The sound of impatient barking fills the air, the huskies flinging themselves bodily ahead of their eagerness to be off. Then silence, solely the mushy sound of paws crunching on snow because the brakes are launched and we pace via Lapland’s winter panorama.
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I’ll always remember the canine’ sheer pleasure at having the ability to run and run via the snowy paths among the many timber, the infectious enthusiasm which introduced a smile to my very own face and set my coronary heart racing. Years on, it’s nonetheless one among my favorite journey recollections.
For somebody usually defaults to seaside over mountains, it’s usually winter actions like this which tempt me greater than making it off the nursery slope – so for those who’re much less tempted by the pistes, right here’s why snow holidays for non skiers are nonetheless an excellent concept.
As a result of who doesn’t just like the sound of having fun with powdery snow below clear blue skies, then having a luxuriously cosy place to curve up within the night or a few of the well-known après-ski (or instead-of-ski in my case).
In case you’re on the lookout for one of the best winter snow holidays for non-skiers with youngsters, you may’t beat a Santa break in Lapland – take a look at my important packing listing for Lapland in addition to my suggestions for visiting Lapland with youngsters
A few of the massive ski vacation corporations have woken as much as the concept that individuals need options to snowboarding, particularly households the place not everybody would possibly take pleasure in or be capable of take to the slopes, so household snow holidays with out snowboarding are ever simpler to seek out.
And with self-catering residences (and catered chalets) in addition to lodges, there’s numerous flexibility if you wish to curl up with a scorching chocolate and a e book for a couple of hours.
However nevertheless you select to e book, you’ll discover increasingly locations to check out some enjoyable snowy actions for non-skiers, together with a few of the hottest French mountain resorts.
I’ve targeted on winter actions which could be discovered throughout Europe, together with Scandinavia in addition to the Alps and different ski locations, for this submit – for those who’re heading to Scandinavia, there’s the prospect to see the Northern Lights too although.
Canine sledding
Husky sledding is big enjoyable, particularly with youngsters – the canine’ pleasure is infectious as they bark to be allowed to run and run and run.
And whooshing easily over the snow, stretching white to the timber and the horizon is unforgettable – particularly because it’s normally nearly silent as soon as the huskies do get going.
We tried this in Alpe d’Huez – you may take the lifts over from neighbouring areas for those who’re not staying in Alpe d’Huez itself, or decide up your sled trip from the underside of the pistes.
In Avoriaz you may even be taught to drive your personal staff of canine – mushing is tougher work so there are additionally extra conventional canine sledding choices too.
In case you’re visiting Switzerland or Austria, you’ll discover husky sledding in the primary winter resorts, and unsurprisingly, you’ll discover loads of alternatives to do that in Lapland as nicely – we additionally took a brief husky sled trip in Levi and you’ll usually.
These are sometimes mixed with a go to to a Sami or Inuit camp, the place you may be taught extra in regards to the tradition, typically even discover an igloo earlier than ending up with a glass of one thing warming. Mulled wine is one a part of the ski expertise that I do have observe at.
Reindeer sleigh rides & horse-drawn sleighs
One other unmissable a part of a Santa vacation with youngsters, you’ll be spoiled for selection of reindeer sleigh rides in Lapland.
And whereas reindeer aren’t as widespread within the Alps, there are many horse-drawn options that are nonetheless simply as magical.
Peisey Vallandry in Savoie usually has each, in case your youngsters have their coronary heart set on a visit with Rudolph, whereas Les 2 Alpes and Meribel in France each have the horse-drawn possibility, in addition to a string of comparable sleigh rides in Austria.
Snowmoto/snowmobiles
Going snowmobiling in Lapland is one other of my favorite recollections from journeys to Finland – having the ability to cruise via this white panorama is at all times enjoyable, nevertheless it additionally allows you to enterprise additional afield than for those who had been on foot or skis.
Understandably, youthful youngsters can’t get behind the wheel of a regular snowmobile – though for our snowmobile tour in Levi, our information pulled the youngsters behind their snowmobile in a separate little pod.
