Ski trip food planning: eat well, ski more.

Start here

Less time cooking. More time skiing. And no one asking, "What’s for dinner?"

The VisitSnowshoe owners’ family enjoys eating out on vacation, but when they invite other families to join them, they cook more than they eat out. In those cases, a little meal planning goes a long way. Whether you’re feeding a family of four or a house full of hungry skiers, the secret is to plan meals that are easy to prepare, satisfying after a day outdoors, and don’t leave someone stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.

Here are their favorite tips for keeping everyone well fed without turning your vacation into a full-time cooking job.

Breakfasts and mornings: fuel up before first chair

Ski mornings can be hectic. Between finding gloves, buckling boots, and getting everyone out the door, breakfast needs to be quick, filling, and preferably ready before anyone wakes up.

• Make-ahead egg bakes and breakfast casseroles. Assemble an egg, cheese, sausage, hash brown, or veggie casserole the night before. Refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning while everyone gets ready.
• Breakfast burritos. Prepare burritos with scrambled eggs, cheese, potatoes, and bacon or sausage. Wrap individually and refrigerate or freeze. Reheat for a hearty, portable breakfast.
• Overnight French toast. Layer bread, eggs, milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup in a baking dish the night before. Bake in the morning for a breakfast that feels special without much effort.
• Slow cooker oatmeal. Let steel-cut oats cook overnight, then set out toppings like brown sugar, berries, nuts, chocolate chips, and maple syrup.
• Bagel and yogurt bar. Stock bagels, cream cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, granola, and fruit for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
• Hot cocoa and coffee station. Create a self-serve station with coffee, cocoa mix, marshmallows, whipped cream, and cinnamon. Perfect for warming up before or after skiing!

Host tip: Set the breakfast table and organize everyone’s ski snacks the night before. You’ll thank yourself in the morning!

Lunches: quick bites without missing the fun

When you’re staying slopeside, popping home for lunch can be a great alternative to crowded restaurants. Keep it simple so everyone can get back outside quickly.

• Build-your-own sandwich bar. Set out deli meats, cheeses, rolls, lettuce, and condiments. Everyone makes exactly what they want.
• Soup and grilled cheese. Tomato soup, chicken noodle, or a hearty chili paired with grilled cheese sandwiches is the ultimate cold-weather lunch.
• Loaded baked potatoes. Bake potatoes ahead of time and reheat them. Offer toppings like chili, cheese, bacon, sour cream, and broccoli.
• Quesadillas. Tortillas, shredded cheese, and leftover chicken make a fast lunch with minimal cleanup.
• Snack boards. Arrange crackers, cheese, fruit, veggies, hummus, nuts, and sliced meats for a grazing-style lunch.

Host tip: Keep lunches flexible. Some skiers will be ready to eat at 11:30, while others won’t want to stop until 2:00. A help-yourself lunch works beautifully.

Dinners: come home to something delicious

After a full day of skiing, nobody wants to spend two hours preparing dinner. Choose meals that can simmer all day, be made ahead, or feed a crowd with little effort.

• Slow cooker chili. Make a big batch of beef, turkey, or vegetarian chili. Set out shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and cornbread. Leftovers are even better the next day.
• Pulled pork or chicken sandwiches. Cook meat in the slow cooker and serve with buns, coleslaw, and baked beans.
• Taco and nacho bar. Prepare seasoned meat or beans and set out tortillas, chips, cheese, salsa, guacamole, and toppings. Everyone builds their own.
• Baked ziti or lasagna. Assemble before your trip, refrigerate or freeze, and bake when you’re ready. Add garlic bread and a bagged salad.
• Sheet-pan dinners. Roast chicken, sausage, or salmon with potatoes and vegetables on one or two sheet pans for easy cleanup.
• Hearty soups and stews. Beef stew, chicken tortilla soup, and creamy potato soup are perfect after a cold day outdoors.
• Burgers and hot dogs. Keep it easy with classics, a veggie tray with dip, and chips.
• Pizza night. Pick up frozen pizzas, make your own with prepared crusts, or pick up some great wood-fired pizzas from The Pizza Slice.
• Breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit make an inexpensive, easy crowd-pleaser.

