Any seasoned skier knows that much of the joy in a winter vacation comes from what you do after hours. Specifically: what you eat. To be sure, there is no dearth of fine dining at all of the Vail Resorts destinations. Here’s a sampling of the top unique dining.
BEAVER CREEK
Allie’s
Named after the “First Lady” of Beaver Creak, Allie’s is a cozy cabin available for weddings, retreats, and other group dinners. The menu showcases prime aged meats, game, fish and fowl. With an elegant post-and-beam bar, a spacious dining room, and a welcoming sitting area with fireplace, Allie’s offers a transcendent retreat where the elegant décor is complemented by the outstanding food.
Beano’s
Open to the public only for dinner, this exclusive on-mountain eating establishment is affiliated with the Beaver Creek Club. Accessible in the winter by snow cat or horse-drawn sleigh, Beano’s delivers a five-course menu with live entertainment. The restaurant also offers early seating for families (at 5, 5:15, and 5:30). Click here for reservations, or call 970-754-3463.
Trappers Cabin
Imagine being surrounded by an unimpeded, 360-degree vista of the Elk Mountains while a private chef whips up a customized meal for you and your closest friends far away from the hustle and bustle. Welcome to Trappers Cabin, a luxury three-story lodge tucked into an aspen stand at 9,500 feet. The cabin sleeps 12, can be rented with a private chef. Guests arrive via heated snow cat and have the option of booking a slopeside champagne toast during the duration of their stay.
BRECKENRIDGE
Starlight Dinners at Ten Mile Station New this year, this sleigh ride dinner begins at The Maggie, and takes diners to the base of Peak 9, to Ten Mile Station where a fixed price menu awaits. The four course meal features a choice of delectable options ranging from southwest corn chowder, smoked duck spring roll, cilantro pesto prawns, pinon-stuffed rainbow trout, and ancho crusted filet of beef. And that’s just a sampling.
HEAVENLY
Heavenly's latest restaurant is so new that it's still in search of a name. Located at the top of the Heavenly Tram, the yet-to-be-named eatery is equal parts sports bar, pub, gathering palce, and juicy burger joint. It's no 5-star epicurian delight, but it is a fun refueling spot. And it needs a name. Click here to offer your suggestions.
KEYSTONE
Alpenglow Stube
Ride the gondola to the top of North Peak (11,44 feet) for outstanding views and unrivaled cuisine. With a strong Bavarian influence, the Alpenglow Stube’s menu ranges from classic to eclectic. Highlights include Osso Bucco, crispy lobster, wood fired fillet of beef, and Colorado rack of lamb. Open for lunch and dinner, the Alpenglow Stube ensures each guest’s comfort by offering warm slippers and drying your boots while you eat. The restaurant offers a fixed price lunch menu and a 7-course chef’s tasting dinner, as well as a full bar and extensive wine list.
Back Ranch
No need for valet parking when you arrive by horse-drawn sleigh. Keystone’s Back Ranch has beckoned diners for years with its rustic elegance. After a 20-minute sleigh ride, diners arrive at an historic ranch homestead. Dinner starts with hot chocolate, soup, and biscuits followed by a choice of NY strip, grilled chicken or salmon, or the chef’s choice vegetarian entrée. Round out the evening with Dutch oven apple pie and homemade ice cream. Reservations required, 800-354-4386.
VAIL
Game Creek
Elegance at elevation. Tucked into Game Creek Bowl in a European-style chalet, Game Creek is accessed via snow cat from the top of the gondola. Its signature dinner includes unique offerings from pork belly confit to lump crab salad to elk steaks. With a fixed price menu (offering the option of three to five courses), comprehensive wine list, and full bar, Game Creek offers something for everyone.
Bistro Fourteen
Upgrade lunch or dinner at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, where Bistro Fourteen’s white tablecloth dining room and expansive views create a casual fine dining experience. The food is hearty and flavorful with options like buffalo meat ball subs, steamed mussels, a multitude of salads, and roasted stuffed pork loin.
The 10th
Vail’s newest on-mountain fine dining restaurant pays homage to the 10th Mountain Division. Located at Mid-Vail at the base of Look Ma run, it is ski-in, ski-out by day and accessible by downloading on the new gondola at mid Vail. The cuisine focuses on modern American classics and ranges from familiar (hand-cut fries with black truffle and parmesan cheese) to unique (pot au feu with beef and veal short ribs, lamb sausage, ricotta dumplings, leeks, apples, ham, and gruyere broth).