First published January 19, 2017 on MEC's blog (link)
Whether you’re trying to maximize your time shredding down the slopes, touring deep into the backcountry, or simply trying to avoid paying for overpriced resort food, packing snacks is an easy way to help you fuel up on the mountain.
Here are some ski snack ideas that will satisfy both your hunger and your taste buds:
JERKY
Get your protein fix with some jerky – lean meat that’s dried to prevent spoilage. As a snack that’s lightweight and lasts basically forever, a package of jerky is easy to keep in your jacket pocket for a little energy boost.
Want some variety? Krave has tasty packs of beef and pork jerky in flavours like sweet chipotle, black cherry and chili lime. Or, if you’re looking for something a little different, Sea Change crafts wild salmon jerky from Salt Spring Island in British Columbia.
GRANOLA BARS
I like having a granola bar in the morning before I head out skiing, but they’re great snacks for pretty much any time you’re on the mountain. Whip one out while you’re on the chairlift or enjoy one in the gondola. If you’re ski touring, pull one out as a victory snack after finally reaching the summit.
For a mega-hit of energy, Pro Bar has a smooth chocolate and coconut taste (and 370 calories), while the Prima Ginger + Pistachio Bar is filled with dates, organic brown rice crisps, sunflower seeds and almonds.
For a fruitier option, try the Nakd Berry Delight, which is full of dates, cashews, raisins and raspberries. Or, if you want something with a hint of sea salt, go for the KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bar.
MOON CHEESE
Do you like to defy expectations on the slopes, even when you’re snacking? Pick up some Moon Cheese. The combination of protein and fat found in cheese is great to keep you energized, but most cheese is tough to keep cool in your pocket.
Moon Cheese is cheese that’s been freeze-dried into compact, tasty pieces that don’t need to be refrigerated. The small size of the pieces and the lightweight packaging make it an ideal snack for longer forays into the wilderness. It’s also a good option for savoury snacking mid-chairlift ride on a powder day when you’re hungry but can’t bring yourself to go in for lunch.
BACKCOUNTRY COMFORT FOOD
Planning on spending a little more time away from food sources? After skinning up a mountain for hours while carrying ski gear and supplies, it’s safe to assume you’ll be pretty exhausted. The last thing you’ll want to do is spend time putting together a meal.
Luckily for backcountry skiers, freeze-dried comfort food from Backpacker’s Pantry, AlpineAire, Mountain House and more make hot meals that are easy to prep. Look for the ones that let you cook them in the package – all you have to do is boil some snow into water, then add the boiled water to the bags these meals come in.
The next time you’re getting ready for a day on the slopes, make sure you stuff your pockets with some snacks to help boost your energy levels and keep you going strong all day long.