This Little-Known Vail Perk Could Save You $20 or More on Lunch

Skiing isn’t exactly a budget-friendly sport. Between lift tickets, equipment rentals, and overpriced on-mountain meals, the costs can add up quickly. But tucked away at one of Colorado’s most famous ski resorts is an unexpected way to save money on lunch. Instead of spending a small fortune at an on-mountain restaurant, skiers can bring their own meats and grill them slopeside.

My husband and I have done exactly that; we packed our own meat for a midday cookout between runs at Vail Ski Resort. It’s one of those experiences that feels almost too good to be true, especially at a resort where even a casual lunch comes with a price.

And while saving money is certainly part of the appeal, there’s something special about taking a break from skiing to grill your own lunch surrounded by the Rocky Mountains.

How to Grill Your Own Lunch at Vail

Located in Blue Sky Basin, Belle’s Camp offers a different kind of dining experience. Rather than ordering from a menu, guests can bring their own food and use the public grills to prepare lunch.

“Belle’s Camp is meant to be a different kind of on-mountain dining experience,” says Kevin Delonay, Vail Mountain’s senior director of food and beverage. “Guests bring their own food, gather with friends and family, and make lunch part of their day in Blue Sky Basin.”

It’s a surprisingly simple concept. Pack whatever you’d like to eat, carry it with you while skiing, and head to Belle’s Camp when you’re ready for lunch. Burgers, hot dogs, and steaks are all possibilities, although you’ll want to consider how easily your food can be transported in a backpack.

Visitors should also pack whatever they need to enjoy their meal, including any necessary utensils, condiments, and other supplies. Since you’re carrying everything onto the mountain, keeping things simple can make the experience much easier.

The grills are available during Belle’s Camp operating hours when Blue Sky Basin is open, although availability is subject to mountain operations and weather conditions.

“There are plenty of places at Vail where we cook the meal for you,” Delonay says. “Belle’s is special because we provide the setting and guests create the experience themselves.”

How Much Money Can You Save?

One of the biggest advantages of grilling your own lunch is the potential savings, especially for families or groups skiing together.

At Vail, a typical on-mountain cafeteria lunch can cost around $20 per person, while a more upscale dining experience can cost considerably more. At The 10th, Vail’s full-service restaurant at the top of Gondola One, a Wagyu cheeseburger is listed at $45. For a family of four, a lunch on the mountain could add up to $80 to $180 before drinks or other extras.

Keep reading: Everything You Need To Know About The Hottest New Ski Lunch Trend

Instead, visitors can stop at a grocery store before their ski day and stock up on ingredients for a fraction of the cost. For example, a pack of hot dogs, buns, and a few toppings could feed several people for around $15 to $20. Burgers are another relatively inexpensive option, while those looking to make lunch more of an occasion can bring steaks.

Of course, the exact savings depend on what you purchase and how many people are in your group. But for families or friends already spending hundreds of dollars on lift tickets, rentals, and other ski expenses, packing lunch is one of the easiest ways to cut costs.

And unlike eating a cold sandwich on a chairlift, grilling your own meal gives you a chance to sit down, relax, and enjoy a warm meal on the mountain with a new sense of appreciation.

A Vail Tradition That’s Spread The Old-Fashioned Way

Despite being one of the resort’s more unusual experiences, Belle’s Camp isn’t necessarily something every first-time visitor knows about.

According to Delonay, much of its popularity has developed organically, with skiers introducing their friends and family to the experience.

“Belle’s Camp has really grown through word of mouth, and I think that’s part of its charm,” he says. “People discover it, bring their friends back and start their own traditions.”

That’s part of what makes the experience so memorable. Some visitors might stop for a quick burger between runs, while others turn lunch into a full-blown gathering with friends.

“We see everything from a simple lunch with friends to groups that really turn it into an occasion,” Delonay says. “That creativity is part of what makes Belle’s so much fun.”

For my husband and me, grilling lunch at Belle’s Camp was a fun change from the typical ski resort dining experience. It’s not every day you get to cook your own meal in the middle of one of the country’s most famous ski resorts.

Vail Isn’t the Only Colorado Ski Resort With Public Grills

If you love grilling your own lunch on the mountain, Vail isn’t your only option in Colorado.

Loveland Ski Area, near the Continental Divide, also lets skiers bring their own food and cook lunch without visiting a traditional restaurant.

The resort has four on-mountain cabins that the public can use for free, each equipped with propane grills. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to pack their own food and prepare a meal during their ski day.

It’s a particularly appealing option for families and groups who want a warm lunch without paying on-mountain restaurant prices. But beyond the savings, it’s also a fun way to slow down and enjoy a different side of skiing.

After all, some of the most memorable moments on the mountain don’t happen on the slopes. Sometimes, they’re as simple as grilling lunch with friends and family between runs.

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