Ski Hard, Eat Well

Prepping hut-trip meals.

’Tis the season for strapping on your skis (or a splitboard) and trekking off to backcountry huts where the powder is deep, the nights are long, and the food is everything. Let’s be real—backcountry travelers love to eat. What you pack can make or break your trip, whether it be a cushy group outing or a fast-and-light mission.

Stocking Up
What’s the vibe of your trip? If you’re with a big crew looking for a cozy experience, go heavy. Pack in fresh food, charcuterie, and fun beverages. Spread the load among the group, and you can enjoy gourmet meals without too much suffering in the skintrack.

For sufferfests, it’s time to lighten the load. Freeze-dried meals, instant grains, and powdered drink mixes are lifesavers. Snack smart with nut butters, energy bars, dried fruit, and jerky for quick refuels.

Onsite Amenities
Before you go full Iron Chef, know what the hut already has. Many well-traveled huts come stocked with stoves, pots, and pans. More remote huts may require you to pack lightweight gear like a Jetboil or a small stove.

Consider drinking water. If the hut doesn’t have potable water, you’ll need to boil water or melt snow. Be prepared with a filter or strainer to remove sediment if the hut doesn’t provide one.

For a hut party, go big! Pasta with sauce & sausage, curry, taco night, pancakes, or breakfast burritos. Don’t forget dessert—cast-iron cookies or crumbles are great.

Group Size
For smaller groups (2-4 people), one-pot meals like stews or pasta are easy and minimize cleanup. Larger groups need more coordination. Assign roles: appetizers, main dish, dessert—this way, everyone eats well without overwhelming one person.

Meal Ideas
For a hut party, go big! Pasta with sauce & sausage, curry, taco night, pancakes, or breakfast burritos. Don’t forget dessert—cast-iron cookies or crumbles are great.

On lighter missions, stick to simple, nutrient-dense meals. Try instant oats with dried fruit and nut butter for breakfast, and wraps with cheese and salami or tuna packets for lunch. Dehydrated and quick-cooking grains, like couscous or ramen, are good options for dinner that will fuel you without slowing you down.

Plan Ahead
A little prep can make your trip more efficient. Pre-mix pancake batter, crack eggs into a container ahead of time, pre-cut veggies, and marinate proteins in sealed bags to save time and reduce trash once at the hut.

Nutrition Focus
As a dietitian, I recommend focusing on macronutrient balance—carbs, fats, and protein are key to keeping your energy up, especially at altitude. Hydration is critical, too—stay on top of water and electrolytes to maintain performance and recovery.

Ultimately, your hut-ski meals aren’t just about eating well—they’re fuel for your adventure. Plan smart, and you’ll be ready for whatever the mountains throw your way.

Rachel Nawrocki is a Registered Dietitian and fitness trainer at the Mountain Project in Bozeman.