Non-skiers can enjoy the Alps too: Five top choices for foodies, party animals and spa lovers

There’s nothing like the Alps in the winter if you love a bit of snow. But if the prospect of strapping a couple of bits of wood to your feet and sliding down a hill doesn’t appeal, don’t worry, you don’t have to miss out on all the fun.

All over the Alps, resorts are recognising the demand for non-skier amenities and have really stepped up their game in terms of appeal. If you’d like to experience a snowy mountain holiday without exertion, here are five of the best places for non-skiers during winter.

Southwest of Salzburg in the Austrian Alps, Zell am See-Kaprun sits at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in the High Tauern mountains. The little lake resort maintains a small cobbled town vibe, complete with the majestic 12th-century Kaprun Castle towering over the village.

Once reserved for only the most intrepid alpinists, the summit of the Kitzsteinhorn is now well within reach of even the most snow-shy traveller. 

Opened in 2019, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier Cable Car is Salzburg’s first tricable gondola lift, transporting up to 10 passengers at a time from Kaprun to the summit of the mountain. At the top, Gipfelwelt 3000 offers two panoramic platforms for unrivalled views of the Hohe Tauern National Park and Austria's highest mountains.

North of the village, the Tauern Spa Hotel & Therme is a great choice for non-skiers, with 20,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor spa areas, including a dozen pools and 13 different saunas and steam baths. 

Every room has a balcony overlooking the mountains, and with six different restaurants on site, visitors won’t get bored with the food.

The local area has a wealth of activities, from casinos to national parks. Nearby, visitors can take a break from the snow at one of the many