Host tip: Choose at least one dinner that can be fully prepared before your trip and one that cooks while you’re skiing. Your future self will appreciate it.

Après-ski: snacks for hungry skiers

There’s something wonderful about coming inside after a day on the mountain and finding something warm and delicious waiting.

• Warm spinach and artichoke dip. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced bread.
• Buffalo chicken dip. A crowd favorite that can be prepared ahead and reheated.
• Charcuterie board. Cheese, crackers, salami, grapes, nuts, and olives make an easy appetizer that feels a little fancy.
• Soft pretzels and cheese dip. Frozen soft pretzels heat up in minutes.
• Nachos. Layer tortilla chips, cheese, beans, and leftover taco meat, then bake until bubbly.
• Warm cookies and hot cocoa. Keep refrigerated cookie dough on hand for a fresh-from-the-oven treat.
• Slow cooker apple cider. Warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices for a delicious mountain-inspired treat.

Host tip: Put out snacks as soon as everyone returns. It buys you time to get dinner ready without a chorus of "I’m starving!"

Feeding a crowd? Make it easy on yourself

Traveling with multiple families or a big group of friends? A little organization can make meals surprisingly simple.

• Assign dinner nights. Have each family or couple take responsibility for one dinner, including shopping, cooking, and cleanup.
• Plan theme nights. Taco Tuesday, Pasta Night, Chili Night, or Pizza Night makes planning easier and more fun.
• Create a shared grocery list. Coordinate before your trip so you don’t arrive with four jars of mustard and no coffee.
• Use buffet-style meals. Taco bars, baked potato bars, and pasta bars accommodate different preferences and appetites.
• Double up. Make extra chili, taco meat, or pulled pork and repurpose leftovers for lunches.
• Consider dietary needs. Ask about allergies, vegetarian preferences, and food restrictions before shopping.
• Keep one night free. Plan an evening to enjoy a local restaurant or order takeout rather than cooking every meal.

Host tip: One family handles dinner, another handles cleanup. Everyone gets a vacation!

Smart grocery shopping for Snowshoe

Snowshoe is a mountain destination, so it’s worth thinking ahead about groceries.

• Shop before you arrive. If you want to shop yourself, you’ll want to shop before heading up the mountain, especially for large groups.
• Bring specialty ingredients. If you need specific gluten-free products, favorite brands, or unusual ingredients, bring them with you.
• Organize by meal. Pack ingredients for each dinner together so you’re not hunting through bags to find what you need.
• Prep at home. Chop vegetables, marinate meats, assemble casseroles, and pre-measure ingredients before leaving.
• Don’t forget the basics. Coffee, filters or pods, creamer, butter, cooking oil, spices, condiments, foil, and food storage bags are easy to overlook.

Host tip: Don’t count on making a quick grocery run for a forgotten ingredient. Bring what you need for your main meals and use local stores for smaller extras.

Snacks that belong in every ski bag

Skiing burns energy, and hungry kids (and adults!) can go from happy to miserable surprisingly fast. Pack easy, portable snacks that won’t make a mess:

• Granola and protein bars
• Trail mix and nuts
• Beef jerky
• Peanut butter crackers
• Apples, clementines, and bananas
• Fruit snacks and dried fruit
• Mini muffins
• Cheese sticks for breaks back at the house
• Chocolate or other favorite treats

Host tip: Put a snack in everyone’s ski coat the night before. A granola bar on the chairlift can sometimes save the afternoon!

Your ski trip grocery checklist

Shop once, ski all week! There’s nothing worse than getting settled into your mountain home, starting dinner, and realizing you forgot the butter. Use this checklist to organize your shopping before you leave home.

Packing tip: Put everything needed for your first night’s dinner and the following morning’s breakfast in clearly labeled bags. You’ll be ready to eat without unpacking every grocery bag.

Sample 5-day ski vacation meal plan

Five days of easy meals, happy skiers, and minimal kitchen duty. This sample menu is designed for a group of 8 to 12, but it scales easily for larger groups. Meals share ingredients, use leftovers creatively, and include plenty of opportunities to relax.

