vale Niseko scents its baths with sandalwood and lavender essential oils. Try The Green Leaf for its natural rock pools surrounded by boulders and pine trees, or the Niseko Prince Hotel Hirafutei onsen for its stunning views of Mount Yotei. For something more intimate, Kanronomori rents private onsen for 50 minutes at a time.

INSIDER TIPDeparting twice each evening from the Hirafu welcome center, the Niseko Yumeguri Bus will take you to the less crowded onsens on the outskirts of town for just 500 yen (about $4.50) per ride.

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For the Olympic Obsessive: Lake Placid

WHERE: New York

While the town of Lake Placid is just 13 miles from premier ski resort Whiteface, it’s arguably the greater attraction of the two. Home to natural beauty, outdoor activities, and historic sites, it also hosted the Winter Olympic Games—twice. Visitors can relive the “Miracle on Ice” at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, where the U.S. men’s hockey team beat the Soviet Union in 1980, or tour the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which features U.S. hockey goalie Jim Craig’s jersey and pads. When it’s time for some action, ride a bobsled down the actual Olympic track at the Olympic Sports Complex, or snowshoe the world-class trails at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Cross Country & Biathlon Center. At the Olympic Jumping Complex, you can take an elevator to the top of the 394-foot-high ski jump ramp, or watch aerialists do tricks on the freestyle hill.

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For the Art Nut: Taos

WHERE: New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley may be among North America’s most challenging ski areas, but just 20 miles away, the town of Taos offers a whole different delight. A mecca for artists, Taos features five museums and 85 galleries, 50 of which are in the downtown area alone. Start your tour on Kit Carson Road, which has the greatest concentration of galleries, then head to the Harwood Museum for a mix of traditional Hispanic and contemporary works. You’ll also want to hit the Millicent Rogers Museum for Native American art, and the Taos Art Museum for its rotating collection of paintings by Taos artists, including the founders of the original Taos Society of Artists. For an inside look at said society, visit the E.L. Blumenschein Home and Museum, then finish at the Hacienda de los Martinez, a former community refuge that houses restored rooms, textiles, and crafts from the early 19th century.

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For the Partier: St. Anton

WHERE: Austria

The gateway to the Arlberg region, St. Anton is home to one of the world’s largest ski areas. It’s also the center of après-ski culture, in great part thanks to infamous bars like Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh. Located on either side of the Galzig gondola, the two spots serve vast quantities of beer and Jägermeister each afternoon as patrons dance on tabletops to oom-pah music. For a slightly mellower scene, try Underground on the Piste, located further down Galzig in a candlelit chalet, or Gribali, which offers live rock, soul, and blues most days. Come evening, head into town and keep the party going at Murrmel, known for its lively music and dancing, and Postkeller, which hosts DJs every night. Finish by dancing into the wee hours at new favorite Hells Club, located in the stylish Tyrol Hotel.

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For the Nature Lover: Jackson

WHERE: Wyoming

Adrenaline addicts seek out Jackson Hole for its steep terrain but, for those not willing to risk their lives on Corbet’s Couloir, the town of Jackson can be equally exciting. Within driving distance of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, it offers access to unique outdoor activities for the entire family. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge and get up-close-and-personal with a herd numbering in the thousands, or let Old Faithful Snowmobile Tours guide you through Yellowstone, searching for elk, bison, and bald eagles along the way. Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours offers full-day trips through Bridger-Teton National Forest to the Granite Hot Springs, while Wyoming Stargazing will take your group to a prime location in Grand Teton National Park and help you spot planets, galaxies, and more.

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For the Beach Bum: Jay Peak

WHERE: Vermont

Jay Peak may have the eighth largest vertical drop in New England, but it’s also a friendly, laid-back mountain—with a massive waterpark. Instead of freezing on the slopes, spend the day at the Pump House Indoor Waterpark, where you can start slow with dips in the indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Once you’ve mustered the courage, try La Chute, a 65-foot waterslide on which you can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. Afterward, surf it off on the Double Barrel Flowrider, then take a ride on the Big River, which winds around the entire park and features strong currents, rapids, and surprising depth changes. Kids can look forward to a play area with water cannons, while adults will appreciate the snack shack and fully stocked bar.

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For the Sightseer: Breuil-Cervinia

WHERE: Italy

 

Connected by a network of slopes to Zermatt and two separate glaciers, Breuil-Cervinia also boasts the best snow records in Italy, the highest lifts in Europe, and breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Perhaps most interesting, though, is the fact that the resort town is surrounded by a valley of medieval castles and fortresses, offering endless opportunities for exploration. First, head to the town of Aosta, where you can tour ancient ruins like the Teatro Romano, the Arco di Augusto, and the Forensic Cryptoporticus, which historians believe once served as a military storage area or covered market. Then, visit the stunning Castello di Fénis, originally built as a residence in the 13th century, before carrying on to Forte di Bard, a 19th-century fortress that now houses four different museums. On your way home, stop at the Musée Petite Monde in Torgnon, where you can get a sense of rural life in the 1700s.

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For the Adventurer: Whistler

WHERE: British Columbia

Just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is home to one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Beyond its more than 200 trails, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers, however, the town also has access to a wide range of adrenaline-pumping activities. Learn to climb ice formations during a lesson with Mountain Skills Academy, or fly through the backcountry at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour with Superfly Ziplines, which boasts the longest tandem ziplines in Canada. Blackcomb Helicopters leads hiking tours across 12,000-year-old glaciers to hidden lakes and magical ice caves, while the Coca-Cola Tube Park offers night sledding on 1,000 feet of groomed trails. For the ultimate thrill, turn to Whistler Bungee and jump off a 160-foot-high bridge over the Cheakamus River, surrounded by gorgeous forest and rugged basalt-rock cliffs.

 

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