We have all had that day when a granola bar on the chair for lunch just won’t cut it. We have also had those epic days on the slopes when you need to relive the day with your crew over a pint and some good chow. That’s when it’s time to hit up some of the great gastro options on the way home from our local mountains.

After sliding the snowy line between Montana and Idaho at Lookout Pass, there are many ever-improving dining options in Wallace to choose from. City Limits Pub in combination with North Idaho Mountain Brew is a recent go to. A taster flight, soft pretzel, and Cuban make a great combination. If you’re looking for a quicker bite that can entertain all ages with great décor, try a burger at Red Light Garage.

Boot packing up Wardner Peak at Silver Mountain can build up quite an appetite. Luckily Coeur d’Alene is known for many good options, including Moon Time. The spicy curried cashews and moon burger pair well with anything from their craft beer list. If you are in a hurry and can make it little farther down the road to Post Falls, there is a delicious chicken sandwich waiting for you at Popeyes.

Sometimes after pounding the glades at 49, it is hard to remember to slow down as you enter Chewelah. But you should not forget to check out Sporty’s, which has great service, an extensive menu including wings (of course), wraps, and a magic mushroom burger. If gas station food doesn’t scare you, the Spoko Fuel on the way out of town has some surprisingly good hot items. If you are looking for a classic, try the Clayton Drive In.

After a day of skiing the steeps under the ghost of Snow Ghost at Schweitzer, MickDuff’s Brew Pub is a classic spot in downtown Sandpoint. Or you can bring your own food or food from another restaurant into Mick Duff’s Beer Hall just two blocks away. If you are looking for a quality, quick, and affordable burger to get you home, try Serv-A-Burger at the north end of town or Paul Bunyan’s in Pondery. 

Spokane, of course, has a myriad of options. It is hard to beat the price point of Altilano’s burritos. If you are looking for a great pint list and deals on wings or tacos, check out the nightly specials at the Viking. 

The post 14 Places to Crush Your Post-Ski Cravings appeared first on Out There Venture.

Ingredients:

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups powdered milk

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder

Pinch of chili powder

Chocolate hazelnut spread or smooth nut butter

Marshmallows

Directions: Combine all dry ingredients in a jar or waterproof container and shake to mix. Add 3-4 heaping spoonfuls of the mix, along with a dollop of the spread or nut butter, to a 10 to 12-ounce mug. Pour hot water, just off boil, over the top. Stir until smooth, top with a toasted marshmallow, and enjoy!

Tips: Add a packet of instant specialty coffee to the mix for a quick, sumptuous mocha. Mix your drink in a French press and pump the press to create a frothy head.

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The toddy originated in Scotland and Ireland where it was traditionally consumed before retiring for the night in cold and wet seasons. If Scotland and Ireland know two things, it’s cold weather and whiskey. The name hot toddy can be a catch-all name for drinks mixed with hot water, honey, lemon, liquor, and sometimes teas or spices.

This beverage is meant to cure whatever ails you. The honey and lemon help soothe the sore throat from whooping in the woods all day. The warming heat of whiskey opens up the airway, allowing you to breath in more of the fresh mountain air. And just holding the glass brings life back to cold fingers.

Now I may be partial to a pocket beer or thermos for those long days ski touring, but it wasn’t too hard to make the trip to five ski resort bars to sample this warming elixir. I like mine to have a nice balance of lemon tart and sweetness with a forward note of smoky, effervescent whiskey. When I make them at home, I add a cinnamon stick or a dash of nutmeg.

To help with an unbiased review, I asked for well whiskey and brought along a friend.

49 Degrees North

Ordering the toddy at the Boom Town Bar turned into an exercise in perseverance, more for the bartender than for me. She diligently opened at least six single serving packets of honey for our two drinks. The toddy had a generous pour of Canadian whiskey that added good warmth to an already hot drink. My drinking companion enjoyed sitting out on the patio watching his son finish ski lessons. His opinion: “Well, I like anything with whiskey.”

Mt. Spokane

The Foggy Bottom is not a full-service bar, but they do have wine-based cocktail mixes to help satisfy your mixed-drink needs. My bartender muddled a number of lemon wedges into a mason jar. Just looking at the size of the glass I knew I was in for it. The wine-based whiskey gave the slightest hint of whiskey flavor but not quite the lung feel. This toddy was like sipping a nice hot country tea. My drinking companion chose to go for an IPA. His opinion: “Why break tradition; besides, whiskey isn’t my thing.”

Schweitzer

I settled up to the bar at the new Sky House summit lodge with some friends after they dropped their 5 year old off for a play date on the magic carpet. The bartender mixed our toddies in Irish coffee glasses using Potters whiskey, which added a nice caramel undertone to the drink. Having never had a toddy before, my drinking companion thought it a little sweet for her pallet and asked for extra lemon slices.

Silver Mountain

Walking into the open, welcoming space of Mogul’s Lounge after too many tree laps was a welcome reprieve, especially after we got our hot toddies and rested our weary legs. Mogul’s poured the fittingly-titled Idaho Gold Canadian Whiskey with muddled lemons and just the right amount of honey. Now it may have been my powder-addled brain, but this toddy tasted the closest to my homemade recipe, and it was the least expensive. 

Lookout Pass

Sometime Ullur smiles down at you, and sometimes this Norse god of snow says you have had enough. My visit to Lookout was on a beautiful bluebird day, complete with German brats and a St. Paul’s at lunch. But right before the last run to the Loft Pub, a knee got tweaked and instead of a hot toddy there was a visit to ski patrol. This leaves an objective for another day when deadlines are not looming and a toddy can be sipped at leisure.

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