Food is fuel, especially when you are spending six or seven hours skiing, riding lifts, hiking for powder, and chasing one more lap. Your muscles need the energy to continue making all those smile-inducing turns. Strategic lunch choices can mean the difference between having energy through the afternoon and feeling like you need a nap at 1:30 p.m.
So, what do skiers actually eat when they are on the mountain?
We asked our followers what their go-to slope lunch is, and the answers ranged from practical to ridiculous. But a few clear themes emerged.
PB&J Is the King of the Mountain
If ski lunch had an official food, it might be the peanut butter and jelly sandwich or something similar.
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PB&Js, Uncrustables, deli sandwiches, and wraps showed up over and over again in the comments. Some people eat them in the lodge, some eat them in the parking lot, and others apparently pull them directly out of their jacket to eat on the lift.
One commenter described an English muffin loaded with peanut butter, Nutella, banana, granola, honey, and cinnamon sugar that slowly molds itself to the shape of their pocket. That sounds genius but might be deeply concerning if witnessed firsthand.
The Pocket Is the New Lunchroom
One of the biggest themes was simple: don’t stop skiing.
Skiers mentioned pocket bacon, pocket chicken, pocket pizza, protein bars, jerky, Snickers, granola bars, and pretty much anything else that can survive being stuffed into a jacket.
One skier summed it up perfectly: “Pocket food! Never quit skiing!”
For many skiers and snowboarders, lunch is less of a meal and more of a quick refueling operation between laps. After all, you’re not there for the food; you’re there to ride the mountain.
Some Skiers Do Not Believe in Lunch
A surprisingly large number of people said they skip lunch altogether, which may or may not work for some.
The strategy is simple. Eat a big breakfast, ski hard until the afternoon, and eat when you get home.
Some said they skip lunch because they don’t want to miss valuable ski time. Others pointed out that the slopes and lift lines often get noticeably quieter around lunchtime.
Why sit in a crowded lodge when you could be skiing?
Chili, Soup and Other Real Food
Not everyone lives on pocket snacks. There are still plenty who go to the lodge to fuel up.
Chili and soup were among the most popular hot lunch choices, with everything from homemade soup in a thermos to ramen and clam chowder making appearances.
Chili might actually be the perfect ski lunch. It is warm, filling, and easy to make in advance. Just don’t ski directly behind the person who orders the extra beans.
Burgers and Pizza Still Rule But Food Prices Are Top of Mind
Of course, plenty of skiers still go straight for the classics.
Cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken fingers, fries, hot dogs, and other lodge staples were common answers.
The problem is that resort food prices have changed the equation for a lot of skiers.
As pointed out earlier, many commenters said they would rather pack lunch, eat in the parking lot, or go back to their car than pay $20, $30, or more for lunch at the resort.
The Parking Lot Is Basically Another Ski Lodge
Many commenters noted how the lodge and the chairlift aren’t the only place to consume your fuel at the mountain. The parking lot may be the real way to see how skiers eat.
Skiers reported bringing grills, camp stoves, crock pots, thermoses, and coolers loaded with everything from hot dogs and brisket to leftover Chinese food. One person even brings osso buco in a crock pot.
We salute the ones who take the time to set up a full-on tailgater in the parking lot while the rest of us are eating a crushed granola bar that has been living in our jacket since last spring.
Let’s Not Forget the Beer
Based on the comments, beer deserves its own category.
It was mentioned repeatedly as a lunch, a lunch accessory, or simply a perfectly acceptable replacement for lunch.
Some skiers paired beer with burgers, chili, sandwiches, and parking lot barbecue. Others apparently consider beer to be liquid bread.
We are not here to judge; you have to stay hydrated somehow on the mountain, and liquid courage may be a great option.
The Best Ski Lunch Is the One That Keeps You Skiing
Obviously, there is no single perfect ski lunch. Everyone is different. For some, it is a PB&J in the pocket. For others, it is chili in a thermos, a burger in the lodge, or a full parking lot barbecue. Some skip lunch entirely.
The common thread is that skiers want food that gives them energy without ruining the rest of the day, and many would rather spend their time and money skiing than sitting down for an expensive meal.
After all, the goal is simple: eat enough to keep the legs working, don’t get so full that you need a nap, and get back out there for more laps. And don’t forget to hydrate too.
