It's no secret that the key to a great ski day must end with great apres. With a well-rounded culinary scene in Banff and Lake Louise, this pairing is a given. Charcuterie boards are often touted as the holy grail of shareable snacks. They give you a little bit of everything - sweet, savoury, and endless textures - all while being hearty enough to satiate all who share.
In Banff National Park we're no stranger to the key ingredients that complete a board, with many of the cured meats, preserves, and fruits sourced from our very own province or neighbouring British Columbia. Valbella Meats in Canmore supplies many of these restaurants with their cuts, which means you can even create them at home for yourself.
Here are our top picks for apres charcuterie after a day on the slopes!
Located mid-mountain at Lake Louise Ski Resort, Whitehorn Bistro is the perfect place to end your day or take an afternoon ski break. But take the latter with caution - with beautiful panoramic views of the valley below you may find it hard to muster the enthusiasm to head back out. Their Rocky Mountain Tasting Platter for Two features bison tartar with cured egg yolk, in-house smoked duck breast, roasted bone marrow with asiago cheese and shitake crisps, aged prosciutto, spanish chorizo alongside olives, house-made preserves & assorted crisps.
From the heart of Banff Sunshine Village, you'll find Eagle's Nest Canadian Bistro located in Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Rated as one of the best ski resort restaurants in Canada by Food Network Canada, here you can take fine dining to the mountain top as you settle in to your exquisite dining experience complete with top views of the surrounding ski resort. Their charcuterie lodge platter features local cured meats, house pickles, an artisan cheese accoutrement and crostini.
Photo by Graham Twomey.
This tucked away gem at Fairmont Banff Springs takes charctuerie to a new level. Their curated selection of house-cured meats and artisan cheeses paired perfectly with their pantry of preserves. And the best part? They have a wide selection of wine to pair beautifully. Featuring delicious pâtés, candied salmon, freshly baked breads and delicious pickled vegetables, and a charming historic atmosphere, this is an experience not to be missed.
Photo by Noel Hendrickson.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise's Lakeview Lounge is the quintessential dining location for classic views of Lake Louise. Located just a fifteen-minute drive from Lake Louise Ski Resort. Their artisan platter for two features local charcuterie, Canadian cheese, pickled vegetables, assorted jam and chutney, mustard, baguette & lavosh.
Serving handcrafted, seasonal cuisine from scratch, the Juniper Bistro has an entire menu for grazing alone featuring several charcuterie items as stand-alone plates. From chicken liver pate to bone marrow to wild B.C. mushrooms, you know their granddaddy of charcuteries is going to be good. Featuring selection of Valbella meats, Canadian and import cheeses, house pickled vegetables, and warm bread and polenta crisps, this serving is great for sharing while taking in views of Mt. Rundle from their outdoor patio.
Photo courtesy of the Juniper Hotel + Bistro.
Ready to book your winter vacation to Banff National Park? Our friendly Reservations Team are always happy to share their local knowledge and experience to help you find the best vacation package for your style and budget. You can reach them by calling 1-844-754-2443.
