skiing in the US - what is the food like up the mountain and in resorts?

[Mummyinthedark]

DH and I have debated doing a ski holiday in the US a few times. Some aspects of it sound great but I am a bit about what not having the Alpine atmosphere and food you get in Europe.

I want to stop for mulled wine, French onion soup and tartiflette type things, and am worried it'll all be middle of the road American food in the US which would be a let-down as far as I am concerned.

Any experiences of great food in US resorts? And what's the atmosphere like in reorts?

Sorry, ignore "what" - just about not having!

We've skiied at Heavenley, South Lake Tahoe. The food on the mountain is canteen type food, pizza, burgers etc. It's not like Europe where you ski in and out of a village with bars and restaurants. The ski areas tend to be separate from the towns and any restaurants are set up to feed skiiers during the day. Then everyone comes off the mountain for the evening.

In town the food will be typical US fare. Good bars and a mix of restaurants from fast food and burgers through to very nice restaurants. We ate in some great places in South Lake Tahoe. We also had a trad family run diner next to our hotel so it was pancakes for breakfast

Of course the big difference over skiing in Europe is that everyone is polite and they all queue nicely for the lifts instead of pushing in rudely like Europeans do...

Would you go again nocake?

Mountain food in the USA was a bit of a disappointment but in my opinion there was plenty to balance this out: quieter resorts with fewer or no queues, reliably fantastic snow, well groomed and well policed slopes, fabulous ski schools and teachers especially for the kids, some really challenging skiing, great board parks, clear signposting.

It's America, with all that's good and bad about that.

I'd disagree about the food. You can get whatever you like - but it'll come at a price.

The resort I was in had pizza, burgers, sandwiches, posh burgers, and a gourmet restaurant where I had filet mignon. Expect a range. Plus, if you are in an apartment, you can cook your own or order in.

There isn't really the mulled wine atmostphere that I could see.

No, no mulled wine and tartiflette. Depends where you are really but we found a range of places, but all American food, burgers, thick pizzas, but also good salads and sandwiches. It was very, very difficult for the gluten I tolerant person with us though as it is all very bread/wheat heavy.

Oh, can thoroughly recommend Jackson Hole and Telluride. Amazing skiing and resorts. Jackson Hole is easier to get to though.

No mulled wine but hot cider is yummy!! With whipped cream and a big 'ol cinnamon stick to stir...

Once my dad discovered skiing in the US about 20 years ago, he never returned to the Alps! Ok, we live in South America so its about the same distance to both areas, but just for quality of snow its worth it! Plus you get to go outlet shopping...

ONe thing I was pleased about as that the food prices up the mountain were the same as at the bottom, because the whole thing was owned by the resort. Also big dining restaurants often had a 'self-catered' seating area (so you could take a pic-nic).
The food was not 'alpine village' but there was plenty of cheese and meat and pasta and potatoes, and some great north american wines.

The skiing, and the fact the service is good, more than compensates, to be honest.

Would recommend skiing in north America, it's quite different but a great fun trip. Granted you don't get tartiflette and usual French fair, but a good change. We've done both Canada and the US, and the most genius thing they serve up the mountain is a hot bowl of chilli but the bowl is made from bread, don't think there's anything better to warm the cockles...... In resort we had many "pierrade" type evenings grilling your meat on hot stones (Canada was better for this) but then amazing food in places like Jackson Hole where you can eat buffalo, or elk, which makes a change from the slightly "samey" food you get in the Alps. They also do a lot of more themed restaurants by which I mean Thai, Vietnamese, or even sushi restaurants.

Banff was lovely for a more villagey feel, although the skiing is not ski in ski out, but the transport links are brilliant and the same goes for Jackson hole. Whistler was really fun, but much much more modern feel. Everywhere we went had great atmosphere, hot tubs, and delicious hot ciders etc.... Go for it!

Thanks everyone, just came back and saw these helpful and enthusiastic posts, good to hear some of you love it, will keep mulling it over...meanwhile off to Courchevel on 21st, so not long to wait for this year's trip!

what's not to like about this?

and this?

ok, i'm biased.

yeah, you can have more burgers and pizza than you can deal with, but alberta AAA beef is always on the menu, and banff and canmore have a wide variety of woo eateries for the alfafa munching. and most of the cafes and restaurants have gluten free as standard (even the pizza - the rocky mountain flatbread co is delish, honest!) we have two thai restaurants, i've lost count of how many japanese (banff is largely owned by japanese), chinese, italian, a new orleans french quarter cafe, and a british couple run curry nights in the local pub. what's not to like? and that's ignoring the fine dining options, of which there are hundreds but i can't afford them plenty.

just got to persuade dh to get that hot tub on the deck, and we're cookin'.

try canada. much more multicultural.

largely though, don't do it if you ever intend to ski in europe again. it'll ruin it for you.

Anyone been to Vail? DH has been blethering about it. Any first person experience?