Winter is the perfect season for skiing and snowboarding, but it's also a time to indulge in some of the tastiest hot comfort food dishes. After a long day on the slopes, there's nothing quite like sitting down to delicious après ski food and drink with friends and family. As an avid skier and foodie, I've had the opportunity to sample some of the best après ski food dishes across the country.
From hearty chili to tasty wings, in this blog post, I'll be sharing my top recommendations for the best après ski dishes from this season that are sure to warm you up and satisfy your hunger cravings. So, whether you're a seasoned skier or just looking for an excuse to get out on the slopes, get ready to tantalize your taste buds with these mouth-watering dishes!
Après Ski Food That Will Tantalize Your Taste Buds
Elk Chili - Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort is renowned for its exceptional cuisine, which emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. One dish that has been a long-time favorite on their menu is their famous turkey chili. However, for those who wish to try something new or mix things up a bit, the resort also offers an equally delicious alternative in the form of their elk chili.
This flavorful stew combines chunks of tender elk meat with an array of chili peppers, beans, and spices for a rich, satisfying taste that is sure to delight your palate. The elk meat used in the chili is celebrated for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and its unique flavor profile that stands out even among the resort's popular turkey chili.
Whether you are a meat lover or simply appreciate a well-crafted bowl of chili, Deer Valley's elk chili is well worth trying. The resort takes great care in sourcing and preparing its dishes with quality ingredients, and its elk chili is no exception. With its hearty, spicy flavor and tender meat, it is a dish that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning of palates.
Barbacoa Nachos - Dos Olas Park City, Utah
This winter I had a few nacho platters worth mentioning including the man-hole-sized nachos from the Foggy Goggle Bar at Seven Spring Resort and the Mountain Nachos topped with chicken from the Clearing Rock Bar at Mt. Bachelor. Both were excellent but my favorite by far was the Barbacoa Nachos at Dos Olas in Park City, Utah.
Dos Olas is a relatively new addition to Park City's dining scene, offering an upscale and authentic take on traditional Mexican cuisine. One standout dish that has garnered much praise is their popular barbacoa nachos. These mouthwatering nachos are crafted by layering crispy homemade tortilla chips with a generous helping of seasoned black beans, fresh guacamole, and a blend of Oaxacan and asadero cheese. Diced pico de gallo, crispy fried onions, and spicy jalapeños provide additional layers of flavor and texture.
But what makes these nachos truly stand out is the choice of meat. Patrons have the option to add tender pulled chicken or succulent carnitas, but the menu's star attraction is undeniably the barbacoa. Slow-cooked to perfection, this tender and flavorful meat is the perfect complement to the spices and seasonings in the other ingredients. It's no wonder that it's the go-to choice for many diners including my family.
Buffalo Wings - Goosefeathers Pub, Mount Sunapee
If I had to pick a 1A to Nachos 1, an equally popular après ski food is, of course, Buffalo Wings. In fact, they are often my go-to lunch choice when taking a break from skiing no matter what resort I am at. I have had some really good variations of wings over the years including the Maple Buffalo Wings at Snow Republic Brewery and Smoked Chicken Wings at High West Distillery. However, you will be hard-pressed to find a better rendition than the ones at Goosefeathers Pub at Mount Sunapee.
At Goosefeathers Pub at Mount Sunapee, their chicken wings are a standout dish worth trying. I'm not typically impressed or even a fan of unsauced wings, however, that was certainly not the case here. These wings are dusted with a special seasoning that is nothing short of magical, providing a perfect foundation for the tangy and spicy buffalo sauce and rich blue cheese that is served on the side.
The wings themselves are cooked to perfection, perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. But it's the unique seasoning that sets them apart and makes them a must-try for anyone visiting the pub. While the exact recipe for the seasoning remains a mystery, it provides the perfect balance of flavors that enhances the buffalo sauce and blue cheese even further.
Sidewinder Fries - Goosefeathers Pub, Mount Sunapee
Placing two items from the same restaurant on my list of top après ski food dishes for the season is not something that I often do. However, when they are as good as the Buffalo Wings and Sidewinder Fries from Goosefeathers Pub at Mount Sunapee, I just could not resist.
The Sidewinder Fries at Goosefeathers Pub at Mount Sunapee are a truly special and unique dish that stands out among traditional pub fare. These fries are unlike any other I have tasted before. The process of making them is shrouded in mystery, with those in the know refusing to share the secret that makes them so spectacular.
Sidewinder fries are a playful and whimsical take on the classic French fry. They are made by cutting potatoes into a distinctive corkscrew shape that closely resembles the pattern of a sidewinder snake's skin. These fries are deep-fried until they achieve a crispy and golden brown exterior, creating the perfect combination of textures - the pillowy and creamy interior of a potato croquette melding perfectly with the satisfyingly crunchy exterior of a French fry.
While the secret to what makes these fries so special may remain a mystery, there is no mistaking their unique and delicious taste making them well worth ordering.
Gateway Waffle - Top of the World Waffles Corbet's Cabin, Jackson Hole
Photo Credit: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Instagram
The latest trend at ski resorts are Waffle Cabins, and it's not difficult to see why. With their crispy Belgian waffles filled with chunks of pearl sugar and drizzled with chocolate, they're a mouth-watering treat. However, Waffles on Top of the World at Corbet's Cabin sets itself apart from the rest by offering an elevated version of this classic delicacy. Located at the top of Jackson Hole's famous tram, this waffle cabin is situated at an impressive 10,450 feet above sea level, making it the highest waffle cabin in the world. So, when I say "elevated," it is meant to be taken quite literally.
