Blog post updated on August 29, 2024
The COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020, upending countless aspects of our daily lives. Among the industries significantly impacted was our cherished world of skiing and snowboarding. As travel restrictions and health concerns curtailed leisure activities, the ski and snowboard industry faced unprecedented challenges. This disruption had far-reaching consequences, extending to the interconnected food and beverage sector, which relies heavily on tourism and hospitality.
Combined, those two industries make up a huge and important component of a good ski vacation. Despite the initial struggles within the ski industry at that time, there was some good that came out of the chaos. It forced those within the industry to pivot in order to survive. One such location that we originally highlighted in the winter of 2020-21 is Stowe Mountain Resort. There, the Lodge at Spruce Peak unveiled new restaurants that have since climbed their way to the top of the list of best restaurants in Stowe, Vermont.
Spruce Peak Lodge Offers Some of the Best Restaurants in Stowe, Vermont
As the pandemic forced a sudden closure in the spring of 2020, the vibrant culinary scene in Stowe, Vermont, faced a period of uncertainty. Yet, adversity often breeds innovation. Both established and newer restaurants in the town responded creatively to the challenges, adapting their offerings and finding new ways to engage with their patrons. The Lodge at Spruce Peak, nestled within the picturesque Stowe Mountain Resort, was no stranger to this spirit of resilience.
The following winters of 2020-21 and 2021-22, new Spruce Peak Lodge restaurants opened that included the heated WhistlePig Pavilion, the Tipsy Trout and Alpine Hall. These new Stowe Mountain Resort restaurants provide guests with a diverse set of options that have certainly elevated their après ski to new heights.
WhistlePig Pavilion: Authentic Après at Stowe Mountain Resort
During the winter of 2020-21, the Lodge at Spruce Peak announced an all new après-experience at the WhistlePig Pavilion. Just the idea of the WhistlePig Pavilion sounds spectacular.
You really can't go wrong with a heated outdoor bar area named after a great whiskey brand, right?
WhistlePig makes some excellent whiskeys and this Spruce Peak Lodge restaurant mixes up all their drinks with the local WhistlePig rye whiskey. Whether served neat or mixed up in a creative cocktail, the menu at WhistlePig Pavilion will certainly warm you up after a day of Stowe Vermont skiing.
If you thought that was enough, you were wrong. The WhistlePig Pavilion is serving up more than just great whiskey.
What could be better than whiskey after a day on the slopes?
Fire-baked raclette cheese and smoky BBQ, of course. I can't think of anything more après-ski appropriate than an Old Fashioned paired with ooey, gooey raclette and a slab of ribs.
They even have raclette nachos! Talk about taking it to the next level.
Restaurants in Stowe Vermont: From Sea to the Mountains
In December 2021 The Lodge at Spruce Peak added two new restaurants in Stowe, Vt. The Tipsy Trout is a coastal inspired, cocktail forward Sprue Peak restaurant that brings the sea right to the base of Mt. Mansfield.
The unique combines the region's best seafood with culinary techniques that are uniquely Vermont. An extensive raw bar highlights a menu that also includes shareable apps and delectable seafood entrees.
The Tipsy Trout also has a dedicated wine program as well as creative cocktail menu created by their own expert mixologists.
How else will the Trout get tipsy? Duh.
Alpine Hall: Elevated Farm to Table
While the trout get a little tipsy, you can also experience all the is Vermont mountain culture at the Alpine Hall. The simple, yet elevated menu is a true farm-to-table experience that is designed to celebrate the idea of community. The area's local growers are highlighted in their menu while the bar and tables were even made by local artisans.
Nothing says community like après ski and this Stowe Mountain Resort restaurant is made for meeting. Gather in the Alpine Hall with friends and family after a day on the mountain. There you can share stories over local IPAs and replenish your stores hearty comfort food and good times.
Let Us Know What You Think of The Lodge at Spruce Peak Restaurants
Have you tried out any of the Stowe Mountain Resort restaurants at the Lodge at Spruce Peak? If so, let us know what you think in the comments section below.
My wife and I plan on visiting again really soon and enjoying some if not all of of these new dining options. When we do, I know she'll be wearing her new All About Après Microfleece along with her Après All Day Beanie. Soft, comfortable and so stylish, they are the perfect combination for transitioning right from the mountain to après-ski at Stowe.
If you enjoy finding out about the best places to hang out on your next ski trip, then our Après Ski Blog is for you. Sign up today and never miss another post. You won't be disappointed.
