I’m almost beside myself with excitement today as my boyfriend has just let slip he’s booked a weekend away in Yorkshire at the fantastic Snozone in Castleford! Wooohooo. I’ve never been but spend many an hour drooling over the website planning what activities I’d do, which cafe I’d eat in, what I’d buy in the no doubt tremendously well stocked ski shop……

I’m really not much of a skier so I’m not going to waste precious time on the slopes there, when frankly, I’m going to have a much more enjoyable time sledging and trying out the ice slide. These are the kind of activities I do when on a winter holiday anyway and I feel just as exhausted and exhilarated after 30 minutes of these sports as my boyfriend does snowboarding or skiing. It’ll be nice to go there together but to go our own way for an hour or two and do our own thing.

I’ve also been promised a night in one of Yorkshire’s romantic hotels as part of the weekend and a trip to the German Market in Leeds for lovely food and mulled wine. I’m so excited!

I love winter holidays and even as a non-skier (well a very novice, still very wary of the slopes skier) I have enjoyed many happy times in the snow and ice without feeling like I was missing out on any of the fun. You don’t really see ‘winter holidays’ advertised – you see ‘skiing holidays’ but that’s pretty off putting for non-skiers right? It certainly was for me until I took my first trip to Whistler about 5 years ago in the company of a couple of other non-skiers and had the time of my life! What I didn’t realise, and this must be the same for other non-skiers, is that taking a winter holiday in a ski resort can be fantastic way to spend a week or two, even if you aren’t convinced by the merits of speeding downhill with just those two planks of wood strapped to your feet….

There are hundreds of reasons why ski resorts can be good for non skiers or us total beginners, the secret is to book ahead and check out the other facilities available so you’ll know there are going to be alternatives. If you book the right resort, the range of activities on offer for non skiers can be endless and many ski deals will definitely make this a feature to attract more holidaymakers. Many cable cars and chairlifts accept non skiers, so it’s very easy to get a feel for the world of the skier, but to get back down the mountain at a speed you are comfortable. It is also possible to go snow-tubing, hiking, horse riding, dog sledding or any other number of snow related activities. Many ski resorts also have natural thermal pools to relax in, and a lot of ski resorts benefit from spa and pool facilities which can be enjoyed by all.

Depending on the resort you choose, the shopping and restaurant facilities can be absolutely fantastic. Some of the more exclusive resorts have a huge collection of boutique style shops (think Chanel and the like) and large resorts such as Chamonix have a great range of all types of shops. The cuisine in the Alps is superb – from regional restaurants serving up fondue and other cheese based delights, to sophisticated gastro restaurants serving up a wide variety of global foods, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Resorts in the Rockies and in Canada also have a fantastic range of shops and restaurants which really adds to the enjoyment of the holiday.

Of course, the mountains in the middle of winter can be one of the most amazing and exhilarating places to spend a holiday. The air is crystal clear, the scenery is beyond breathtaking and the weather (although often below freezing) can be still be pretty sunny. No wonder that for generations, the Alps in particular have been a popular destination for convalescence. Because of the its geography, ski resorts in the Alps are very often located within a short drive of some of Europe’s most beautiful cities – like Geneva. You can spend a fantastic day sightseeing local attractions if you choose not to go on the slopes.

So, as a non skier, you can also take real advantage of all the resorts have to offer. If you are on a week’s ski holiday, you will want to spend every hour of every day skiing, and all evening recovering. As a non skier, you holiday can be varied, and you can return home feeling like you’ve had a real break. Winter (or ski) holidays can appeal to everyone so why not book one today? I certainly will be….:-)