Before sending it into Corbet's Couloir, I highly recommend indulging in a hearty carb-filled breakfast known as the Gateway Waffle. One of the signature dishes at Corbet's Cabin, the full-sized Belgian waffle, is freshly made and generously layered with creamy peanut butter, crispy bacon and folded into a mouth-watering sandwich.
As you take the warm bite, you will experience the perfect blend of soft and crunchy textures of the silky peanut butter and the savory bacon. This decadent and satisfying meal will fuel you up and prepare you for the thrilling adventure ahead.
Loaded Tots - Barley Creek Brewing, Tannersville, Pa.
Loaded tater tots have become a popular dish that can be found in many ski resort restaurants across the US. Many people enjoy these tots as a fun appetizer to pair with a beer or three while hanging with friends apres ski.
Typically, Loaded Tots are made by taking crispy tater tots and smothering them with a variety of toppings such as cheese, bacon, sour cream, green onions and maybe even chili or pulled pork. However, Barley Creek Brewing in Tannersville, Pennsylvania are frying up a version of this delectable dish that sets them apart from the masses.
Barley Creek Brewing takes its tater tots to a whole new level by incorporating the toppings directly into the tot itself. Each loaded tot is made in-house and comes stuffed with delicious bacon and cheddar cheese. To really kick things up a notch, the tots are served alongside a side of chipotle ranch dip. Not only are these bad boys larger than your average tot, but they are also incredibly yummy and sure to satisfy any craving for a hearty and flavorful snack.
Maple Fried Chicken Sando - 10 Barrel Brewing West Side Pub, Bend, Oregon
Chicken sandwiches are another dish that appears to be on the rise these days. Over the course of the winter, I have had some really, really good ones including the life-altering Mac Sally, a maple buttermilk fried chicken sandwich topped with blue cheese macaroni salad from Snow Republic Brewing.
One other example that truly stands out is the Maple Fried Chicken Sando from the 10 Barrel Brewing West Side Pub. 10 Barrel's OG location is a must-stop for apres ski when in Bend and when you do, definitely order up this monster -- and I do mean monster sando.
The fried chicken in this dish is absolutely massive, easily one of the biggest and thickest pieces I have ever seen. I'm not sure where they sourced the chickens for this incredible sandwich, but it's clear that they spared no expense. Each chicken breast is expertly battered and fried to crispy, golden perfection before being smothered in a delicious maple dijon sauce that's just the right amount of sweet and savory.
The chicken is then lovingly nestled atop a soft, fluffy bun and served on a bed of zesty dill horseradish slaw that perfectly balances out the richness of the chicken. The explosion of flavors in every bite is truly a culinary experience to savor, and anyone who loves fried chicken sandwiches simply has to try this one.
Truffle Marrow Burger - The Row at Tetherow Resort
If you're a ski enthusiast, then you know that few things taste as satisfying after a long day on the slopes as a juicy burger. Whether you're craving a classic cheeseburger or a more adventurous option topped with gourmet ingredients, there's nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a delicious burger and unwinding with friends and family around a warm fire. That's why burgers and apres ski go hand in hand, and why so many ski lodges and restaurants offer mouth-watering burger options to their guests.
One absolute standout from this ski season was the Bone Marrow Burger that I thoroughly enjoyed when dining at The Row. With its mix of mouth-watering flavors and textures. The patty itself is perfectly juicy and bursting with flavor, and it's topped with bone marrow butter that simply melts in your mouth.
To add some extra zing, fresh horseradish and IPAioli are included, alongside sweet caramelized onions, savory white cheddar, and crispy prosciutto that adds just the right amount of crunch. The burger is served on a pillowy brioche bun that complements the richness of the flavors, and a generous portion of fries is included as a tasty side.
This burger is definitely a must-try for anyone who visits The Row and is sure to leave a lasting impression on all those lucky enough to indulge in it.
Pizza - Valley Craft Ales, Wilmington, Vt
Photo Credit: Valley Craft Ales Instagram
Those of you who know me, know that I'm a bit of a pizza snob. Growing up in NJ and having spent six years in college and grad school in Staten Island, my pizza palate is rather mature. Therefore, I don't often order pizza outside of the tri-state area. However, a guy from the renowned pizza state of Connecticut opens a brewery and pizza joint in the heart of Wilmington, Vt. I had to give it a try.
Needless to say that since it made this list, it did not disappoint.
Being from Connecticut, Valley Craft makes a style of pizza known as Apizza. Apizza, also known as New Haven-style pizza, is a type of thin-crust, coal-fired Neapolitan pizza that originated in New Haven, Connecticut. It is characterized by its crispy crust and chewy texture, which results from being cooked in extremely hot ovens for a short period of time.
No matter what type of pizza you order from Valley Craft they are all true to this style and very, very good. In fact, I'd go as far as to say this it is some of the best pizza that I have had in a while and I will definitely be back for more.
The Best Après-Ski Clothes for Foodies
When it comes to gorging yourself on the best après-ski food around the country you are going to want to wear comfortable clothes. Our Après Ski Team Hoodie is the way to go. Loose fitting and soft it will keep you feeling comfy when you go from one menu item to the next.
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