19 January 2009

There are pluses and minuses to every snow resort – Alta and Deer Valley do not welcome snowboarders, for example, a definite minus if one plank is your persuasion!

However, it is vital for your skiing or boarding health that you find like-minded friends with whom to holiday, since nothing can destroy your well-earned trip like...

...the frustration of a long lunch when you are a ‘vegemite-sandwich-on-the-lift’ type or make you dread going out if it’s going to be ‘goggles on and closed in vistas’ when all you yearn for is a view from the top that’s to die for…

After a morning’s hard skiing, a sunny terrace and long lunch can be a very attractive option.  Europe specialises in this type of skiing or boarding and, if you take it to extremes, you can come back from your outdoor holiday with more kilos than when you left!  Many resort reviews will include a summary of their mountain restaurants and ski instructors will have a list of their preferred terraces, which they can book in advance to ensure their group get a great table and perfect service. 

A shock, then, for the visitor used to this kind of treatment, to visit the resorts of North America and Japan!  In the States and Canada, often the best option is to return to the base of the mountain or resign yourself to a ‘fast food’ session at one of the pit stops on the hill.  No bad thing when you consider the snow conditions on offer at many of the resorts!  White stuff is to be indulged in, not looked at from behind a steaming hot choccy or glass of vino (thus shout the ‘v-s-o-t-l’ group).

Indeed, in order to get such good snow conditions, you will often find yourself riding the mountains of North America and (especially) Japan with snow falling around you.  Technically - ‘a white out’.  This means that goggles are vital, face masks are usually close behind (great powder requires low temperatures) and wrapping up is de rigeur.  Looking around at the views is not an option.  Lazing back on a deck chair and soaking up some rays is not comfortable at those temps and in those weather conditions either. 

So, how do you do it?  It’s easy to see how you get a long day on the boards without a long lunch – just keep going and enjoy the shorter lift queues!  But, where are the good lunch spots for those visiting the USA and Canada?

Aspen Snowmass (now there’s a surprise!) has got some good reviews, as has Keystone, Winter Park and Park City – but that’s not much when you consider the list of excellent snow.  Over the border, Whistler doesn’t score very highly – seems the mountain restaurants lack atmosphere - but Lake Louise, Panorama and Kicking Horse have all been highly recommended for venues where you can kick back and actually enjoy eating out with a view!

Names?  You want names?!  Well, call Snow Business and book your holiday and we’ll gladly help you select your lunch stops – the least we can do!