Not everyone in the family has to ski to love a snow vacation. The best winter trips for non-skiers are ski towns with a full menu of off-slope fun. Jackson Hole has dog sledding and sleigh rides through the National Elk Refuge. Jay Peak in Vermont has an indoor waterpark. In Whistler, you can ride an Olympic bobsled with a pro pilot. Here are nine winter destinations where skiers and non-skiers can share the same trip for the 2026–27 season, with the top activity at each and where to stay.
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Want more cold-weather ideas? See our 7 best winter family vacations, from hot tubs to northern lights. If your crew does want to hit the slopes, check out these top family ski resorts for a winter to remember.
| Destination | Best non-ski activity | Best for | Nearest airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole, WY | Dog sledding + Elk Refuge sleigh ride | Wildlife lovers | Jackson Hole (JAC) |
| White Mountains, NH | Ice Castles + Mt. Washington SnowCoach | New England road trips | Manchester (MHT) |
| Beaver Creek, CO | Village ice rink with ice bikes | Colorado families | Eagle County (EGE) |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Utah Olympic Park bobsled + museums | Olympics fans | Salt Lake City (SLC) |
| Lake Tahoe, CA | Disco Tubing at Palisades Tahoe | West Coast drive-to trips | Reno-Tahoe (RNO) |
| Sun Valley, ID | Nordic & Snowshoe Center, fat biking | Quiet, classic ski town | Friedman Memorial (SUN) |
| Taos Ski Valley, NM | Snowmobile tour to 11,500 ft | Culture + snow combo | Albuquerque (ABQ) |
| Stowe & Jay Peak, VT | Pump House indoor waterpark | Younger kids | Burlington (BTV) |
| Whistler, BC | Passenger bobsleigh on the Olympic track | Teens and thrill-seekers | Vancouver (YVR) |
Jackson Hole – Wyoming
Jackson Hole is such a beautiful place to visit in the winter. Fresh snow blankets the entire mountainous region, turning it into a wonderland of outdoor fun and adventure. One exciting activity that shouldn’t be missed is dog sledding. On a Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tour, guests embark on an expertly guided tour through that fresh blanket of snow, for views of icy mountains and wildlife like moose and bald eagles. The full-day tour includes a delicious lunch and an unforgettable trip to enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs. Another one of the best ways for a family to enjoy the wildlife is to visit the nearby National Elk Refuge, a sanctuary designed to protect migrating elk. When planning your visit to the refuge, book a cozy horse-drawn sleigh ride. This is a fun way to travel across the snowy landscape and see close-up views of elk, moose, and native birds. Other area activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and guided tours of Yellowstone, one of the most incredible national parks in the country.
Where to stay in Jackson Hole
The Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa in the town of Jackson is one of the best places for families to stay in the area. The resort is close to town and offers a variety of lodging options. Kids will have fun swimming in the heated pool and enjoy sipping hot cocoa and eating yummy smores at the outdoor fire pit. Adults will appreciate the full-service spa, on-site dining, and complimentary shuttle service to and from Teton Village.
Adding Yellowstone to the trip? Our Yellowstone family trip guide covers geysers, Grand Teton and wildlife with kids. For a grown-ups’ getaway, try this Jackson Hole girls trip guide.
These dogs sure know how to travel. Photo by Mark Hodnett on Unsplash.
Northern New Hampshire
Families will find plenty of fun winter activities throughout the gorgeous White Mountains of New Hampshire. A perfect day trip is a visit to the frozen Ice Castles in North Woodstock. Ice Castles builds a walk-through world of icicle tunnels, slides, and glowing towers. It usually opens in late December and runs until early March, depending on the weather, and advance tickets go on sale in early December. Book a timed entry, since weekends sell out.
At Great Glen Trails in Gorham, a heated SnowCoach climbs the Mt. Washington Auto Road to the treeline at about 4,200 feet, gaining more than 3,000 feet in elevation. Tickets are $79 for adults and $49 for kids ages 4–12.
