Colorado.com Staff Writer

<p>Almost-too-perfect scenes of pines silvered by frost and mountainsides blanketed in ivory — the chance to partake in some of Colorado’s most epic cold-season pursuits and gourmet eats make these bucket-list dining excursions worth tacking onto your itinerary.</p>


Adventurous Eats: Unforgettable Winter Dining Experiences

legacy_main_content_article_549686

Après Ski With the Best of 'Em

Enjoy Dinner From a Snowcat

Adventurous Restaurants

legacy_slideshow_article_549686

<h2><strong>Beano’s Cabin</strong></h2>
<p>An open-air sleigh pulled by a snowcat whisks bundled-up guests through <a href="/cities-and-towns/beaver-creek">Beaver Creek</a>’s aspen groves to <a href="/steakhouses/beano%27s-cabin">Beano's Cabin</a>, a swanky log hideaway, for a five-course supper prepared in an inviting, open kitchen. Coffee-spiced roasted venison and crumbly cobbler crowned with seasonal fruits and in-house ice cream are just a couple delights that may grace the menu.</p>
<h2><strong>Magic Meadows Yurt</strong></h2>
<p>Embark on a cross-country ski or snowshoe trip into the quiet backcountry of <a href="/cities-and-towns/crested-buttemt-crested-butte">Crested Butte</a> to the wood-burning-stove-heated <a href="https://www.cbnordic.org/yurt-dinners">Magic Meadows Yurt</a>, accessible only on skis or snowshoes via a 1-mile groomed trail through the Slate River Valley. Once you’re there, warm up with a cocktail made with local <a href="https://www.colorado.com/distilleries/montanya-distillers">Montanya Distillers</a> rum or a brew from <a href="https://www.colorado.com/breweries/elevation-beer-company">Elevation Beer Company</a> and tuck into a Colorado-inspired meal with groovy live music. </p>
<h2><strong>Golden Horseshoe Tour Co.</strong></h2>
<p>At <a href="/cities-and-towns/breckenridge">Breckenridge</a>'s <a href="/sleigh-ride/golden-horseshoe-tours">Golden Horseshoe Tour Co</a>., the family-friendly Mining Camp Dinner Theater Sleigh Rides include a 30-minute cruise through the White River National Forest in a cherry-red sleigh pulled by Belgian draft horses, a rustic dinner cooked on an antique wood stove and an interactive dinner show. This'll give visitors the chance to rub elbows with characters from Colorado’s frontier (think: mountain men and dance-hall girls played by spirited reenactors). </p>
<h2><strong>Tennessee Pass Nordic Center &amp; Cookhouse</strong></h2>
<p>In <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/leadville">Leadville</a>, a five-course feast, with options like Colorado rack of grilled elk with creamy potatoes au gratin, awaits those who snowshoe or cross-country ski 1 mile from the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center to the idyllic <a href="/cross-country-nordic-centers/tennessee-pass-nordic-center-cookhouse">Tennessee Pass Cookhouse</a>, perched at 10,800 feet. Extend your visit by booking a night in one of their super-cozy sleep yurts to rest your head in a handcrafted log bed. </p>
<h2><strong>Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro</strong></h2>
<p>Book a Snowcat Dinner at <a href="/cities-and-towns/aspen">Aspen</a>'s <a href="/cafe/cloud-nine-alpine-bistro">Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro</a> to be transported by open-air snowcat to an elegant Swiss restaurant in a picturesque cabin high in the Rockies. Ogle panoramas of the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/explore-maroon-bells-what-you-need-know">Maroon Bells</a>, two of Colorado’s most iconic and eye-catching fourteeners (peaks higher than 14,000 feet), while you treat yourself to bites like lobster and king-crab bouillabaisse and chocolate hazelnut cake laced with bananas-foster sauce. </p>
<h2><strong>Purgatory Snowcat Adventures</strong></h2>
<p>Take in <a href="/cities-and-towns/durango">Durango</a> views of the alpenglow on the Needles Mountains on an <a href="https://www.purgatory.ski/activities/snowcat-dining-excursions/">enclosed snowcat ride up to Powderhouse Restaurant</a> at <a href="/durango/purgatory-resort">Purgatory Resort</a>. Nurse a glass of mulled wine or Champagne, then relish a hearty five-course spread with hors d’oeuvres, fresh salad, a handcrafted soup, main course and dessert. </p>
