Ski holidays are great for skiers, but don't offer anything for non skiers.
Right? Wrong! The problem with skiing holidays is in their name - perhaps they should be called "winter holidays".
Calling them ski holidays makes a loud statement that "this holiday is for people who ski".
What many non skiers don't realise is that taking a winter holiday in a ski resort can be an excellent way to spend a week, even if you aren't convinced by the merits of hurtling downhill with two planks of wood strapped to your feet.
There are a number of reasons why ski resorts can be good for non skiers, and here we will list out just a few of them; 1) First and foremost, the mountains in winter can be one of the most beautiful and exhilarating places to spend a holiday.
The air is clear, the scenery is amazing and the weather (although often cold) can be predominantly sunny.
No wonder that for generations, the Alps have been a popular destination for convalescence and for people searching for a miracle cure.
2) The range of activities on offer for non skiers can be endless.
A lot of cable cars, gondolas and chairlifts accept non skiers, so it is easy to get a feel for the crazy alpine world of the skier, and get down the mountain at a reasonable speed rather than at the mercy of gravity.
It is possible to go snow shoeing, horse riding, dog sledding, parapenting and any number of other alpine activities.
Many ski resorts have natural thermal pools to relax in, and a lot of ski resorts benefit from spa and pool facilities.
3) Depending on what resort you choose, the shopping facilities can be superb.
Some of the more exclusive resorts have a real collection of boutique style shops (think Guuci and the like).
Bigger resorts such as Chamonix have a great range of all sorts of shops as well, so if retail therapy is your thing, a week in the mountains can really help.
4) 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 world foods.
5) Because of the geography of the Alps, ski resorts are very often located within a short distance of some of Europe's most beautiful cities - Annecy and Geneva to name two! With your day not tied up with skiing, you can spend a fantastic day sightseeing local attractions.
6) Finally and most importantly, as a non skier you can really take advantage of all the resorts have to offer.
If you are on a week's ski holiday, you will 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 refreshed.
So don't be put off by the name of the holiday theme.
Winter (or ski) holidays can appeal to everyone.