11 Greatest U.S. Ski Cities to Go to Even If You Don’t Ski

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is a type of winter locations that’s tailored for each skiers and non-skiers. When you’d want to remain away from the steep slopes of Aspen Mountain, Marty Ryan, a concierge at The Gant, has just a few concepts on the right way to keep busy.  “A few of my favourite non-ski actions are sleigh rides to Pine Creek Cookhouse, which has unbelievable views, snowmobile excursions to the Maroon Bells, winter fly fishing, fat-tire biking, and snow tubing and alpine coaster rides at The Meadows at Elk Camp,” she says, including that the Aspen Artwork Museum is “world-renowned and free to go to.”

Mammoth Lakes, California

One of many greatest mountain cities in California, Mammoth Lakes attracts each avid skiers and people who’ve by no means strapped right into a ski boot. “Mammoth Lakes is nice for non-skiers as a result of there may be a lot to do this nonetheless lets you totally benefit from the snow,” says Aïda Mollenkamp, founding father of Salt & Wind Journey. Her high suggestions embody snow tubing at Woolly’s Journey Summit,  exploring the beautiful Lakes Basin on snowshoes, ice skating at LA Kings Ice at Mammoth Lakes, soaking within the wild scorching springs round Mammoth, saddling as much as the resort bar at Limelight Mammoth, and taking a trip up the Panorama Gondola. “On a transparent day, you possibly can see so far as Mono Lake and towards the Minaret Peaks,” she says.

Park Metropolis, Utah

Certainly one of my favourite ski cities within the U.S., Park Metropolis has all the pieces you want for a soothing getaway—one which doesn’t want a carry ticket. Begin by checking into the 12-key Washington College Home Resort, an enthralling boutique property that places you inside strolling distance of the most effective purchasing and consuming on Primary Avenue. After you have your bearings, head to Burns Cowboy Store to get fitted for brand new boots, browse the homewares at Gorsuch, and revel in a leisurely meal at Riverhorse on Primary. Park Metropolis additionally delivers on the winter journey entrance; snowmobiling and snowshoeing are strong choices, scenic chairlift and gondola rides at Deer Valley grant wonderful views, and Woodward Park Metropolis claims it has Utah’s longest tubing lane (1,200 ft).

Jackson, Wyoming

I’ve misplaced rely of the variety of instances I’ve visited Jackson Gap, a vacation spot the place every season comes with its personal roster of actions. Within the winter, the aerial tram at Jackson Gap Mountain Resort is full of courageous skiers and snowboarders, however you don’t should hit the slopes to get pleasure from the fantastic thing about a Wyoming winter. On a current journey to this cowboy city, I stayed at The Cloudveil—conveniently positioned proper on Jackson City Sq.—and the resort’s Pathfinders had been in a position to set me up with a snowmobiling journey to Granite Scorching Springs. On a half-day tour, we navigated by means of the Bridger-Teton Nationwide Forest, handed by waterfalls, and soaked in a 100-plus-degree scorching springs pool. A sit by the resort’s fire and dinner at one in all Jackson’s coziest eating places, Bin22, rounded out the proper non-skiing day.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman, Montana, is each a metropolis and a ski city; in any case, Bridger Bowl Ski Space is nearly a 25-minute drive away. It’s additionally a dynamic vacation spot with infinite issues to do, even within the winter. “There’s a lot to do in Bozeman apart from snowboarding,” says Allison Bryan, founder and principal at Bodily Area. Take consuming out, as an illustration. She recommends guests try Blackbird Kitchen, Shan, Little Star Diner, and J.W. Heist Steakhouse. Outdoors of the culinary scene, she suggests trying out Umvelt—a bathhouse with saunas, chilly plunges, a steam room, and a pool—the Bozeman Traditional Pickleball Membership, the retailers on Primary Avenue, and the Museum of the Rockies (when you’re touring with youngsters).

Lake Placid, New York

A village within the Adirondacks is proof that not all the greatest ski cities for non-skiers are positioned west of the Mississippi. “With out snowboarding, Lake Placid remains to be an absolute winter trip wonderland. Mirror Lake turns into the nexus of consideration through the winter months, the place guests get pleasure from dogsled rides, the one-of-a-kind toboggan chute, snowshoeing, skating, and extra,” says Andrew Weibrecht, the operations supervisor and vp of the Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa (and a two-time Olympic medalist in alpine snowboarding). “Simply outdoors of city, one can not neglect all the pieces the Adirondack Park itself has to supply: snowmobiling on the Adirondack Rail Path, winter climbing and snowshoeing among the many Excessive Peaks, and ice fishing on the myriad of lakes and ponds.”

Taos, New Mexico

“Taos has a slower, extra soulful winter power. There’s a way of area and quiet right here that folks actually reply to, particularly vacationers who wish to unplug,” says Santiago La Roche, normal supervisor at Resort Willa, who shares that this time of 12 months is ideal for exploring the native artwork scene, museums, galleries, and studios. When you’ve had your fill of indoor actions, put together to move outdoors. “Snowshoeing and simple winter hikes are approachable for most individuals and don’t require snowboarding expertise,” he provides. Don’t neglect to depart time in your itinerary for a wander round Taos Plaza, which sits within the middle of the Taos Historic District.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Colorado is a state that excels within the winter; its residents have discovered the right way to admire the chilly temperatures, whether or not or not they take into account themselves skiers. The city of Breckenridge demonstrates this lifestyle completely. “I’d say that Breckenridge is pretty distinctive due to the mix of nice snowboarding, a cute historic city, and simpler accessibility. For many who aren’t keen on swooshing down the slopes, there are ample alternatives to benefit from the trails on snowshoes, be part of historic excursions, expertise the foods and drinks scene, and far more,” says Dan Kraft, winemaker at Continental Divide Vineyard. “Historic Primary Avenue is an enormous a part of Breck for non-skiers, simple to spend a day popping into boutiques and native galleries, then warming up with a drink or chunk downtown.”

He additionally recommends ice skating on the Stephen C. West Ice Area, a horse-drawn sleigh trip or sleigh dinner, gondola rides, and a brief add-on drive to the Sapphire Level Overlook close to Dillon Reservoir, for “an accessible stroll with views particularly lovely round sundown.”

Large Sky, Montana

Whereas Large Sky is maybe Montana’s most iconic ski city, its attraction is multi-dimensional. “Apart from snowboarding, what makes Large Sky such a unbelievable vacation spot is the handy entry it affords to the huge and pristine wilderness Montana is so well-known for—there are infinite alternatives to get out and benefit from the surroundings round us,” says Matt Jackson, the supervisor of recreation and leisure at One&Solely Moonlight Basin. He mentions “miles of quiet trails which might be nice for snowshoeing, Nordic snowboarding, and fat-tire biking,” in addition to dogsledding, snowmobiling, and winter excursions into close by Yellowstone Nationwide Park.

Ketchum, Idaho

The winter season in Ketchum, Idaho—the historic downtown adjoining to Solar Valley—has all the pieces a non-skier might presumably need: espresso retailers, wellness experiences, ice skating, hockey video games, year-round fly fishing, and boutique purchasing. Shake off any jet lag out of your travels with a therapeutic massage and crimson gentle remedy from Monarch Ketchum earlier than concurrently purchasing for classic items and getting caffeinated at Maude’s—or spend just a few hours shopping the exhibitions on the Solar Valley Museum of Artwork. To get your fill of contemporary air and chilly temperatures, head out on guided fly fishing journeys on the Large Wooden River with Silver Creek Outfitters.