Thousands of us go on skiing trips but don’t bother to ski!

IF you love the idea of relaxing by the fire with an apres-ski cocktail – but think actually hitting the slopes sounds like too much effort – you’re not alone.

Research has found many holidaymakers who spend small fortunes travelling to exclusive winter resorts only go for the nightlife.

Thousands of Britons who jet off each year don’t take part in skiing or snowboarding, with roughly one in ten avoiding the sports.

Of those who don’t take part, more than a fifth sit out because they don’t know how to do them – and a similar proportion say they prefer other activities. One in eight admit they only book ski trips on the insistence of their partner.

Almost 1.2 million Britons went on skiing holidays last year. But 15 per cent of men don’t ski, snowboard or do any other sports at the resorts – around 112,500 – according to research by insurer Direct

Only there for the nightlife

Line. The figure is 8 per cent among women, or about 36,000.

With the average spend among non-skiers being £592, this means almost £88million is being spent by ski trippers who have no intention of actually taking part.

A fifth of 18 to 34-year-olds have been to a ski resort without getting a ski pass, rather than be left at home while their friends go away.

Drinking was among the most common activities instead of sports, with 10 per cent of non-skiers saying they hit the bars instead of the slopes. The most popular pastime was walking, with more than a quarter enjoying the views in the pretty, snow-covered resorts.

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line, said: ‘Thousands of Brits jet off to ski resorts each winter and, while the thought of speeding down a mountain side may be exhilarating for some, it can be intimidating for others.’