The 7 Best Cookbooks for Skiers

Written by Swedish professional chef and former pro skier Lindor Wink, Snow Food shares 70 of his favorite winter dishes. Inspired by his time spent in the mountains, Wink's recipes are simple and easy for anyone to follow—but are definitely on the more difficult end of things for home cooks. For more about Wink’s story, check out this piece from the POWDER magazine archives.

From hearty nut loaves and crispbreads to yummy winter soups and salads to hearty traditional roasts and pasta plates for carboloading, Snow Food is full of crowd-pleasing dishes.

2. Beyond Skid: A Cookbook for Ski Bums

I’ll tell you a little more about Beyond Skid because, well, I wrote it. For anyone unfamiliar with the term “skid,” it’s Jackson Hole local speak for “ski bum.” Living in the Tetons, my partner Lily Krass Ritter and I found that we were growing tired of a mountain town food culture that revolved around staples like pizza, cheap ramen, and sad breakfast burritos, so we decided to do something about it.

The concept of Beyond Skid centers on showcasing creative, delicious meals that are quick and easy to make and won’t break the bank. We know you’d rather spend your money on lift tickets, snowmobile gas or an extra après beer than expensive groceries.

3. Alpine Cooking

Spend literally five minutes in the Alps, and you’ll learn that they absolutely have it figured out over there when it comes to food. The best part? The cuisine can vary greatly from country to country, meaning there’s a huge variety of flavors to try from France through Switzerland, Germany and Austria, all the way down to Italy.

Alpine Cooking is a deep dive into the world of food culture in the mountainous regions of the countries, featuring not just over 80 classic recipes, but also in-depth storytelling, history, and pages of beautiful photography of the Alps.

4. Après All Day

As any skier knows, après is a state of mind. Love the food you find at your favorite on-mountain haunt? You’ll love what you’ll find in Kelley Epstein’s Après All Day.

Filled with over 60 delicious and easy-to-make recipes—from classics like apple pie oatmeal to more adventurous options like a Kitchen Sink Skillet Cookie—there’s something for everyone in here. Pack this book with you on your next ski trip, and get ready to impress your crew with your chef skills.

5. Fondue & Raclette: Indulgent Recipes for Melted Cheese, Stock Pots & More

A cornerstone of French and Swiss alpine cuisine, fondue and raclette actually come in many forms. Check out the huge variety of melting pot recipes in Fondue & Raclette to re-create the classic flavors of the French and Swiss Alps. Of course, it’s not just about cheese here! There are plenty of creative options like a sweet chocolate, orange and chilli fondue, or hearty broth-based ones.

6. Alpine Flavours: Authentic Recipes From the Dolomites, the Heart of the Alps

I can say that, without a doubt, the best food I’ve ever tasted was in South Tyrol, in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. The coolest part? I was surrounded by stunningly beautiful peaks towering above me, with world-class skiing all around.

The food of this corner of Northern Italy draws on a culinary tradition that is hundreds of years old, influenced by the necessities of rustic farm food. It's this wonderful combination of Italian and Austrian cuisine, filled with noodles, pizza, knödel, roasts, and more. Alpine Flavours is written in both Italian and English and features 80 traditional and easy-to-prepare recipes that are sure to impress. 

7. Feed Zone Portables

For any mountain athlete, you’ll know that food is fuel, and if your fuel doesn’t taste good and make you feel good, it’s pretty much worthless. That’s why Dr. Allen Lim (the man behind Boulder, CO-based sports nutrition brand Skratch Labs) teamed up with chef Biju Thomas and wrote down all their favorite recipes for delicious and deceptively simple, on-the-go food and published Feed Zone Portables. This one is full of excellent snacks to fill your pockets with and whip out on the chairlift, skintrack, or in the car on the way to the hill.