Ski Town Cuisine That Will Make Your Mouth Water

End your day with a good meal, and good view, at the Sunset Spot lodge at Winter Park Resort. Sunset Spot image. 

4pm is right around the corner and you’ve been on the slopes since first chair, making turn after turn, lap after lap. You’ve had lunch and snacked along the way, fueling your adventure. Now, as you wrap up a day on the hill, your mind turns towards your plans for the night and the eventual hunger that will consume you. With the day you just put in it’s bound to happen. But you – clever you – you’re simply patting yourself on the back and smiling. You’ve done your research and are well aware of the restaurants (and chefs) creating delectable, memorable experiences across the entire Ikon Pass.

For example, take The Mariposa, Located in Deer Valley, Utah. Pairing elegance and culinary sophistication in a comfortable lodge aesthetic, The Mariposa offers New American fare curated from a list of esteemed purveyors, creating flavors and wine pairings that make every meal served a special occasion. Tim Carpenter, the Chef De Cuisine, boasts over 12 years of setting the stage, and tables, of these special occasions. Next to a crackling fire, settle in and kick things off with the Foie and Waffles which highlights LaBelle Farm’s foie gras and pairs it with flavors of mango and leek before smothering it with barrel-aged maple syrup. Not to be stopped there, follow it with the Seared Duck Breast: duck confit-cranberry bean ragout, heirloom carrots, charred frisee, all topped with a plum reduction. And then there’s always the Chefs coursed tasting menu and widely awarded wine cellar to consider. Either way, a meal at The Mariposa is an experience that you’ll be telling your friends about for years to come.

Find the best of New American at Mariposa. Mariposa image. 

Of course, Colorado is no slouch when it comes to serving up special scenes. Located at Winter Park, The Lodge at Sunspot builds anticipation with a short Gondola ride to the summit at 10,700 ft, making it the perfect setting for dinners dedicated to celebration. This is the elevation where you’ll find Executive Chef Abby Gallagher, plating Colorado classics like elk tournedos, buffalo ribeye, and Rocky Mountain rainbow trout, all served against panoramic views of the Continental Divide. A reservation to The Lodge at Sunspot comes with 360 degrees of sensory indulgence. Get ready, it’s not every day you get to celebrate on the summit.

Then there’s the possibility that you’re in Japan, enjoying everything that Niseko has to offer, which is – all things considered – a pretty long list. At the top of that list is a reservation to the acclaimed, Michelin Star restaurant, Asperges. Helmed by Hiroshi Nakamichi – a man who brings no less than 3 Michelin Star’s to his practice – Asperges is something to look forward to with anticipation. A Hokkaido twist on traditional French cuisine, Chef Nakamichi utilizes regional, Biei-cho sourced vegetables and meats to create set menus that transcend cultural borders. Set in a pristine, modern restaurant at the base of Hanazono, these dishes, this experience, these are yours to savor when the moment comes.

Biei-cho with a fine French twist. Asperges image. 

The Ikon Pass is packed with talented chefs and opportunities for world-class dining. Wherever you are, whatever destination you might be visiting now – or next – remember to make a reservation for an experience that you’ll never forget. Because when that last chair swings around, your night is just beginning.

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