<h2><strong>4 Eagle Ranch</strong></h2>
<p>Cuddle up for a sleigh ride to the soundtrack of horses trotting through fresh powder with bells jingling on their harnesses in <a href="/cities-and-towns/wolcott">Wolcott</a>. After sipping steamy hot cocoa and cider and chowing down on a bowl of chili from <a href="/farm-ranch-stays/4-eagle-ranch">4 Eagle Ranch</a>, cap off the evening with a serenade beside an open-hearth fire or an outdoor campfire (and a s'more or two). </p>
<h2>Two Below Zero Dinner Sleigh Rides</h2>
<p>Here's a <a href="/cities-and-towns/frisco">Frisco</a> experience you'll never forget — a classic <a href="https://dinnersleighrides.com/">wintry sleigh ride</a> followed by a hearty, three-course meal and live entertainment of the musical variety. Sup on a warming southwestern soup, followed by American classics like perfectly cooked steak, a buttery baked potato and sweet apple pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream.</p>
<h2>Brain Freeze: Icy Dessert Spots</h2>
<p>Here’s where to taste mouthwatering sweet treats that remind us of Colorado’s winter magic. </p>
<p>Delight in snowballs and snowshakes in flavors like wedding cake, dill pickle and lemon lime at <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/colorado-sno-balls-widefield">Colorado Sno-Balls</a> in Windfield (near <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/fort-carson">Fort Carson</a>).</p>
<p>Try taiyaki ice cream, a Japanese fish-shaped cake filled with a sweet filling and topped with silky soft serve in flavors like milk tea or matcha, at <a href="https://www.snowlcafe.com/">Snowl Cafe</a> in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/aurora">Aurora</a>.</p>
<p>Classic cones, shakes, sundaes and malts bring a smile to ice-cream lovers of all ages at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/family-restaurant/simkins-parlour">Simkins Parlour</a> in cute downtown <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/sterling">Sterling</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.highpointcreamery.com/">High Point Creamery</a> in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/denver">Denver</a> is known for inventive flavors like basil with blackberry swirl and cookies (three ways) and cream. Bonus: There are four locations around town.</p>
<p>Raspberry hibiscus and watermelon lime are two of the many fresh popsicle flavors at <a href="https://revolutionartisanpops.com/">Revolution Artisan Pops</a> in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/fort-collins">Fort Collins</a>, where you can also get stellar gelato.</p>
<p>The old-fashioned malts and shakes rule at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/bakeries-dessert/tutti-scoops">Tutti Scoops</a> in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/trinidad">Trinidad</a>, which also delivers velvety homemade ice cream in more than a dozen flavors.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.charliesfrozentreatshop.com/?fbclid=IwAR075jrMJ9zU7qMlTcSMaJeMuh5bz72ZLFEyGbTc0J5snDP796CSMqXaZLE">Charlie’s Frozen Treat Shop</a> in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/winter-park">Winter Park</a> has frozen yogurt, Italian ice, custard, gelato and a toppings bar with dozens of options (we can’t get enough of the salted-caramel gelato).</p>
<p>Indulge in shop-made oh-so-creamy ice cream at a neighborhood fave, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/casual-dining/bonnie-brae-ice-cream">Bonnie Brae Ice Cream</a> in Denver, where you'll enjoy flavors like peppermint, malted milk ball and cookie dough.</p>
<h2>Want More? </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorados-best-spicy-food">Warm up with these spicy foods</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/9-must-eat-foods-colorado">Don't miss these must-eat Colorado treats</a></p>
