Before, during and after a long day of riding, the most important thing to keep you going is to stay fueled up with good, hearty ski town food.
Ski towns used to be notorious for trying to pawn off lukewarm chicken nuggets and soggy fries as the perfect meal to accompany an epic day on the mountain. But recently they’ve upped their game, with options that even urban “foodies” would approve
We wanted to share some of the Liftopia team’s best ski town eats in North America. Try any of these places the next time you are in their town and you will NOT be sorry. And tell them Liftopia sent you!
1. High West Distillery in Park City, Utah is a real, working distillery where they make their own whiskey and vodka. Try a sip of the Rendezvous Rye or the Silver Western Oat Whiskey while you read through the menu, or sample a whole flight of whiskeys if you’re done with the slopes for the day. On their menu you will find locally sourced regional and seasonal nouveau Western cuisine like the High West Burger – a secret blend of beef and bison meat, Idaho Elk, and Utah Trout. The fine food, spirits and handsome surroundings will make you start planning your next trip back to Park City.
High West Distillery
2. Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que in Vail, CO has won over the locals and the weekend warriors by bringing their amazing Alabama-style barbeque to the Rocky Mountains. Located in Lionshead Village in Vail, Moe’s offers authentic Alabama pulled pork, smoked turkey and sweet potato casserole.
3. Sachi Sushi in Whistler, BC, Canada has been named best sushi in Whistler in the past and that is saying a lot in sushi-obsessed BC! From BBQ eel to yam tempura, Sachi Sushi delivers some exciting flavors.
4. The Bag & Kettle at Sugarloaf, ME won the award for Skiing Magazine’s Best Burger of 2008/09 with their much-loved Bag Burger — don’t miss it! But once you’ve tried the Bag, they’ve got a lot more to offer, especially with their soups and pizzas and their great selection of quality beers.
Bag & Kettle’s Bag Burger
5. The Two Elk Restaurant in Vail, CO is known for its huge menu (including vegan options) large buffet, and great chili. Perhaps the best way to see just how good they are is to sample their unparalleled Chili Cheese Fries while taking in the stunning views of China Basin: wow!
Two Elks Restaurant
6. Fresh Tracks Cafe at Whitewater, BC, Canada offers great burgers, breakfasts and curries.
7. The Manzanita at the Ritz-Carlton in Truckee, CA offers French Californian delights right next door to Northstar-at-Tahoe. When you are ready to splurge on a meal as refined as anything you would find in foodie mecca of San Francisco, come to the Manzanita. Award-winning chef Traci des Jardins has opened her newest restaurant in Lake Tahoe and has been dazzling the area with her fine food and amazing ambience. Try the Farmer’s Market Prix Fixe menu to taste the freshest flavors of Northern California.
8. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich in your pocket, anywhere. It’s always Peanut Butter Jelly Time if you come prepared! Just stop at the grocery store or corner shop on your way to the lodge and stock up on the basics to keep you going all day long!
I second the Bag & Kettle burgers – all of them. While the names might initially throw a picky eater off (each burger is named off high end accessory companies), just read what each burger has an you’ll be hooked. So good! And the selection of beers is pretty cool too. They have some you can only get there, and even a non-beer drinker like me likes them! Can’t wait to eat there again in mid-December!