Best Ski Resorts for Non-Skiers at Christmas

What Makes a Ski Resort Good for Non-Skiers?

The best ski resorts for non-skiers are not defined by altitude alone. While the quality of the slopes matters for skiers heading out each morning, non-skiers need a resort with easy access, varied activities and a village that is easy to explore on foot

Scenic railways, pedestrian lift passes, winter walking routes and viewpoints all help non-skiers feel connected to the landscape. At Christmas, festive events are also significant. Advent markets, tree lightings, sleigh rides, concerts, festive hotel dinners and family activities provide plenty of options for all ages.

Accommodation is just as important. A luxury chalet with a private spa, indoor pool, cinema room and chef-prepared festive menus can make time away from the slopes one of the best parts of the holiday.

1. Zermatt, Switzerland

Best for: Matterhorn views, scenic railways and high-altitude lunches

Few resorts are as instantly recognisable as Zermatt. The car-free village sits beneath the Matterhorn, with narrow streets, old timber buildings and a mountain backdrop that gives the resort much of its appeal.

For non-skiers, Zermatt’s biggest advantage is that the mountains are easy to access without skis. The Gornergrat Railway is one of the best ways to experience the landscape, climbing from the village to panoramic viewpoints with uninterrupted views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise offers another option for those who want to reach higher altitudes without skiing.

There is also plenty to do closer to the village. Non-skiers in Zermatt can visit the Matterhorn Museum, browse the shops, stop for hot chocolate, or follow winter walking and snowshoe routes around the resort. For families, the Rotenboden toboggan run on the Gornergrat offers a more active way to enjoy the snow, while husky experiences add something different to the itinerary.

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2. St Moritz, Switzerland

Best for: Grand hotels and historic winter experiences

St Moritz has long been associated with winter travel, but its appeal extends well beyond skiing. The resort combines lakeside scenery, grand hotels, designer boutiques, historic sporting traditions and a calendar of seasonal events that gives the festive season a real sense of occasion.

During Advent, non-skiers in St Moritz can explore the Christmas Market and nearby Engadine markets, where regional food, crafts and seasonal music bring the village centre to life. A horse-drawn carriage ride across the frozen lake or through one of the side valleys is another classic way to experience the landscape at a slower pace.

For a more unusual winter activity, the Olympia Bob Run offers a direct link to St Moritz’s sporting history. Dating back to 1904, it remains one of the resort’s most distinctive experiences and is a memorable option for guests who want something beyond shopping and spa time.

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3. Megeve, France

Best for: Village charm, Christmas lights and family-friendly festive events

Megeve is one of the most appealing French resorts for non-skiers, especially at Christmas. The village centre is easy to explore on foot, with cobbled streets, softly lit shopfronts, and a main square centred around its large Christmas tree.

The tree lighting is a much-loved local tradition, while the festive programme often brings light shows, music and family activities into the heart of the village. Younger guests can head to the outdoor ice rink to meet Santa Claus and his elves, with workshops and letter-writing sessions adding to the Christmas atmosphere.

There is plenty to enjoy beyond the main square. At Palais Megeve, visitors can try curling, figure skating and other ice activities, while horse-drawn carriage rides offer a relaxed way to see the village. Non-skiers in Megeve can also spend time browsing local fashion houses, jewellers and designers before stopping in one of Megève’s tea rooms for hot chocolate and a pastry.

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4. Lech, Austria

Best for: Advent markets & quiet luxury

For non-skiers, Lech offers a calmer alternative to larger, busier Alpine destinations, with warm service, Tirolean cuisine, traditional architecture and beautiful mountain surroundings.

During Advent, markets take place across Lech, Zürs and Zug, bringing local food, crafts and seasonal music into the villages.

Days can be shaped around the landscape without needing to ski. Non-skiers in Lech can follow Lech Zürs’ winter walking trails, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Zugertal, visit Skyspace Lech by James Turrell, or try the illuminated toboggan run from Oberlech to Lech. The route is family-friendly and open into the evening, making it a good option after lunch or before returning to the chalet.

Lech is also an excellent resort for those who like to plan their day around food. Lunch might mean a mountain restaurant in Oberlech or a traditional Austrian meal in the village, while evenings can be kept simple with dinner back at your luxury chalet.

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5. Courchevel, France

Best for: Mountain access, long lunches and varied family activities

Courchevel is often discussed in terms of its skiing, but it is also one of the most practical luxury resorts for non-skiers. Its pedestrian pass allows guests to use selected lifts without skis, making it possible to reach viewpoints, mountain restaurants and walking routes.

Away from the lifts, Courchevel has a wide choice of winter activities. Non-skiers in Courchevel can try dog sledding, snowshoeing, tobogganing or indoor activities at Le Forum, including the ice rink and bowling. Aquamotion in Courchevel 1650 is another useful option for families or mixed-weather days, with pools, wellness areas and leisure facilities.

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6. Gstaad, Switzerland

Best for: Fondue experiences, carriage rides and designer shopping

Gstaad is ideal for travellers who want a peaceful winter holiday.

One of the most distinctive non-ski experiences in Gstaad is Fondueland Gstaad. Guests can collect a fondue or raclette backpack from a local dairy and take it into the surrounding landscape, where large fondue pots and huts provide an unusual setting for lunch. There is also a mobile fondue carriage, combining local food with a horse-drawn ride through the region.

For those who prefer a gentler itinerary, Gstaad offers winter hiking, guided tours, spa treatments and plenty of designer shops. Nearby Saanen adds another festive element, with its Christmas market bringing crafts, local food and warm drinks to the village.

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Why a Luxury Chalet Works So Well for Non-Skiers

For non-skiers, the chalet is central to the holiday. It is where guests have the space to relax in private, enjoy the spa facilities without watching the clock and eat what they want and when they want.

A well-chosen chalet allows the whole group to come together without everyone needing to follow the same schedule. Skiers can leave early and return for afternoon tea, while non-skiers can enjoy the pool, book treatments, visit a Christmas market, take a winter walk or spend time in the village.

With our concierge team on hand to help, non-skiers can enjoy an itinerary built around the resort itself: the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt, a carriage ride in St Moritz, the Christmas Village in Megève, lantern-lit walks in Lech, a mountain lunch in Courchevel or a fondue backpack experience in Gstaad.

A festive ski holiday works best when every guest has their own way to enjoy the mountains. The right resort and chalet make that possible.