The Europeans do it right, a leisurely lunch with a panoramic view of the slopes
you’ve skied. Whether its wine and gourmet cheese, Swiss fondue, or a juicy
cheeseburger in paradise, these on mountain restaurants offer sit down service
and delicious alpine fare. Skiing burns 500 calories an hour; so relax and
indulge in these best on mountain ski resort restaurants.
The Cliff House at Stowe, Vermont
Ride the Gondola to the top of Mt Mansfield, and enter this full-service
mountaintop restaurant, open for lunch and evenings when
Stowe offers night skiing. The Austrian chalet
décor pairs nicely with the Vermont artisan dishes.
The
Round House at Sun Valley, Idaho
Ski in to the mid-mountain Round House as the first Sun Valley skiers did back
in 1939. Dine on Austrian fare of fondue by the fire, while an
accordion player entertains with classic mountain ski songs. This is a
Sun Valley must, now with its own Gondola.
Couloir at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Ride the Bridger gondola from the base to 9,095 and dine at Couloir -
floor to ceiling windows frame the spectacular Wyoming scenery and the snowy
slopes that surround you. Sit down service of bison burger or a gooey Brie
sandwich will have you wanting to remove your ski boots and stay all afternoon,
but the venerable Tram to Jackson Hole's
summit is staring at you, tempting you to Rendezvous Bowl.
Epic at Okemo, Vermont
Epic sounds like accolades from a recent snow storm, but its an epicurean
hideaway at the base of the Solitude quad lift. Enjoy chef creations of lamb
sausage, calamari, and duck with no cafeteria trays. Okemo has upped the ski
resort standard for food all over the mountain. The Coleman Brook at
Jackson
Gore Inn is another full service Tavern where you can snuggle into a high back
chair for an organic Vermont burger with native Cheddar and a pinot from their
Wine Spectator award list.
Collin's Grill at Watson’s Shelter, Alta, Utah
This earthy skiers’ only mountain has a surprisingly elegant mid-mountain
restaurant with linen table cloths and creative courses, concluding with the
Heart of Darkness Chocolate dessert. A great view of the
slopes and skiers passing by on the Collins quad will keep you connected with
your Alta ego.
The Cabin, The Canyons, Utah
Lookout Cabin is a cozy mountaintop chalet at The
Canyons vast resort, with table service and a diverse menu for hungry
downhillers. The chefs’ prepare your sashimi tuna or mountain man chili in an open
kitchen but the stunning view of the Wasatch Mountains is the real attention
grabber.
Alpenglow Stube at Keystone
Atop Keystone’s River Run Gondola, trade in your ski boots for soft slippers as
you are greeted and waited on by Bavarian costumed waiters. Dining at 11,444’on
fondues, soups, game, and pastries is extraordinary at this elevation.
Willow Creek at The Ritz Carlton Aspen Highland, Colorado
Ski to the slopeside Village at Aspen Highland and enter the Ritz Carlton Club
for lunch, and a break from Deep Temerity’s steeps. The Willow Creek has a nice
menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and of course, ritzy service.
Royal Street Café at Deer Valley, Utah
Located upstairs in Deer Valley’s mid-mountain
Silver Lake Lodge is this full-service culinary café. The Chipotle BBQ Burger is
to die for, much like Deer Valley on a powder day.
Gunbarrel at Heavenly, California
The Gunbarrel has location, location, location at the top of the Heavenly Tram.
The fare and friendly service are a bonus, but its all about the
Heavenly views of Lake Tahoe.
Timbers at Sugarbush
This Round barn restaurant at the newly redesigned Lincoln Peak Village is very
upscale for downhillers. Vermont micro-brews and organic local foods are served
in creative fashion, the service is very good, and the views of
Sugarbush’s
slopes are too.
Schwendi Hutte at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
This rustic chalet at 4,000’ is a Waterville Valley lunch must. They serve beer
and wine, fresh soups like Lobster Bisque with sherry and cheese fondue. You
might think, just for a moment, that you are in St Moritz, not
New Hampshire.
The Bag at Sugarloaf, Maine
While the Bag is nothing fancy, their big juicy burgers are phenomenal. The
thick creamy cheeseburger soup is also heart warming on those wicked cold Loaf
days. You have to say you’ve been in The Bag, like
Sugarloaf - it’s an
institution.
Top of Quad, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
With a spectacular view of Mount Washington, the TOQ at the summit of
Bretton Woods’ Quad
offers the best view in the
Northeast with a side of chowder, burgers or beef stew - and of course wine and
beer to toast your good fortune.
The
Round House at Sun Valley, Idaho
