Enjoying a delicious meal on or off the mountain can be a highlight or hassle of a ski vacation. What to do about locations, reservations and menus? Add the challenge of kids or grandparents, vegans or gluten-freebirds, or for the one-in-four Americans who have a disability, accessibility options.
Accessibility — the quality of being easily reached, entered or used — means different things to different people. As host to the 2002 and upcoming 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Utah has learned a few things about feeding crowds from around the world. Namely, accessibility means good customer service, i.e., making everyone feel welcome.
Most eating establishments try to anticipate needs and expectations, but good communication can make a simple meal a memorable one. While below are a few things and places to consider, the list is far from exhaustive (in a state with 15 resorts, 10 of which are just an hour from a major metropolitan city). So, if a menu gets your mouth watering, don’t hesitate to let the cafe or caterer know of anything it can do to make your dining experience downright delectable.
Getting There
On-mountain dining varies from resort to resort. Many are located at the base; others require a lift (Royal Street Cafe at Deer Valley Resort), gondola (Needles Lodge at Snowbasin Resort) or tram (Summit Lodge at Snowbird) ride. The entrances and facilities are ADA-compliant, but notify the lifties before loading and unloading if you or your companion require any assistance. Ski personnel have years of experience with participants of all abilities through their work with their resort’s ski school, National Ability Center,Wasatch Adaptive Sports and Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports Program. They are happy to slow or stop a chair for any reason or raise a gondola bench to accommodate medical or mobility devices.
If you’re going out to eat, Historic Main Street in Park City, one of Utah’s most popular attractions, is lined with restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, including Chimayo (Southwestern) and Grappa (Italian). Designated permit parking spots are available on this popular drag, but with its crowd-filled sidewalk and significant downhill slope, guests may find more and more accessible parking behind the quaint buildings on the flatter, eastern-facing Swede Alley, where most locals like to park.
Avoiding Rush Hour
One of the biggest obstacles for skiers and snowboarders, particularly those sensitive to lights and sounds, is the crush and cacophony that accompanies on-mountain dining. Between 11AM to 1PM is the rush-hour period at any given resort, but NOT at every eatery. For example, Rime Seafood and Raw Bar, located at the top of the Jordanelle Gondola at Deer Valley Resort offers great lobster rolls in a quiet cabin setting. If you really, really want a bowl of the resort’s famed turkey chili, consider going to Silver Lake Lodge at 11AM sharp or after 1PM, when crowds thin dramatically. Mountain hosts, volunteers who are positioned throughout many Utah resorts to answer questions, are a great resource for knowing where and when to eat between runs.
Also, consider sitting outside on a restaurant patio to enjoy the quiet and the view. For example, Alta Alf's Restaurant Alf’s Restaurant, the outdoor tables on a sunny day are the perfect place to scarf down a basket of fries (Yes, you want the fries!) or a made-to-order sandwich.
Finding a Quiet Spot
When it comes to around-town dining, Utah has some of the best and broadest array of options near its slopes. After a big powder day in the Cottonwood Canyons (Brighton, Solitude Mountain Resort, Snowbird, Alta Ski Area), guests can enjoy dinner at one of several James Beard-nominated restaurants, including Urban Hill in Salt Lake City. Enjoy fine food in its bustling main dining room, or request a banquette table in one of its quieter, more intimate rooms with less traffic and room to spread out. Its more-casual sibling, Hearth and Hill, located in Kimball Junction in Park City, similarly, has different seating options to complement its seasonal menu.
Dining In
Because so many of Utah’s ski and snowboard resorts are located near larger cities, including Salt Lake, Park City, Provo, Ogden and Logan, major grocery store chains and specialty food shops abound and deliver. DoorDash and Uber Eats will also bring fine dining and fast food to most accommodations. There are even personal chef and catering options ready to feed your crew at your condo. Notable mention goes to Alta Provisions servicing Little Cottonwood Canyon, SLC and Park City.
As winter sports host to the world, Utah ski and snowboard resorts have and continue to welcome all visitors, athletes and guests to enjoy its beautiful mountains. So, stay awhile, relax and eat well.
