Featured Imagery: Gabe Rovick
Eating and drinking at a ski resort isn’t just about food and bevvies, it’s about strategy. Use these basic guidelines to keep your wallet—and stomach—full.
The Four Do’s
Do: Make Friends with the Staff
Lifties, bartenders, cooks; they’re your tribe. Genuine conversation and a little charm can go a long way toward scoring extra fries, drink discounts or insider tips on the cheapest eats. Just keep it chill and remember these are your friends not your DoorDash drivers.
Do: Master the Happy Hour Hustle
Why pay full price at noon when you can swoop in during happy hour and feast like royalty? Wings, nachos, sliders—this is your time to shine. Scout out the best deals as you walk through the village on the way to lifts in the morning, then time your last run so you’re first in line when the specials drop in the afternoon.
Do: Ask About the Secret Menu
Most resorts have their hidden gems. Maybe it’s a combination of different menu items that the staff eats after a ski break. Befriend the bartenders and cashiers, they know the hacks and might let you in on their secrets if you ask nicely.
Do: Splurge on the Right Things
It’s okay to treat yourself, just be smart about it. Instead of wasting $12 on a sad slice of pizza, spring for an oversized bowl of ramen. Spending money on something filling is always better than regrettably chomping down on an overpriced knockoff version of Tombstone.
The Four Don’ts
Don’t: Get Fooled by “Gourmet” Marketing
That $18 bowl of “Signature Pasta au Gratin” might sound delicious with ingredients like truffle oil and aged gouda, but let’s be real, it’s still just mac ‘n cheese. Save your money for the occasional splurge on something that’s truly worth it. (Pro tip: “Signature” usually just means they need to sell more of it.)
Don’t: Go Big on Mid-Mountain Meals
Yes, that lodge halfway up the mountain has a great view, but it’s also where your bank account goes to die. The soup might be tolerable but if you’re dreaming of gourmet cuisine, you’ll be sorely disappointed. If you’re dying of hunger on a pow day, grab a cookie and keep ripping.
Don’t: Go Light at Après
Après-ski is a great time to replenish all the calories you burned during the day…and come on, it’s a vibe. This is where you mingle, swap stories of epic lines and soak up the glory of your (almost) stomped backy. Prioritize drinks and snacks that are piled high, like a deluxe Bloody Mary (bacon included) or a group-sized pyramid of nachos.
Don’t: Overlook Late-Day Deals
The best time to eat at a resort? Right before closing. Pastries, sandwiches and even salads oftentimes get slashed in price when they’re trying to clear out the kitchen. It’s kind of like dumpster diving, but with less shame and better lighting.
