Why No Cheap Eats at Ski Resorts?

Ski resort fine dining options continue to expand and grow better, but the slopeside, low-cost meal is fast becoming extinct—if it ever existed in the first place.

I’m fresh back from the annual Okemo Resort media weekend in which ski and snowboard journalists are invited to indulge in the finest that the Vermont ski area has to offer.

As sometimes happens in early December, however, the snow conditions don’t allow for the finest skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

Even the finest snowmaking systems can’t work without help from Mother Nature, and this year early winter has not only been dry, it’s been warm. Only some 30 trails were open for snowsliding, just a fraction of the area’s overall capacity.

But, a state-of-the-art ski resort like Okemo doesn’t stop functioning just because the weather’s bad. And, if we could ski only limited terrain, we could eat in unlimited quantities.

Okemo, under the aegis of husband-and-wife owners Tim and Diane Mueller, has led the way in upgrading the eastern ski resort culinary experience. No longer is it good enough for them to offer greasy burgers and fries. Skiing diners can choose among gourmet offerings that range from specialty sandwiches and gourmet pizzas to international cuisine at sit-down lunches and dinners.

We’re talking about Asian, Italian, New England and French entrees—and everything in between.

A skier is easily spoiled.

But, I think there’s a problem. What if I want something fast and cheap?

Fast is no problem. But, cheap is.

You can’t get away with spending anything less than $10-$12 for the most basic of lunches at any major ski resort these days.

Now, that’s not new, mind you. When I skied/traveled with young kids, we packed our own lunch and I imposed a "you may buy one food item" rule.

But, and old story or not, it’s still kind of annoying.

As much as I love(d) the dining options at Okemo (or at Sunday River, Loon Mountain, Vail, Aspen, South Tahoe, Park City, Whistler and most other major ski/ride locales, for that matter), I’d like to chow down somewhere on the hill for about five or six bucks a head.

Before heading home from this past weekend’s eating/skiing adventure, and friend and I stopped in town (Ludlow, VT) for a quick lunch. We each had a large, freshly handmade salad and a water. The bill? $12.95.

That’s what I’m talking about.

Related Article: Okemo Cooking Class for Skiers