Make this plan even easier

If you want to work ahead, before leaving home you can:

• Assemble the ziti and egg casserole.
• Prepare and wrap breakfast burritos.
• Chop vegetables and portion taco toppings.
• Mix chili seasonings in a labeled container.
• Freeze any meals that need to stay cold during travel.

On arrival night: Throw together quick spaghetti and meatballs (or pop a pre-made ziti in the oven), toss a salad, and enjoy an easy first dinner. Prepare the next morning’s coffee and breakfast supplies before bed.

On ski mornings: Keep breakfasts buffet-style so early risers can eat and get moving while everyone else wakes up.

In the evenings: Spend a few minutes preparing the following day’s meals. You’ll have more time to relax and enjoy the hot tub, games, or a movie.

The secret: cook once, eat twice

A little extra cooking can eliminate an entire meal’s worth of work.

• Chili: dinner one night, loaded baked potatoes the next day.
• Taco meat: tacos for dinner, quesadillas or nachos for lunch.
• Pulled pork: sandwiches one night, BBQ baked potatoes or sliders the next.
• Roasted chicken: dinner one night, wraps or chicken salad the next.
• Pancakes: make extra and refrigerate or freeze for a quick breakfast later.

Where to buy groceries at Snowshoe

The most important grocery tip for Snowshoe? Do your major shopping before you reach the mountain. Snowshoe has convenience stores and a small grocery, but no full-size supermarket at the resort. A little planning can save you a lengthy trip down the mountain, especially in winter weather.

Have your groceries delivered

Don’t want to fill your vehicle with groceries or spend vacation time shopping? VisitSnowshoe partners with a grocery delivery service that delivers to the mountain, shopping at the Walmart Supercenter in Elkins, the biggest grocery store within a two-hour radius. There’s no markup on the food, just a reasonable delivery fee. Let them carry in and put away all the food and beverages in the home before you arrive. This can be especially convenient for families and large groups. Arrange your order in advance and confirm availability and delivery details directly with the service.

Want to shop yourself? Stock up before you arrive

Coming from the north through Elkins? About 90 minutes from the resort, Elkins has a Walmart Supercenter and Kroger, making it a good place for a major grocery run before heading to Snowshoe.

Coming from the south through Marlinton? Pocahontas IGA in Marlinton is a convenient stop for groceries, fresh food, and forgotten essentials.

Coming from another direction? Consider shopping near home or at the last major town along your route. Bring a cooler for meats, dairy, and frozen foods.

Need something once you’re here?

• Wildcat Provisions, on Snowshoe Mountain. The most convenient option for forgotten essentials, snacks, groceries, drinks, and deli items. Expect a smaller selection and higher prices than a full-size supermarket.
• The General Store at Mountain Lodge. Handy for snacks, drinks, small necessities, and other items you may have forgotten.
• Dollar General and convenience stores, Slatyfork. Located at the base of the mountain, these stores offer basic groceries, snacks, drinks, and household supplies.
• Pocahontas IGA, Marlinton. For those traveling from the south on US 219, a mid-size grocery store in Marlinton, about 30 to 45 minutes from Snowshoe depending on road conditions.

Take a night off from cooking

Snowshoe has some great options for a night out or an easy meal you don’t have to prepare. See the VisitSnowshoe Where to Eat guide. Restaurant and store hours can vary considerably by season, so check before making plans.

Feeding 10, 15, or 20? Here's how much food to buy

Planning meals for a large ski group can feel like organizing a small wedding. But it doesn’t have to! Skiers tend to have hearty appetites, especially teenagers, and a little extra food is usually better than running short. Use these hearty quantities as a starting point for groups with a mix of adults and children.

Breakfast for a crowd

These are alternative breakfast options, not a suggestion to serve every item at one meal.

Sandwich and wrap lunch bar

An easy, help-yourself lunch that lets everyone eat on their own schedule and get back to the slopes.

Host tip: Offer hearty rolls, croissants, or bagels in addition to sandwich bread. They’re great for hungry skiers who want something more substantial.

Taco and nacho night

A crowd favorite that lets everyone build their own plate. These amounts allow about 3 to 4 generously filled tacos per person, with plenty of toppings.

Host tip: Set up a taco bar with both soft tortillas and crunchy shells. Leftover taco meat makes fantastic quesadillas, nachos, or breakfast burritos the next day.

