So you’d rather slurp than slalom. You can get as much enjoyment out of visiting ski towns as your slope-starved friends; just forget their pistes and follow those laid out by SKI Magazine to the best places for top-notch cuisine. While your travel companions shred the gnar (we don’t get it either), you’ll be savoring fantastic meals in idyllic settings. Now that’s a sweet ski weekend.
1. Aspen, Colorado
Aspen tops the list for food-related rankings, and it's not surprising. On the downtown scene, you'll find an endless range of restaurant atmospheres, from posh to cozy, and anything from Latin to French Provincial to Pan Asian influences.
IgoUgo’s Aspen restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Aspen/Snowmass
2. Deer Valley, Utah
For fine dining at Deer Valley, you don’t have to go far. Fireside Dining at the Empire Canyon Lodge serves classic Alps-inspired four-course meals from stone fireplaces, with views to match. The Mariposa offers hearty main courses with vegetarian options and decadent desserts. The Seafood Buffet uses sustainable seafood to create some of the best seafood dishes in the country. And if these choices aren’t enough, there’s still Park City’s abundant fare to explore.
IgoUgo’s Deer Valley restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Deer Valley Resort
3. Tremblant, Quebec
If you can’t quite make it across the pond to France, then visit Tremblant and you might not even notice the difference. Try La Savoie for fondue, Aux Truffes for game and truffles, and l’Avalanche for creative French cuisine. You’ll also find Japanese, Italian, and New Orleans-inspired grills and restaurants.
IgoUgo’s Tremblant restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Mont Tremblant Ski Resort
4. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Choose from 17 restaurants at the mountain alone—at either on-mountain lodges or at the base. You can also venture down to the town, where you’ll find a melting pot of flavors. Monk’s Grill, Araxi Restaurant & Lounge, Dubh Linn Gate, and the Whistler Brewhouse are good places to start.
IgoUgo’s Whistler restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Monk’s Grill
5. Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley has a wealth of restaurants, both fine dining for a romantic date and casual family-friendly hotspots. To play it fancy, visit the Lodge Dining Room. For a hearty prime rib, go to the Pioneer Saloon. Look no further than Il Naso for an urban Italian experience. To spend quality time with your family overlooking the ice rink, head to Gretchen’s.
IgoUgo’s Sun Valley restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Resort
6. Vail, Colorado
Reward your powder-stuffed, food-starved body at one of Vail’s several on-mountain restaurants, including the Blue Moon and Vail’s signature Game Creek Restaurant, accessible by snowcats. For a night in town, check out Sweet Basil, Campo di Fiori, or La Tour.
IgoUgo’s Vail restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Sweet Basil
7. Park City, Utah
Park City’s Main Street is lined with dozens of unique restaurants, so even the picky eater will find something here. You’ll find eclectic Southwestern fare, and like most classic ski towns, there are plenty of French restaurants (maybe even more than most). Blind Dog is the place to go if you’re in search of casual yet delicious grub.
IgoUgo’s Park City restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Park City Mountain Resort
8. Beaver Creek, Colorado
What better way to experience the epitome of mountain resort dining than to eat a five-course meal at a mountaintop cabin, accessible by snowcat-drawn sleigh? Beaver Creek’s Beano’s Cabin offers just this. Or grab some Mexican food in the Village. Didn’t have the best day on the slopes? Let it fade into the background while you down some sushi at Beaver Creek’s newest hotspot, the Foxnut, where the lime-green and magenta décor alone is enough to transport you to a whole new world.
IgoUgo’s Beaver Creek restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Beaver Creek Resort
9. Telluride, Colorado
True to Telluride’s down-to-earth, environmentally-conscious vibe, restaurants like Honga’s Lotus Petal (Asian/sushi) and La Cocina de Luz (Mexican) use all-organic and natural ingredients to create their dishes. Locals and visitors alike tout the New Sheridan Chop House and Rustico Ristorante for their hearty food and inviting atmospheres, both located on the main street. Check out the pub grub in the Mountain Village above town for casual fare.
IgoUgo’s Telluride restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Doug Berry/Telluride Ski Resort
10. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe’s dining scene is a New England vision, with restaurants located in cozy historic homes and fanciful inns, complemented by picturesque views of Mt. Mansfield, Stowe’s prominent mountain. Try the Whip Bar & Grill, located in the Green Mountain Inn, or the Blue Moon Café. The Swisspot (in the center of town) and the Cliff House Restaurant (atop Mt. Mansfield) are also worth checking out.
IgoUgo’s Stowe restaurant recommendations
Photo courtesy of Stowe Mountain Resort
Don’t miss more ski-vacation ideas for non-skiers; coming soon, SKI Magazine shares the top resorts for après-ski and off-hill activities. The magazine’s lists—and its gorgeous photos—will inspire even the most dedicated non-skier to give snow a chance.