Where to Stay in Northern New Hampshire
Families will find plenty of family-friendly lodging at Waterville Valley. There are several hotels in the area, including the Golden Eagle Lodge. The lodge has many amenities for children, including a game room, indoor pool, and playground. The nearby Waterville Valley Resort works for non-skiers too. Its Nordic Center has more than 70 km of trails open to snowshoers and fat bikers, with rentals on site. In Town Square, the Alley & Arcade has four bowling lanes and arcade games and is open daily from 10am to 9pm.
Coming back when the snow melts? Here’s our fall trip to the White Mountains of NH, plus our ultimate guide to New England family vacations in every season.
Exploring the tunnels of a castle made from ice. Photo by N. Smith
Beaver Creek, Colorado
If you’re looking for a Colorado winter vacation for non-skiers, Beaver Creek is the easiest pick. The village is car-free and walkable, it has a skating rink with fire pits, and Vail is 15 minutes away.
Beaver Creek Village Resort is a great place for the whole family to ice skate. This outdoor rink is perfect for both beginners and seasoned skaters. Ice skates and helmets are available nearby, and the firepits around the rink are perfect for warming up after a few laps.
For another cool experience (haha), adults and older kids may also want to try gliding across the ice on one of the rink’s ice bikes. Beaver Creek offers many activities for non-skiers, including dog sledding, art galleries, and shopping. More winter fun can also be found in the nearby towns of Vail and Copper Mountain.
For more on the area, read our things to do in Beaver Creek and Vail with adventurous kids, or compare the best Colorado resorts for families.
Where to Stay in Beaver Creek, Colorado
Beaver Creek Village is one of the largest ski resorts in the area and an ideal place to stay in the winter months because there is so much to do on-site. Besides great ice skating, the ski town resort offers great dining options, childcare, and a performing arts center that often features family-friendly shows and live music.
Enjoying a few spins around the ice. Photo by Cottonbro Studio on Pexels.
Salt Lake City, Utah
You don’t need to ski to have a great winter getaway in Salt Lake City. From snow tubing to snowshoeing to ice skating, there is something to keep families busy every day of their vacation. Adventurous family members may want to try their hand at ice climbing. Utah Mountain Adventures offers instruction and all the equipment you need to safely ice climb over frozen waterfalls.
The Winter Olympics are coming back to Utah in 2034, with Salt Lake City as host and events in Park City, so this is a fun time to see where it all happened in 2002. At Utah Olympic Park in Park City, about 40 minutes from downtown Salt Lake, the Winter Bobsled Experience sends you down the 2002 Olympic track behind a pro pilot. The ride lasts less than a minute, and you’ll feel up to 4–5 Gs. Riders must be at least 13 years old and weigh at least 100 lbs, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign a waiver. Tickets are $225 per person, or $249 on holiday dates (Dec. 26–30 and Jan. 2), and the season runs through mid-April. Family members who don’t ride can explore the park’s museums, which cover Utah ski history and the 2002 Games and are open daily from 9am to 6pm.
Where to Stay in Salt Lake City, Utah
The Grand America Hotel offers family-friendly accommodations located close to many area attractions. The hotel includes an indoor pool and suites with kitchenettes. Hotel staff will assist guests with babysitting referrals and provide free children’s amenities.
Plan the rest of your trip with our visitor’s guide to Salt Lake City in winter and Park City in winter with the whole family. Teens who want indoor thrills will love Woodward Park City.
Race you to the bottom! Photo by Rowan Simpson on Unsplash
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is a perfect place for Californians to enjoy incredible winter fun without traveling far. Daytime tubing at Palisades Tahoe runs in the SnoVentures Activity Zone, with two lanes for ages 4 and up. For a break from the cold, take the Aerial Tram up to High Camp, where the Olympic Museum tells the story of the 1960 Winter Games, which were held right here.
