As first flakes fall across the mountains and excitement builds for what many hope will be an exceptional Super El Niño snow season, Vail Resorts is giving guests more reason to savor their time on the slopes with new culinary and après experiences.
This winter, the world’s best ski resorts like Whistler Blackcomb, Vail Mountain, Park City Mountain and Breckenridge will introduce new, unique dining and après experiences that reflect the energy, culture and character of each resort.
Complementing these offerings, Vail Resorts is making its largest investment in food to date by elevating its most popular quick-service menu items – chili, burgers, pizza, fries, hot dogs, chicken strips, and mac and cheese – with higher-quality ingredients and refined presentation across 15 resorts.
These collective dining enhancements are part of Vail Resorts Epic Experience commitment to deliver the industry’s best and most differentiated guest experience in skiing and riding. Skiers and riders craving winter in the mountains should lock in an Epic Pass before prices increase after November 15.
“An exceptional guest experience isn’t about a single standout moment, it’s high-standard service delivered at every turn that makes the whole ski trip unforgettable,” said Greg Sullivan, Vail Resorts’ Executive Vice President of Retail-Rental, Hospitality and Food & Beverage. “Great food is a critical part of a memorable day on mountain with some of the best ski day moments happening around the table. We want our guests to know that when they choose to visit our resorts, they aren’t only getting world-class skiing, they are also gaining access to high-quality food, differentiated dining experiences and incredible après scenes to enjoy with friends and family.”
New Food Upgrades to Popular Menu Items Across 15 Ski Resorts
Vail Resorts is making its largest investment in food to date, enhancing the menu items that account for the majority of dining purchases across 15 regional and destination resorts. The ski-day classics guests order most often at iconic mountain lodges – chili, burgers, pizza, fries, hot dogs, chicken strips, and mac and cheese – will be prepared with higher-quality ingredients and enhanced recipes.
For instance, guests can enjoy the new Steakhouse Burger, a butcher’s blend burger with melted New School American Cheese, shredded lettuce and Summit Sauce on a butter toasted brioche bun, served with seasoned waffle fries and the option to add pecan-smoked bacon.
The food improvements this season will not come with higher prices beyond normal inflation, plus Epic Pass Holders receive 20% off dining. In addition to upgraded food offerings, the company is implementing new technology and operational enhancements designed to reduce wait times and increase seating capacity, helping guests spend less time in line and more time enjoying the mountain.
New Dining and Après Experiences Across the Mountains
This winter, guests will discover new ways to dine, gather and celebrate across the mountains. Here’s what’s new to eat and drink across Vail Resorts’ destinations this season:
- At Whistler Blackcomb (BC), guests can experience several new offerings inspired by the region’s renowned food and beverage culture. Guests can enjoy a new Caviar and Champagne service on the patio at Steeps, or sample flavors of the Sea-to-Sky region from its new menu rooted in Pacific Northwest cuisine. At Christine’s on Blackcomb, guests will find an iconic alpine destination with the launch of On The Rocks, an Ice bar complete with cozy outdoor seating where guests can gather for handcrafted cocktails and bubbles.
- At Park City Mountain (UT), guests may be unexpectedly greeted by a traveling S’mores Sleigh bringing fireside treats to surprise locations throughout the resort. The mountain is also expanding its popular Peak to Plate Dining and Skiing Experience, taking guests on a guided journey to ski and dine their way across the mountain, with distinctive dishes inspired by the unique character of each on-mountain lodge. And for a sweet snack, the new Kodiak Cakes Waffle Shack in the Mountain Village base area offers a great spot to stop and refuel.
- At Vail Mountain (CO), après is part of the resort’s DNA, with a rich history of iconic traditions and gathering spots. The mountain is building on that legacy with the new Vail Ice Bar, a lively outdoor destination adjacent to the iconic Legendary Back Bowls Gate. Guests will also find new ways to toast the day, from Bistro 14’s retro-inspired redesign and specialty Spritz menu to the return of the beloved Two Martini Lunch at The 10th, serving martinis, a Caesar salad and fries. Frisco-based Outer Range Brewing Co. will also sponsor the season-long après series at Vail Express Lift Bar and host special events featuring its locally crafted brews across Vail Mountain, as well as Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Crested Butte.
- At Breckenridge (CO), guests will find everything from culinary adventures to over-the-top mountain indulgence. The new Climb and Dine series pairs a self-powered ascent with a curated dinner experience, while the returning Instagrammable Hot Dog Tower serves up a playful, shareable mountain dining moment. Après enthusiasts can raise a glass to the resort’s unique origin story with the new Kingdom of Breck bourbon cocktail or join friends for the Ullr Time Mega Shotski at T-Bar. The resort is also adding a new Sweets Station at TenMile Station complete with cobbler, brownies and large cookies. Nearby, Keystone is also sweetening the ski day with the debut of the Sweet Shack at Summit House, serving loose candy, waffles on a stick and hot chocolate.
- At Beaver Creek (CO), the new Spruce Saddle Cabin Corner brings cabin-inspired dishes to Spruce Saddle offering a casual meal in a convenient on-mountain setting on select dates throughout the season. For a more intimate dining experience, the resort’s renowned Alpine Table Series returns with chef-curated menus and sommelier-selected wine pairings served in an intimate alpine setting.
Guests will also discover new food and après offerings across many of Vail Resorts’ regional mountains. From locally inspired flavors and signature celebrations to upgraded classics and vibrant gathering spaces, this winter’s enhancements are designed to make every ski trip more memorable, and include:
- Crested Butte (CO) will celebrate its 65th anniversary season with the return of its popular Uley’s Cabin sleigh ride dinners, where guests travel by snowcat and sleigh for an intimate on-mountain dining experience.
- Stevens Pass (WA) will celebrate its 90th anniversary season through a collaboration with a local brewery to introduce The 90th, a custom, locally brewed beer crafted exclusively for the occasion.
- Hunter Mountain (NY) will transform its iconic Base Lodge bar into Corduroy’s, a new, expanded indoor-outdoor après destination with more seating and enhanced food and beverage offerings.
- Mount Snow (VT) will introduce a new Maple Syrup Flight that celebrates Vermont’s iconic maple heritage through locally sourced syrup tastings paired with sweet and savory bites.
Resorts To Open Soon and Epic Passes are on Sale Now with Prices Increasing After Nov. 15
As winter nears, and Keystone Resort hopes to open in October, resorts across the east coast are now announcing target opening dates.
Vermont’s premier mountain resorts are gearing up for an exciting 2026/27 season with Stowe Mountain Resort, Okemo Mountain Resort, and Mount Snow targeting Saturday, November 21 for opening day, conditions permitting. This winter is especially notable as Stowe celebrates its 90th anniversary, Okemo unveils major snowmaking enhancements and Mount Snow introduces new mountain experiences, setting the stage for another memorable season across the Green Mountains.
Source: PR Newswire
