a nonskier on a ski trip - can it work?

[kristilew]

So DH and DD want us to go on a ski trip this January with several other families. I'm a wuss and don't ski...or snowboard, or tube, or really anything fast, downhill, and cold. BUT, I want them to have fun, and I know the apres-ski will be a blast with the group that is going.

So, my questions are: is there anything to do during the day at a ski resort for those who don't ski? and, Has anyone done a trip like this where one family member is the odd one out? (It is for a week at a ski resort out west)

thoughts?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have never skied but I suppose eating, sleeping and reading would be relaxing. Are you the type to relax or do you need stuff to do?

 

[rie'smom]

My husband and daughter ski but I don't. Usually, resorts have painting studios, so I paint either on canvas or on ceramics. It's also a good time for reading. I always bring my laptop, so I DIS too. It's fun to walk around the resorts. Depending upon the resort- Vail,Aspen, Mont Tremblant, for example, there's great shopping!

 

[kristilew]

awesome -that's just the kind of feedback I was looking for! I can relax with the best of them, but maybe not all day every day for a week. A painting studio sounds great. (And of course, shopping ) The resort is called Targhee.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

Haven't done it for a week, but it worked for me for a weekend trip.

DH and I went to Killington with a group of friends. We get there and it is 17 below zero at the base of the mountain! Nuh-uh, no way am I going up in that kind of cold. The resort had a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub. I was either there, or in front of the fireplace with a book, while the nutcases were freezing on the hill.

 

[goofy!]

awesome -that's just the kind of feedback I was looking for! I can relax with the best of them, but maybe not all day every day for a week. A painting studio sounds great. (And of course, shopping ) The resort is called Targhee.

Not sure how much shopping there is in Wyoming, as it is not so much a destination resort like the better known ones one state south.

But, if you head down to Colorado and stayed at Breckenridge, Copper, Vail, Steamboat - there is a ton to do without having to ski. Since these are huge destination resorts, they make it a point to have lots of activities for non-skiing family members.

For instance, in Vail, you could spend a week shopping. There are sleigh rides, places to ice skate, both indoor and outdoor, you can even go on a dog sled adventure. Or best yet, grab lunch in one of the restaurants and just people watch. They also have lots of stuff going on in the villages throughout the year.

 

[D&R love Disney]

I've been to Grand Targhee and there really isn't much to do in the area. It is beautiful though. If you have access to a car and don't mind driving mountain roads, Jackson Hole is wonderful!

 

[Sherlee]

I second all of the above - especially the people watching! Bring a book to main lodge, curl up by the fire, and relax. Do you like to cook and are you staying in condos with kitchens? I had fun preparing a couple of the big group dinners and also the happy hour appetizers. It is fun cooking with other peoples money and when the other people then clean up, too! You could also take the gondola to the top, take pictures and meet your group for lunch.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

When I was younger, I went on a snowboarding trip with then BF (now Ex-BF) to Snowbird in Utah. I hadn't snowboarded before but he loved it. I tried it once and decided it wasn't for me. I still had a great week hanging out by the fireplace reading, getting hot chocolate (at the time the best hot chocolate I had ever had), hanging out at the hot tub, shopping, etc.

 

[PatsGirl]

I am also a non-skier who ends up going on a ski vacation at least once each year and we almost always stay in a condo or chalet. I enjoy my coffee and paper while everyone else is running around getting their ski gear together I then spend the rest of my morning shopping or at the sauna or just reading... I then get dinner started for the whole group. Sometimes it's just a matter of spaghetti and mb in the crockpot and making up a salad and garlic bread, sometimes it's putting together a stew in the crockpot and baking biscuits. I then meet everyone for happy hour and apps (usually get one in before they come off the slopes) and when everyone is ready to go home, dinner is ready. I do nothing from that point forward I don't serve it, set the table, or do the dishes. So, while everyone is skiing, I have a nice relaxing morning-early afternoon, spend an hour or so readying dinner, and then enjoy the rest of my day and evening... works for me and I know everyone appreciates it.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

well, I am a skier. BUT I think you could enjoy the day in the main lodge and soak up the ambiance! There are a ton of actives to enjoy around the lodge area. you might want to try a spa day! most places I have been to you can do this, they will have a health and spa club. They usually have some fine dining options also. And shopping!! lol It is even just fun to watch! who knows, you may get the bug to try it!!!!
where are you heading to anyways??

 

[jsmith]

Grand Targhee will be a much different experience than one of the colorado or utah resorts-and much less expensive-the ski terrain is much different also-not that you care. They should however have a very nice spa-and as someone else said you can drive to Jackson-if you are not intimidated by mountain winter driving. there is also the small community of Driggs Idaho near bye.

 

[kristilew]

Thanks everyone for your upbeat responses! I feel a lot better about this trip now. Yes, we'd be staying in a condo, and there is a spa at the lodge. We will have a 4 wheel drive as well, so I could see doing a day trip.

DH will be quite happy to have me on board with this