NONSKIERS Choose icy adventures at slow pace

middle of the day.”

If snow strolling is too slow, ice skating or snow biking might be the right blend of action and control.

Live that spa life

You’ve strapped on the snowshoes, screamed down a coaster and now you just need some pampering. This is where the spa day comes in. After a massage, a body wrap and a dip in the hot tub, you might be ready for the next outdoor adventure.

Plaskitt said higher-end

resorts, especially in Europe, have world-leading wellness facilities with swimming pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, “you name it.” In the United States, Forbes raves about the “fantastic” spa at the St. Regis Deer Valley in Utah; the new 20,000-square-foot spa at the Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho and the “exceptional” spa at the Little Nell in Aspen.

Staying indoors? Reichsfeld said some resorts will offer golf or fly-fishing simulators to hone skills for summertime.

Local sites and culture

Steed said he recommends travelers check with the local chamber of commerce for historic and cultural attractions. Destinations that were established before a ski resort opened are typically the best for

those kind of activities, he said.

“A lot of people are surprised: ‘Oh, I didn’t realize there’s an art museum, I didn’t realize there are walking tours, history tours,’ ” he said. Other tours might include stargazing and wildlife viewing, he said.

Explore food and drink

Travelers constantly ask about restaurants to check out, and Steed said resort towns cater to foodies. But he cautioned that it’s important to make reservations “well in advance” because some restaurants can book up months ahead. For a winter spin on the meal, he said some destinations also offer dinner-andsleigh-ride combos.

Plaskitt said some mountain restaurants are accessible via gondolas or pedestrian lifts, giving nonskiers a great view on the way to a meal.

Telluride, Colo., and Bend, Ore., are both great ski destinations for beer lovers, Reichsfeld said, while Plaskitt recommended the food scenes in Crested Butte, Colo., and Sun Valley, Idaho.

And Plaskitt said that many ski resorts in France

GETTY IMAGES The classic fallback of a good book, or three, in front of a roaring fireplace could be just the right touch after a day at the ice rink or exploring local culture.