03 Jan Round Up: High Alpine Dining

With the hearty selection of world-class ski resorts in the Northern Rockies comes a hearty selection of high-alpine dining options, from a backcountry yurt, to sleigh ride- and lift-accessed fine dining. Here are some to try:

Big Sky, Montana

Everett’s 8800: The new eight-person Ramcharger lift delivers diners to this chalet (8,800 happens to be the elevation) at the top of Andesite Mountain. Open during the day for on-slope fine dining, it takes on a quieter, more elegant charm in the evening, 406.995.8800.

Montana Dinner Yurt: Operated by Montana Backcountry Adventures, a snowcat skiing operation, diners arrive to a secret on-mountain spot at Big Sky Resort via snowcat. There’s live music in the comfortable and cozy yurt, and a sledding hill involved. The gourmet dinner is served in courses, ending with a Toblerone chocolate fondue, 406.995.3880.

Lone Mountain Ranch Sleigh Ride Dinner: Travel by horse-drawn sleigh to the cozy and rustic North Fork Cabin to experience a family-style meal that includes prime rib along with the tunes of a cowboy musician, 406.995.4644.

Sun Valley, Idaho

The Roundhouse: On Fridays and Saturdays, diners ride the gondola up to Bald Mountain to dine at 7,700 feet at the ski area’s iconic restaurant, open since 1939. The original wood-burning fireplace provides a cozy atmosphere, and fondue is a customer favorite, 208.622.2012.

Trail Creek Cabin: A horse-drawn sleigh takes guests from the Sun Valley Inn to the historic Trail Creek Cabin. Built in 1937, and once serving as Ernest Hemingway’s hunting cabin, the venue has a warm and inviting ambiance with signature dishes, a crackling fireplace, and live music on the weekends. Drive-to dining is also available, 208.622.2800.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Piste Mountain Bistro: Serving locally-sourced Rocky Mountain cuisine and epic views, this mountain-top restaurant is accessed by the Bridger Gondola. In the winter months, it’s the go-to spot for a laid back, Alps-like luxury lunch. In the summertime, it’s open for dinner only, with outdoor seating available when the weather permits, 307.732.3177.