However they’ll strive snowmoto or electrical snomobiling that’s appropriate for youngsters aged 5-10 – you’ll discover it in French ski resorts like Tignes in addition to Val d’Isere, typically referred to as Skidoo or Moonbiking as nicely.
Take a look at some extra family-friendly snowmobile excursions right here
Tobogganing (sledging)
It’s one other traditional winter exercise – all you want is a slope, some snow and even a reasonably fundamental sledge or toboggan to have enjoyable.
Once we had been in Lapland, you can decide them up comparatively cheaply (and so they turn out to be useful to tow youthful youngsters alongside if their legs get bored with strolling via the snow).
It goes with out saying to decide on one you may management and to select a slope the place you received’t be zooming throughout the piste – some ski resorts have their very own toboggan areas, resembling those in Les Arcs, whereas Cosmojet in Val Thorens is the biggest toboggan run in France and take 45 minutes to descend the 6km route (appropriate for teenagers aged 5+ accompanied by an grownup).
Or as soon as my daughter turns six, Les Arcs needs to be on our radar for one more motive, with new technology Airboard sledges to whizz alongside the slopes – just a little like bodyboarding on an air mattress on the snow!
And in Valloire, the entire household can sledge down collectively on a “snake gliss” – the triangular toboggans hook up to one another, to type the snake sledge.
Fats biking (and e-fat biking)
Biking within the snow doesn’t sound a lot enjoyable – till you discover out about fatbikes. With their specifically designed fats tires, you may bike over the powder for a enjoyable journey past the ski resort.
Not an possibility for toddlers, however you’ll find little one fatbikes for youthful ones to hitch in within the Alps in addition to e-fatbiking (electrical snowbikes, successfully) for adults and older teenagers.
It takes a short time to get the hold of it, so it’s not one thing for teenagers to strive if they’ll’t trip an odd bike. Though for those who can, it’s undoubtedly not as arduous as studying to cycle over again – plus snowy mountain holidays additionally imply loads of padding because of thermal ski gear for those who do fall off!
Throw snowballs
Are you ever too outdated for a snowball struggle? All the time the spotlight of a household vacation within the mountains for my daughter, some areas even have particular snowball struggle arenas.
Right here, relatively than simply grabbing a handful of snow, you’re divided into groups and have obstacles to keep away from as you pelt one another.
I’ve been on the receiving finish of my daughter’s snowballs so I’m undoubtedly staying on her staff – her purpose won’t at all times be correct, however she doesn’t maintain again!
Alternatively, you may usually discover snowball makers to pack the powdery snow into excellent spheres earlier than pelting your loved ones.
Extra snow actions for non-skiers
It’s price holding a watch out for extra quirky actions to strive, with totally different areas and ski resorts including extra new and strange issues to do on winter holidays.
In Meribel, youngsters aged 7-12 can head off on an night journey on snowshoes, on the lookout for tracks left within the snow by animals and even find out how to construct an igloo.
You’ll be able to all pull on snowshoes and set off to discover too – Switzerland has a string of trails to sort out together with these household pleasant choices round Zermatt, or Les Menuires in France has guided hikes for age 6+.
Or you may strive your hand at laser rifle taking pictures as a part of biathlon (sure, the one you see within the winter Olympics) in resorts like La Rosiere for age 7+ in addition to extra choices for teenagers in Alpe d’Huez – even toddlers can have a go.
For one thing extra enjoyable, archery tag makes use of foam tipped arrows – designed for teams, the purpose is to not get hit by the arrows however to see what number of targets you may hit. La Plagne, Megeve and Savoie Mont-Blanc are just some of the locations within the French Alps providing this.
Personally, after that, my sights are firmly set on discovering a sauna.
In case you do wish to ski as nicely, or not less than slot in a few classes on your loved ones winter snow holidays, take a look at my suggestions for a primary household ski journey in addition to concepts for household ski holidays with childcare
*First printed 2018, final up to date 2023*
PIN FOR LATER: FAMILY SNOW HOLIDAYS FOR NON-SKIERS
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions about one of the best issues to do on snow holidays for non skiers are my very own
Huskies in Alpe d’Huez/Reindeer picture copyright MummyTravels, all different pictures courtesy of Depositphotos/Shutterstock
