If you don’t ski, no worries

Hotels and ski resorts know that not everyone who checks in is there to check out the skiing. Many couples and “blended” families – die-hard snow lovers and cocoa-loving couch potatoes – are also looking for alternative entertainment to spending a day on the slopes.

Most destinations have that in mind, realizing that if they also cater to non-skiers chances are they’ll get more skiers to come in the first place.

Amenities such as baby-sitting, spa packages, adventure outings and even shuttles to area shopping provide entertainment for the entire family.

If part of your family isn’t interested in flying down the mountain at breakneck speeds, be sure to ask about what else is offered on and near the mountain before you make reservations. That way you’ve taken a big step toward keeping everyone happy.

Here are a few examples of what some Northwest ski resorts offer non-skiers :

British Columbia: Whistler/Blackcomb, recently voted the No.1 ski resort in North America, doesn’t just offer state-of-the-art skiing. Spas, an eight-screen theater, a public library and a historical and wildlife museum give it wide appeal. For more information online go to www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Idaho: Schweitzer Village, on Schweitzer Mountain, offers outdoor adventure activities as well as a climbing wall and teen center. Upscale shopping, Christmas activities and child care add to the experience for the entire family.

Nearby Sandpoint – Sunset Magazine’s “favorite small town in the West” – offers fine dining and a variety of shopping opportunities. Concerts, theater and art galleries make it a cultural experience.

For more information about Schweitzer go to www.schweitzer.com/winter.

To learn more about activities in Sandpoint go to www.sandpointonline.com.

Montana: Big Mountain Resort offers access to nearby Glacier National Park and outdoor adventure activities like dog sledding. The town of Whitefish is packed with shopping and restaurants featuring upscale antiquing and handmade gifts. Served by Amtrak, the picturesque town is packed with charm and plenty to do.

For more information about Big Mountain Resort go to bigmtn.com. For information on the town of Whitefish go to www.whitefishmt.com.

Washington: Crystal Mountain, a top-ranked resort in Western Washington, doesn’t skimp on the amenities. Massage therapy and luxury bus service offer distractions for those who don’t ski. Fireplaces in the guest suites, DVD players and Internet access layer on the comfort. For more information online go to www.skicrystal.com.

Oregon: The historic Timberline Lodge, a spectacular, Depression-era WPA project completed in only 15 months and dedicated by president Franklin Roosevelt in 1937, is perched on the side of Oregon’s Mount Hood. It is the only ski area in North America to offer year-round skiing, but the non-skiers aren’t forgotten.

Seasonal activities are available for the whole family, and include a full calendar of events from Thanksgiving dinner to a Labor Day arts and crafts fair. For the more adventurous, the Silcox Hut, a rustic lodge accessible only by snow cat, is available for group rentals.

For more information online go to www.timberlinelodge.com.