10 Unforgettable Ski-Resort Dining Experiences

If you’re spending a day on the slopes, dining can become a purely functional affair: gobble a burger and get back to the powder as fast as you can. But sometimes it’s worth lingering a little longer over a meal, as more ski resorts are offering unique dining experiences for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While there are plenty of gourmet restaurants slopeside, these North American ski resorts offer creative twists on dining, which range from sleigh rides to remote cabins or skiing with the chef before dinner. The best part is, once you’ve devoured that last crumb, you’re only steps away from getting back on your skis. —Christina Valhouli

What: Ledgewood Yurt Dinner Excursion

WHERE: Killington, Vermont

Kick off the evening with a spiked mulled cider cocktail at Vermont Fresh Café in Killington’s Snowshed Lodge, before boarding a sleigh pulled by a snowcat for the 15- to 20-minute journey to reach Ledgewood Yurt. Once inside, guests can tuck into a five-course meal that can include American sturgeon with truffled spoonbread, Vermont cheeses, and bison rib eye. Save room for molten mocha lava cake.

Insider Tip: Try the Yurt’s Vermont Maple Shake, a twist on the White Russian, which includes Vermont Spirits vodka and maple liquor shaken with cold Vermont milk, served with a smoked sugar rim.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Central Vermont Travel Guide

What: Sleigh Ride to Dinner

WHERE: Sun Valley, Idaho

Climb inside a horse-drawn sleigh to reach Sun Valley’s Trail Creek Cabin, which was originally built in 1937. At this converted log cabin, diners can tuck into roasted Snake River New York Striploin with king trumpet mushrooms or Cedar Planked Idaho Ruby Trout, while enjoying views of Bald Mountain.

Insider Tip: Feeling chilly? Order a “winter warm up” at Trail Creek Cabin, such as a Hot Toddy or a Peppermint Smuggler, to bring back on the sleigh for the return journey.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Sun Valley Travel Guide

What: Canadian Yukon Breakfast Snowmobile Tour

WHERE: Whistler, British Columbia

Wake up feeling famished? Sign up for Canadian Wilderness Adventures’ morning snowmobile tour through the backcountry of Callaghan Valley (just south of Whistler-Blackcomb) to a cabin on Sproatt Mountain for a full Canadian Yukon breakfast. Canadian back bacon, Yukon gold potatoes, and scrambled eggs are cooked up on a wood stove, along with pancakes drizzled with maple syrup.

Insider Tip: After the snowmobile adventure, warm up at Scandinave Spa with a Nordic-inspired hydrotherapy bath.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s British Columbia Travel Guide

What: Dining at The Yurt

WHERE: Solitude, Utah

Layer on warm clothes, strap on a pair of snowshoes, and follow your guide through the lantern-lit woods of Solitude to dine a Mongolian-style Yurt. The Yurt holds a maximum of 24 people, seated family-style. A chef prepares a five-course meal that can include lobster and asparagus crepes or braised lamb shanks. At the end of the night, burn off the calories from the meal on the trek back.

Insider Tip: Guests can bring their own wine (transported by staff members to The Yurt), so be sure to stock up before heading out.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Park City and Southern Wasatch

What: Ski-in to a Historic Restaurant

WHERE: Avon, Colorado

For a hearty lunch with a dose of history, ski-in to Beaver Creek’s SaddleRidge restaurant. It’s packed with one of the largest private collections of U.S. western artifacts, including Buffalo Bill’s traveling desk, General Custer’s canteen and one of his hats. The menu features elk and buffalo chili, grilled venison tacos, and Mexican hot chocolate. Guests can either ski-out on the way back or take a ride on a snowmobile Sherpa.

Insider Tip: Every day at 3 pm, Beaver Creek serves up free, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. More than 500,000 are served annually.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Vail Valley Travel Guide

What: Mountain-Top Heli-Dining

WHERE: Whistler, British Columbia

Guests of the Four Seasons Resort Whistler can take dining to new heights by boarding a helicopter to reach the top of a glacier, where the Four Seasons culinary team will prepare a custom meal. Menu items can include a raw bar with oysters, crab claws, and octopus; a selection of artisan cheeses; and salad on a stick.

Insider Tip: Whistler is also a top fly-fishing destination, and local favorite spots include 19 Mile Creek outlet and the Green River outlet at the end of Green Lake.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Whistler Travel Guide

What: Tram Ride to Corbet’s Cabin

WHERE: Teton Village, Wyoming

If you need a sugar rush in the middle of the day, hop on Jackson Hole’s aerial tram, which rises more than 4,100 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain to reach Corbet’s Cabin. The cabin serves “top of the world waffles,” which are made-to-order with toppings such as brown sugar butter and Nutella, as well as a peanut butter/bacon combo. Hot and cold drinks, beer, and snow cones are also available.

Insider Tip: Don’t miss the National Museum of Wildlife Art, showcasing more than 5,000 artworks representing wild animals from around the world.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Jackson Hole and Northwest Wyoming Travel Guide

What: Moonlight Dinner Series

WHERE: Keystone, Colorado

Arapahoe Basin moonlight dinners take place once a month on the Saturday closest to the full moon. Guests can hike or skin up the mountain to reach Black Mountain Lodge—or take a ski lift if their legs are too sore. The chef prepares a menu based on various regions, such as Bavaria, India, or the Pyrenees. The menu is always changing but might feature grilled German sausages with sauerkraut and stone ground mustard, kale salad with shaved radish and apples, and Black Forest Cheesecake.

Insider Tip: For a few evenings—usually the first and last dinner in the series—the ski lift doesn’t run, so the lodge is only accessible for people who want to hike, snowshoe, or skin up the mountain (and down).

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Summit County Travel Guide

WHERE: Snowmass Village, Colorado

What: Ski with the Chef

Guests staying at the Viceroy Snowmass can get to know their chef in a whole new way, by hitting the slopes with Executive Chef Will Nolan, who does double duty as guide. After you hit the slopes, join him in the kitchen for a cooking class to learn how to prepare the perfect après ski dishes, while sipping on cocktails and beer. Guests can personalize the experience by selecting which food and beverages they prefer.

Insider Tip: For a fun night apres-ski, head to Slopeside Lanes for bowling, beers, and fried pickles.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley Travel Guide

What: Wildlife Snowshoe Adventure

WHERE: Teton Village, Wyoming

Couples staying at the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa can sign up for a guided wildlife snowshoe adventure to a private Tipi for two. After trekking through Cottonwood forest to Snake River, couples reach a warm Tipi where they can watch the sun set, tuck into hot chocolate and s’mores, or pour a glass of champagne.

Insider Tip: While you’re in the area, take lessons from a ski pro. In 1971, Bill Briggs became the first person to ski down the 13,770-foot Grand Teton. He is currently the ski school director at the Snow King Ski Area.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Jackson Hole and Northwest Wyoming Travel Guide