Never caught the skiing or snowboarding bug, but want to experience just what makes winter getaways so fun? You’re not alone — most, if not all, destinations have activities for those who’d rather not navigate icy mountains. Here are a few that are offering notable alternatives.
Cross-country skiing/canopy tours
The Omni Mount
Washington Resort
Bretton Woods, N.H.
Skiers love how easy it is to get from the majestic Mount Washington Resort to the famed Bretton Woods ski area, but Mount Washington also has plenty of options for those who don’t want to hit the slopes. Resort guests and the public alike can take advantage of their “Zip & Spa” package, including a canopy tour and a 50-minute spa treatment for $140. At their Bretton Woods Nordic Center, snow bunnies can book such activities as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides and ice-skating.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides
Spring Creek Ranch
Jackson Hole, Wyo.
www.springcreekranch.com
Spring Creek Ranch, set on a wildlife sanctuary 1,000 feet above the village of Jackson Hole, is the ideal base camp for non-skiers and skiers alike. In addition to the sleigh rides, you can also enjoy dog-sledding, skating, guided snowmobile tours or, best of all, wildlife safaris where a naturalist will take you to wildlife hubs like Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. That beats lines for chairlifts any day.
Luxury spa treatments
The Woodstock Inn & Resort
Woodstock, Vt.
www.woodstockinn.com
Let the family play outside while you stay warm and pampered inside with The Woodstock Inn & Resort’s “Pampered & Great Spa Escape.” The Vermont luxury spa, which opened in September, is offering this indulgent package for Sunday to Wednesday arrivals for a standard guest room for $888 — but then you get that $888 back in spa credit.
