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Lunch on the mountain is one of the joys of a ski holiday, and also one of its biggest daily costs. A sit down meal with drinks for a family of four at a busy mountain restaurant can easily cost more than your evening meal. The good news is there are plenty of ways to eat well for less, without giving up the sunny terrace entirely.
The short version
- Use the picnic rooms. Many French resorts have free indoor picnic rooms, often called a salle hors sac.
- Make your own lunch from a supermarket shop. It is the cheapest option by far.
- Eat earlier or later than the 12:30 rush for quicker service and a better choice of tables.
- Look for self service restaurants rather than waiter service.
- Ski back to the village for lunch, where prices are often lower than on the mountain.
- Save the big lunch for one special day.
Why mountain lunches cost so much
Everything has to be brought up the mountain, often by lift or snow vehicle, and restaurants have a short season to make their money. You are also paying for the view. The Post Office Ski Resort Report includes six on mountain lunches in its weekly cost comparison, which shows how much they add to the total.
Free picnic rooms
Many French resorts provide a salle hors sac, literally a room for food from your bag. These are indoor rooms, often near a lift station or at the bottom of the slopes, where you can sit down and eat your own lunch in the warm. Many are free.
In Alpe d’Huez, for example, the resort lists a free picnic room at the first section of the Pic Blanc gondola, at around 2,100 metres, with toilets and a panoramic view. The Alpe d’Huez tourist office has the details. Avoriaz’s tourist office also lists a picnic room at Montriond. Ask at the tourist office or check the resort website for locations and opening times when you arrive.
Facilities vary. Some have just tables and toilets, others have microwaves. Take everything you need, including cutlery and a bag for rubbish.
Making your own lunch
If you are self catering, making lunch is easy and quick. A few ideas that travel well in a backpack:
- Baguettes with ham, cheese or pâté, made in the morning.
- Wraps, which squash less than sandwiches.
- A flask of soup or hot chocolate, which feels like a luxury on a cold day.
- Cereal bars, nuts, fruit and chocolate for energy.
- Plenty of water. You dehydrate more quickly at altitude.
Shop at a supermarket in the valley on the way in if you can, as resort shops are more expensive. Our ski packing list includes a small backpack, which makes carrying lunch much easier.
Eating out for less
Choose self service
Most resorts have self service restaurants near the main lift stations. They are cheaper and faster than waiter service, and the food is usually perfectly good: pasta, burgers, soup and hot meals of the day.
Go back to the village
If your accommodation or a cheaper café is near the slopes, ski back down for lunch. Prices in the village are often lower than in the restaurants higher up.
Share and keep it simple
A plate of chips to share and a hot chocolate is often enough for children, especially if they have had a snack at ski school. Drinks add up quickly, so bring water.
Watch the timing
Mountain restaurants are busiest between around 12:00 and 13:30. Eating at 11:45 or after 13:30 means shorter queues, a better chance of a table and quieter slopes while everyone else is eating.
Treat yourself once
Most people want at least one long, sunny lunch on a terrace during their week. Plan it for a good weather day, book ahead if the restaurant takes bookings, and enjoy it. Saving money on the other days is what makes it affordable.
Start with step 1, choosing a resort, then work through our eight step ski holiday planner.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take a picnic on the slopes?
Yes. Many resorts have picnic rooms and outdoor picnic areas. Please do not eat your own food on a restaurant’s terrace.
Are picnic rooms free?
Many are, but not all. Check with the resort’s tourist office.
How much does lunch cost on the mountain?
It varies a lot by country and resort. France, Switzerland and Austria tend to be more expensive than Italy, Andorra or Bulgaria. Self service is usually much cheaper than waiter service.