Published December 4, 2017 12:00AM
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The Ski Lift Snacks Our Editors Love
Forget long cafeteria lines. These pocket snacks are cheaper, tastier, and way better for making friends on a chairlift.
Sammy Podhurst and Janelle Huelsman fuel up on the gondola before a day of powder skiing on Aspen Mountain, Colorado.
You could spend an hour or more of your powder day standing in line for a three-day-old prepackaged $14 sandwich. Or you could use the pockets on your jacket the way God—or the gear designers—intended: filled with snacks. We asked our editors about their tried-and-true favorites, all of which are edible when frozen, cost about $5 or less, and are, of course, delicious.
Haribo Peaches
Gummy candies are the best ski snack. They’re refreshing, portable, and even tastier semi-frozen. Haribo’s peach flavor is the best of the lot, packing pure peach essence into a no-nonsense oval shape that should not be confused with the inferior peach-flavored rings. —Erin Berger, associate editor
Junior Mints
For some reason, the only time I ever eat them is on chairlifts. Part of it is family tradition. My mom brought them skiing when I was a kid, but the boxes are functional, too. Unlike bags of M&M’s and Skittles, you don’t have to worry about your snack exploding all over the lift when trying to open it with clumsy, frozen hands. And there’s something about the white mint filling that just feels like winter. —Will Ford, editorial fellow
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Bacon
Bacon should need no explanation, but here goes: packable, greasy, and a great way to make new friends on the lift. —Axie Navas, executive editor
Clif Organic Energy Food Banana Beet with Ginger
High altitudes absolutely destroy my will to ingest just about everything besides these packets. Beets are rich in nitrates, which help blood vessels cope with thin air, and Clif wisely subdues the earthy flavor with banana and stomach-calming ginger. —Aleta Burchyski, senior copy editor
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Burrito
I could write an ode to the “pocket burrito.” It packs all the calories I need for the day, conveniently wrapped in foil for easy access and storage. And while you’re at it, picking one up for a friend may just earn you a beer. —Mitch Breton, video curator
Underberg Digestif Bitters
Don’t let the adorable doll-size bottles fool you. Underberg is an 88-proof herbal slap in the mouth that will cure everything from the greaseball lunch sitting like a rock in your stomach to the fading will to pump your quads through one more mogul field. —A.B.
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ProBar Meal
I don’t ski, but when I’m fat-biking in winter, I swear by ProBar. Everything the company makes is tasty, but its coolest product has to be the Meal. While they’re not meant for short, high-output efforts, these calorie-dense bars are perfect for long days in the cold when you’re burning sugar like mad. And with a high protein and fiber load, they’re actually filling. —Scott Rosenfield, digital editorial director
Fresh Mandarin Oranges
They’re great frozen, so you don’t have to worry about them getting too cold. Each one has enough sugar and water to reenergize you, and they’re easy to share with friends. —Jonah Ogles, articles editor
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Bogg’s Trail Foods Trail Butter
I’m not really a skier, but when I’ve skinned up the local hill, I’ve had these all-natural energy gels in my pack. They’re a little tricky to open with gloves, but once you’ve cracked the seal, you just have to squeeze. And they taste way better than your usual energy-packed flavors. —Will Egensteiner, associate editor