Alpenglow Expeditions in the Village leads guided snowshoe tours. For a high-energy, nighttime experience, sign up for one of their Disco Tubing sessions and enjoy night tubing down the slopes under LED lights. You will also find great cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowmobile tours in the Lake Tahoe area.
Where to stay in Lake Tahoe, California
The Village at Palisades Tahoe is close to winter activities and great shopping and dining. There are several outdoor hot tubs on-site and large rooms with full kitchens and fireplaces. Free parking is another bonus feature.
See more outdoor activities you can only do in Lake Tahoe in December and our things to do in South Lake Tahoe with kids.
Can’t wait for the ride down! Photo by Amy Tran on Unsplash.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley offers so much winter fun that your family will start planning your return trip before you even leave. A fun way to explore the mountains while getting great exercise is by spending the day nordic skiing or snowshoeing. Whether you’re new to the sport or have years of experience, you should make a stop at the Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center. There are miles of beautifully manicured trails on the property, and expert guides will provide skiers of all levels with instruction and equipment assistance. Another up-and-coming seasonal sport is winter fat biking, where riders set out in the snow on special bikes with four-inch tires that safely keep them stable over fat bike trails. Fat bikes can be rented at the Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center and there are various other trails to enjoy around the Sun Valley area.
Where to Stay in Sun Valley, Idaho
To make the most of your winter vacation, The Sun Valley Resort is the place to be. This resort has everything from nordic skiing to ice skating to sleigh rides. For indoor fun, there is also a pool, bowling alley, and a nearby movie theater that will keep the family entertained for hours.
Skiers in the family? Our guide to the best ski resorts in Idaho with kids has them covered.
A walk in the woods is so much fun on snowshoes. Photo by Aaron Huber on Unsplash
Taos Ski Village, New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley is a small Bavarian-style village in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with its base at 9,200 feet. While the skiers head up the mountain, non-skiers can ride snowmobiles, skate, snowshoe, and sled without leaving the village. Historic Taos is just down the road.
Taos Ski Valley Wilderness Adventures, run by a guide everyone knows as Big Al, leads two-hour tours that climb to 11,500 feet. Tours are family-friendly and open to all skill levels. Adults can drive their own snowmobile, kids and teens ride with an adult, and warm gear is provided if needed. Tours meet in the Gila parking lot and run from late November to early April.
Ice skate at the Eis Haus. The rink in the Lower Plaza is open afternoons and evenings all season. Big fireplaces line the side of the ice, so anyone who isn’t skating can warm up and watch.
Book a guided snowshoe hike through the resort, or bring your own sled to the hill next to the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa and the Gondolita.
The town of Taos is about 30–40 minutes down the mountain. Walk across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, about 650 feet above the river, or visit Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inhabited for more than 1,000 years. The Pueblo sometimes closes for ceremonies, so check its hours before you go.
Where to Stay in Taos, New Mexico
The Alpine Village Suites offers both vacation homes and hotel suites. The suites include family-friendly amenities including rooms with kitchenettes and free cribs for little ones. After a busy day of outdoor fun, adults can pamper themselves by soaking in the outdoor hot tub or taking advantage of the property’s massage services. Alpine Village is also pet friendly, so feel free to bring your four-legged friends along for the trip.
Climb aboard a snowmobile for an amazing winter adventure. Photo by Syed Qaarif Andrabi on Pexels.
Stowe and Jay Peak, Vermont
Vermont is a strong pick for non-skiers because its two big family resorts are built around plenty more than skiing. In Stowe, you can snowshoe to frozen waterfalls and go ice fishing. About 90 minutes north, Jay Peak has an indoor waterpark kept warm all winter.
Spruce Peak is the village at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort. Spruce Peak Outfitters runs guided tours every day on the trails around The Lodge:
- Spruce Loop: a beginner-friendly 50-minute loop for $30 per person, free on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Frozen Waterfalls: 2.5 hours for $60.
- Smugglers’ Notch: 1.5 hours for $45.
- Full Moon: a 7:30 p.m. outing for $40 that mixes in some stargazing.
