A Non-Skier's Guide to a Ski Town

Everyone promised that you would have skiing down in no time, right? Instead, you got stuck on the "Magic Carpet" and could barely manage the "pizza" while ski-clad tots were gracefully whizzing past you. Trust us, we've been there. But after many failed attempts at tricky ski maneuvers like getting off the ski-lift without face planting, we've learned a new trick: how to find the coolest non-skiing activities in ski towns. In fact, ski towns have a lot more to offer than just the slopes -- we promise! So for those of you who got roped into a ski-centric vacation, check out our favorite non-skier activities in nine ski destinations below.

Go on a Dogsled Tour: While your friends are out enjoying the fresh powder on the slopes, you can be too -- but in the comfort of a horse, er, dog-drawn sleigh. Winterhawk Dogsled Adventures runs daily tours in Alaskan husky-drawn sleds; the basic tour explores the expansive grounds of the historic 4 Eagle Ranch, while adventure tours run across more remote terrain at a higher altitude. The concierge at The Sebastian can arrange a tour for you, even ahead of your stay.

Tour a mine: Breckenridge is home to Country Boy Mine, a restored historic gold mine that was founded in 1887. Visitors to the mine can embark on an underground tour (complete with hard hats), pan for gold in Eureka Creek, and even slide down the 55-foot ore chute. The Moutain Thunder Lodge is less than a 10-minute drive from the mine.

Go on a dining tour: Whistler Village has some top-notch restaurants. With over 30 options, it can be hard to try them all -- unless you hit a few in one night, of course. The Whistler Tasting Tours offer a variety of dining tours throughout Whistler Village, where guides bring groups to multiple restaurants over a few hours' time. So whether you want a four-course meal from luxurious, fine-dining picks, or would prefer to skip dinner and treat your palate to a multitude of desserts, you'll be able to do just that. The Westin Resort & Spa is just a two-minute walk from the heart of Whistler Village, where the tours meet.

Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery: Located on bustling Robson Square, the Vancouver Art Gallery is the fifth-largest art gallery in Canada, with over 10,000 pieces in the permanent collection. Housed in a stately former courthouse, the art gallery focuses on works of famous British Columbian artists such as Emily Carr, but the museum also has has an extensive collection of Chagall's works and hosts visiting exhibitions throughout the year. The Moda Hotel is just one block from the museum.

Go bobsledding at the Utah Olympic Park: Built for the 2002 Winter Games, the Utah Olympic Park is still an active spot. Visitors can watch professionals practice for the upcoming games, and they can even participate in some of the fun! Adventurous types can race along the bobsled track (with the security of a professional pilot) and those staying at the Bear Hollow Village only have to walk next door to join in.

Go to the zoo: The Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, with a primate building, an "elephant encounter" space, a discovery theater, and even a carousel, has tons of animals to check out and plenty of things to do. In the months leading up to Christmas, the zoo is also the scene of a large holiday lights show. Just east of the University of Utah, the Hogle Zoo is a 12-minute drive from The Grand America Hotel, a site to see in itself.

Attend a Winter Carnival: A tradition since 1897, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a week-long festival of games, races, performances, and of course, a fireworks show from the massive ice palace. This season's carnival will be held February 3rd to February 12th, and the theme is "Space Alien Invasion" -- should be interesting! The Crowne Plaza Resort is less than 15 minutes from the site of the activities.

Snowshoe: Snowshoeing is a popular winter sport in Jackson Hole (and almost every ski destination, for that matter). Spring Creek Ranch offers snowshoe rentals so guests can run free on the nearly 1,000 acres of wildlife refuge, with stunning views of the Tetons. For the less adventurous types, horseback riding trails are transformed into snowshoeing trails during the winter months.

Get some R&R: While others are hitting the slopes, you can be hitting the spa. Aspen and Snowmass are chic hangouts, with plenty of upscale hotels with upscale spas. One of the best is the spa at the Viceroy Snowmass. At 7,000 square feet, the spa features 6 treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy room, and a luxe relaxation room. Snowmass and Viceroy Snowmass are coming to Oyster.com -- check back soon!