Pasta and meatball night

Pasta is one of the easiest and most economical meals for a large group, especially when everyone is starving after a full ski day.

Host tip: Bake pasta and sauce together in large casserole dishes, topped with mozzarella. You can assemble everything before your trip and refrigerate or freeze it until needed.

Hearty chili night

A steaming bowl of chili is hard to beat after a cold day on the mountain. Serve with cornbread and plenty of toppings.

Host tip: Chili is a perfect make-ahead meal and freezes beautifully. Make extra to serve over baked potatoes or nachos for lunch the next day.

Loaded baked potato bar

A terrific lunch or dinner option, especially when you have leftover chili, taco meat, or pulled pork.

Host tip: Bake potatoes in batches ahead of time and refrigerate promptly. Reheat thoroughly before serving. Put all the toppings on the counter and let everyone build their own meal.

Burger and hot dog night

A casual dinner that’s always popular with kids and teenagers.

Host tip: If you’re serving both burgers and hot dogs, you can reduce the quantities of each depending on your group’s preferences. The amounts above are deliberately generous.

Pulled pork or chicken sandwich night

One of the easiest meals for feeding a crowd. Prepare the meat in advance, then reheat and serve buffet-style.

Host tip: Pulled pork can be prepared days ahead and freezes well. Serve it on sandwiches one night, then use leftovers for loaded nachos, baked potatoes, or quesadillas.

A few things to remember when feeding hungry skiers

• Teenagers can have enormous appetites. Count active teens as full adults, and consider adding another 10 to 20 percent if your group includes several big eaters.
• Plan for seconds. Especially with pasta, chili, tacos, and other favorite comfort foods.
• Keep snacks available. Even a substantial lunch may not carry everyone through a full afternoon of skiing.
• Don’t forget the sides. Bread, rice, potatoes, salads, and vegetables help stretch meals and give everyone plenty of choices.
• Use leftovers strategically. Preparing extra food makes sense when it can become tomorrow’s lunch.
• Think about kitchen capacity. A 20-person chili recipe may require several pots or multiple slow cookers. Each VisitSnowshoe home has one crockpot, so you may want to bring a second from home depending on the size of your group!

The golden rule for ski vacations: It’s better to have enough for seconds and tomorrow’s lunch than to run out of dinner when everyone is tired and hungry!

Snacks and drinks

For a full day of skiing, consider planning for:

• 2 to 3 portable snacks per skier: granola bars, trail mix, jerky, fruit, and crackers.
• Fresh fruit: about 1 to 2 pieces per person daily.
• Hot cocoa: one or two servings per person on cold days.
• Coffee: plan based on your group’s coffee drinkers, allowing about 1 to 2 cups per person each morning.
• Water: encourage everyone to hydrate throughout the day, even when it doesn’t feel hot outside.

Five more tips for feeding a big group

1. Count teenagers as adults. Active teens can eat as much as many adults, or more.
2. Ask about dietary restrictions ahead of time. It’s much easier to accommodate allergies and preferences before shopping.
3. Choose meals with flexible portions. Pasta bars, taco bars, chili, and baked potatoes are ideal.
4. Check cookware capacity. For a group of 20, you may need multiple baking dishes or cooking batches rather than one enormous pot.
5. Don’t overbuy perishable food. Plan for leftovers, but remember that you’ll probably eat out at least once and may have more food remaining than expected.

Favorite group vacation rule: Each family takes one dinner night. Everyone helps clean up, and nobody spends the entire vacation in the kitchen.

A few final tips for a stress-free ski vacation

Keep it simple. Vacation meals don’t need to be elaborate. A bowl of chili after a cold day of skiing can be more satisfying than a fancy dinner.

Plan ahead, but stay flexible. You may decide to ski longer, head to the hot tub, or visit a restaurant instead of cooking.

Share the work. Everyone deserves a vacation, including the person who usually does the cooking.

And most importantly, enjoy the time together. Some of the best ski vacation memories happen around the dinner table, with rosy cheeks, tired legs, and stories from the slopes. The goal isn’t gourmet cooking every night. It’s good food, full bellies, happy skiers, and more time together on the mountain.

Eat well, ski more, and make some mountain memories!