If you’d rather explore on your own, rentals are $30 a day. Book at 802-760-4061.
The Fly Rod Shop on Route 100 in Stowe runs half-day (4-hour) and full-day (6-hour) ice fishing trips. They start at $295 for one person plus $65 for each extra guest, with up to five per trip. All the gear is included, and guides teach ice safety along the way. The season usually runs from mid-to-late December through March 20, depending on the ice. You’ll need warm clothes and Vermont fishing licenses.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice climbing and dog sledding are also offered around Stowe.
Where to stay in Vermont
If your family is a fan of waterparks, Jay Peak Resort is where you want to be. The resort’s Pump House WaterPark is a full-size indoor park where children (and adults) will have hours of fun enjoying the lazy river, water slides, and splash pad. The kids will also enjoy the arcade, rock climbing wall, and ice arena on-site. If your family wants to be closer to all the snow-related activities, The Lodge at Spruce Peak (formerly Stowe Mountain Lodge) puts you right in the base village, steps from the snowshoe trails.
For skiers in the family, see why Jay Peak and Stowe made our East Coast ski lists. Coming back in warmer months? Try these Vermont road trips for families.
Hoping to catch a big one. Photo by Glenna Haug on Unsplash.
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb is a great spot for one of the best winter vacations around. The 2010 Winter Olympics took place here, and it offers plenty of exciting outdoor activities. A trip to Ziptrek Ecotours will give you an unbelievable adrenaline rush as you soar on a zipline against a mountain backdrop above snow-covered treetops. Teens in your group may also want to try bobsledding.
At the Whistler Sliding Center, built for the 2010 Olympics, the Passenger Bobsleigh puts you behind a trained pilot at more than 125 km/h (about 78 mph) through 10 corners. Riders must be 14 or older, and 14- and 15-year-olds need an adult with them. Daredevils can try the Public Skeleton, a headfirst solo slide of up to 100 km/h. The season runs roughly December through April.
Where to Stay in Whistler, British Columbia
There are lots of great options for lodging in the Whistler Blackcomb area, including VRBOs and resorts. The Crystal Lodge Hotel is popular with families because the hotel offers interconnecting rooms and several suite options. The Crystal Lodge is located close to the slopes and offers many great amenities, including a game room and pool.
Flying into Vancouver? Spend a couple of days in the city first with our long weekend in Vancouver with kids.
Who says skiers have all the fun in winter? Photo by Paje Victoria on Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Vacations for Non-Skiers
What can non-skiers do on a ski vacation?
Most big ski towns offer dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and fat biking. Some go further: Jay Peak in Vermont has an indoor waterpark, and Utah Olympic Park and Whistler offer bobsled rides on real Olympic tracks.
What is the best ski town for non-skiers in the US?
Jackson Hole is one of the strongest picks. You get dog sledding, sleigh rides through the National Elk Refuge and guided Yellowstone winter tours, all from one base. With younger kids, Jay Peak’s Pump House waterpark makes it an easy choice.
Where can non-skiers go in Colorado in winter?
Beaver Creek is a great choice. Its car-free village has an outdoor skating rink with fire pits and ice bikes, plus dog sledding, galleries and shopping, and Vail is 15 minutes away.
How old do you have to be to ride a bobsled at an Olympic park?
At Utah Olympic Park in Park City, riders must be at least 13 and weigh at least 100 lbs, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign a waiver. At the Whistler Sliding Centre, passenger bobsleigh riders must be 14 or older, and 14- and 15-year-olds must ride with an adult.
When should I book winter activities for non-skiers?
Book as early as possible. Ice Castles in New Hampshire usually releases tickets in early December and opens in late December. Holiday-week snowmobile, sleigh ride and dog sledding tours often fill weeks ahead.
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Kimberly Falchek is a freelance writer and child development specialist based out of Salem, Massachusetts. She has contributed to several parenting and travel publications. When not working, Kimberly enjoys hiking, photography, and traveling with family.