Dining

If you are worried about staying in Snowmass and missing out on Aspen’s fining dining atmosphere, do not fret. We found excellent dining options here. By the way, every restaurant in Snowmass has children’s menus.

Known for its dogsledding and kennels, Krabloonik (923-3953; $$$$; right) has an even bigger reputation for its restaurant’s wild-game selection and extensive wine list. In a rustic log house at Snowmass, this venue is the one Snowmass option where you can ring up Aspen-level dinner tabs.

Many think Artisan Restaurant (923-2427; $$$) in the Stonebridge Inn serves the best meal in the valley from a superb handcrafted menu of seafood and vegetarian options. In a homey rustic setting, it also has more martini choices than any place else. The Snowmass Club bistro, Sage (923-0923; $$$; below left), offers distinctive food with fixed-price options in a casual unpretentious atmosphere.

Most of the other eateries are in the Snowmass Village Mall (if we don't tell you, that's where you'll find them).

La Provence (923-6804; $$$) offers southern French fare accompanied by a very nice wine list and a view, though consistency can be an issue. The Margarita Grill (923-6803; $$–$$$) serves southwestern cuisine influenced by Central America. Il Poggio (923-4292; $$–$$$) prepares classic Italian fare in two settings: an elegant experience complete with extensive wine choices, or casual with homemade pastas and hearth-baked pizzas. Service can be on the slow side in the more upscale dining room, where reservations are required.

Butch's Lobster Bar (923-4004; $$$), at the top of the village, is owned by a former lobsterman from Cape Cod; Brothers’ Grille (923-8285; $–$$) in the Silvertree reportedly has the best hamburgers in the valley; and Mountain Dragon (923-3576; $–$$), owned by the town mayor, is one of the hottest spots for dinner or drinks. It serves Chinese, sushi and free appetizers during happy hour.

The Stew Pot (923-2263; $–$$) features soups, tasty and unusual stews and sandwiches. The Village Deli ($) also serves healthy and inexpensive lunch options for those on the run. For pizza, steaks or hoagies, try Taste of Philly ($).

Spend an evening at the Burlingame Cabin (923-0460; $$$) for family-style meals or the Lynn Britt Cabin (923-0460; fixed-price menu) for gourmet four-course affairs, both nestled in aspen groves on Snowmass Mountain. At both, a heated snowcat and well-blanketed open-air sleigh transports guests to a cabin with wood stove, bluegrass entertainment and sing-alongs.

For a quick breakfast on the way to the slopes, try Paradise Bakery ($) or Fuel (923-0091; $) for a breakfast burrito. Brothers Grille (923-8285; $-$$) has heaping helpings of morning food and The Big Hoss Grill (923-2597; $) serves everything from hearty "Hoss" breakfasts to barbeque-to-go.

Snowmass Village excels with mountaintop cookery. Gwyn’s High Alpine Restaurant (923-5188, reservations are essential), at the top of Alpine Springs (Lift 8), is among the best food in the region, on or off mountain. You can hike up for breakfast before the lifts open. Krabloonik (923-3953), mentioned earlier as a dinner choice, is also open for lunch. It's at the base of Campground off the Dawdler Catwalk. Another on-mountain option is Up 4 Pizza (923-0464; $) at the top of the Big Burn in Snowmass. For quick “power food,” head to one of the yurts near the snowboard halfpipes and the terrain park, or at the bottom of Assay Hill. At the Two Creeks base area, chorizo and egg burritos start the day at Two Creeks Mexican Cafe ($). Fajitas, taco salad and burritos are typical lunch fare. The Cirque Bar & Grill ($–$$), slopeside at the Snowmass Village Mall, has a buffet breakfast for a fast exit to the slopes in the morning, and a more leisurely sit-down lunch and dinner service.

For more dining options, see Aspen.

Dining Legend: $$$$–Entrees $30+; $$$–$20–$30; $$–$10–$20; $–less than $10