Northwest powder hounds know British Columbia’s Powder Highway as a destination for winter adventures. The highway links eight ski resorts, all on the province’s eastern edge. With great skiing tends to come great dining — and the highway’s Panorama Mountain Resort is one standout. Dining options range from village-based restaurants to one-of-a-kind mountainside experiences. Here’s where to point your skis for top-notch après experiences on the mountain.
Fuel up at ElevenFifty
A reliable standby in the village, ElevenFifty skews casual with comfort food like homemade pasta, pizzas and a hearty buffet breakfast. This is the sort of restaurant that has something for everyone, but it’s all well executed, from the burrata and beet salad to the braised meatballs to the beef carpaccio. ElevenFifty doesn’t skimp on the wine list, either: Many pours come from British Columbia’s respected Okanagan Valley.
Try a Snowcat Food Truck
Why not turn a souped-up snowcat into a food truck and park it slopeside? Panorama has done just that with Snowlicious, a snowcat that serves grab-and-go food, perfect for eating on the go without having to step off the slopes. Think BBQ pulled pork tacos, jackfruit carnitas tacos, grilled cheese panini and hot pretzels with beer and cheese dip. For those imbibing, there’s also Prosecco, shot skis, wine, beer and cider. The snowcat can also support a sound system and DJ booth on its lid, taking the party with it wherever it rumbles.
Dining with a View
It’s no surprise that Cliffhanger Restaurant is a popular wedding venue, with its large windows that look out over the ski slopes and — when the snow melts — Panorama’s golf course. Warmer months bring patio seating, but dining inside in winter means thawing out over wide-ranging Canadian dishes. You’ll even find yourself looking at a marble dining table and 6 chairs for your home in order to replicate the gorgeous interiors here. Chef Jamil Rhemtulla have created an ode to Canada’s diverse regions, using ingredients like mussels from Prince Edward Island, fish from coastal BC and beef from Alberta.
Ski-in Raclette Dinner
Cozy, wood-clad Elkhorn Cabin is perched partway down the ski slopes. The historic structure specializes in Swiss-style raclette dinners, which involve grilling your own food at the table. Choose combinations of vegetables, meat, pickles and sauces, and melt cheese over it all in a miniature skillet. The cabin also has a bar with British Columbia wines and local beers. After dinner, you have the option of skiing down the mountain with the light from your headlamp, or taking the “snowcat limousine” back to the village.
End with a Night Cap
Late night cocktail and snack cravings are satisfied at CABIN Smokehouse, in the village. A long list of originals complement the classics here, and the spirits play nicely with meats smoked in house, like chicken wings, smokehouse ribs, smoked chicken stir-fry and a 14-hour brisket melt. Communal tables, live music and a patio for warm weather all help make this place a great hangout. There’s also mulled wine in the winter, and sangria in the summer.
