11 Best U.S. Ski Towns to Visit Even If You Don’t Ski

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is one of those winter destinations that’s tailor-made for both skiers and non-skiers. If you’d prefer to stay clear of the steep slopes of Aspen Mountain, Marty Ryan, a concierge at The Gant, has a few ideas on how to stay busy.  “Some of my favorite non-ski activities are sleigh rides to Pine Creek Cookhouse, which has incredible views, snowmobile tours 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, adding that the Aspen Art Museum is “world-renowned and free to visit.”

Mammoth Lakes, California

One of the best mountain towns in California, Mammoth Lakes draws both avid skiers and those who’ve never strapped into a ski boot. “Mammoth Lakes is great for non-skiers because there is plenty to do that still allows you to fully enjoy the snow,” says Aïda Mollenkamp, founder of Salt & Wind Travel. Her top recommendations include snow tubing at Woolly’s Adventure Summit,  exploring the stunning Lakes Basin on snowshoes, ice skating at LA Kings Ice at Mammoth Lakes, soaking in the wild hot springs around Mammoth, saddling up to the hotel bar at Limelight Mammoth, and taking a ride up the Panorama Gondola. “On a clear day, you can see as far as Mono Lake and toward the Minaret Peaks,” she says.

Park City, Utah

One of my favorite ski towns in the U.S., Park City has everything you need for a relaxing getaway—one that doesn’t need a lift ticket. Start by checking into the 12-key Washington School House Hotel, a charming boutique property that puts you within walking distance of the best shopping and eating on Main Street. Once you have your bearings, head to Burns Cowboy Shop to get fitted for new boots, browse the homewares at Gorsuch, and enjoy a leisurely meal at Riverhorse on Main. Park City also delivers on the winter adventure front; snowmobiling and snowshoeing are solid options, scenic chairlift and gondola rides at Deer Valley grant amazing views, and Woodward Park City claims it has Utah’s longest tubing lane (1,200 feet).

Jackson, Wyoming

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited Jackson Hole, a destination where each season comes with its own roster of activities. In the winter, the aerial tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is packed with brave skiers and snowboarders, but you don’t have to hit the slopes to enjoy the beauty of a Wyoming winter. On a recent trip to this cowboy town, I stayed at The Cloudveil—conveniently located right on Jackson Town Square—and the hotel’s Pathfinders were able to set me up with a snowmobiling adventure to Granite Hot Springs. On a half-day tour, we navigated through the Bridger-Teton National Forest, passed by waterfalls, and soaked in a 100-plus-degree hot springs pool. A sit by the hotel’s fireplace and dinner at one of Jackson’s coziest restaurants, Bin22, rounded out the perfect non-skiing day.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman, Montana, is both a city and a ski town; after all, Bridger Bowl Ski Area is just about a 25-minute drive away. It’s also a dynamic destination with endless things to do, even in the winter. “There’s so much to do in Bozeman besides skiing,” says Allison Bryan, founder and principal at Physical Space. Take eating out, for instance. She recommends visitors check out Blackbird Kitchen, Shan, Little Star Diner, and J.W. Heist Steakhouse. Outside of the culinary scene, she suggests checking out Umvelt—a bathhouse with saunas, cold plunges, a steam room, and a pool—the Bozeman Classic Pickleball Club, the shops on Main Street, and the Museum of the Rockies (if you’re traveling with kids).

Lake Placid, New York

A village in the Adirondacks is proof that not all of the best ski towns for non-skiers are located west of the Mississippi. “Without skiing, Lake Placid is still an absolute winter vacation wonderland. Mirror Lake becomes the nexus of attention during the winter months, where visitors enjoy dogsled rides, the one-of-a-kind toboggan chute, snowshoeing, skating, and more,” says Andrew Weibrecht, the operations manager and vice president of the Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa (and a two-time Olympic medalist in alpine skiing). “Just outside of town, one cannot forget everything the Adirondack Park itself has to offer: snowmobiling on the Adirondack Rail Trail, winter hiking and snowshoeing among the High Peaks, and ice fishing on the myriad of lakes and ponds.”

Taos, New Mexico

“Taos has a slower, more soulful winter energy. There’s a sense of space and quiet here that people really respond to, especially travelers who want to unplug,” says Santiago La Roche, general manager at Hotel Willa, who shares that this time of year is perfect for exploring the local art scene, museums, galleries, and studios. Once you’ve had your fill of indoor activities, prepare to head outside. “Snowshoeing and easy winter hikes are approachable for most people and don’t require skiing experience,” he adds. Don’t forget to leave time in your itinerary for a wander around Taos Plaza, which sits in the center of the Taos Historic District.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Colorado is a state that excels in the winter; its residents have figured out how to appreciate the cold temperatures, whether or not they consider themselves skiers. The town of Breckenridge demonstrates this way of life perfectly. “I would say that Breckenridge is fairly unique because of the combination of great skiing, a cute historic town, and easier accessibility. For those who aren’t interested in swooshing down the slopes, there are ample opportunities to enjoy the trails on snowshoes, join historical tours, experience the food and drink scene, and much more,” says Dan Kraft, winemaker at Continental Divide Winery. “Historic Main Street is a big part of Breck for non-skiers, easy to spend an afternoon popping into boutiques and local galleries, then warming up with a drink or bite downtown.”

He also recommends ice skating at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, a horse-drawn sleigh ride or sleigh dinner, gondola rides, and a short add-on drive to the Sapphire Point Overlook near Dillon Reservoir, for “an accessible walk with views especially beautiful around sunset.”

Big Sky, Montana

While Big Sky is perhaps Montana’s most iconic ski town, its appeal is multi-dimensional. “Besides skiing, what makes Big Sky such a fantastic destination is the convenient access it offers to the vast and pristine wilderness Montana is so well-known for—there are endless opportunities to get out and enjoy the environment around us,” says Matt Jackson, the manager of recreation and leisure at One&Only Moonlight Basin. He mentions “miles of quiet trails that are great for snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and fat-tire biking,” as well as dogsledding, snowmobiling, and winter tours into nearby Yellowstone National Park.

Ketchum, Idaho

The winter season in Ketchum, Idaho—the historic downtown adjacent to Sun Valley—has everything a non-skier could possibly want: coffee shops, wellness experiences, ice skating, hockey games, year-round fly fishing, and boutique shopping. Shake off any jet lag from your travels with a massage and red light therapy from Monarch Ketchum before simultaneously shopping for vintage pieces and getting caffeinated at Maude’s—or spend a few hours browsing the exhibitions at the Sun Valley Museum of Art. To get your fill of fresh air and cold temperatures, head out on guided fly fishing trips on the Big Wood River with Silver Creek Outfitters.