28 Dec RE:Treat, Off the Cuff: Healthy Ski Snacks
Chicago native Lucy Perutz grew up skiing in Telluride with her parents on family ski vacations. Having very quickly realized she was way more Telluride than Second City, after graduating college in Vermont two years ago, Lucy decided to make our box canyon her permanent home. Lucy, a passionate foodie, has spent her time in Telluride whipping up locally sourced, organic deliciousness for hungry, high altitude mountain dwellers, first at the restaurant she founded, Rabbit Rabbit, and now as a private chef and for Petite RE:treat, a joint venture with RE:treat, the relatively new, Telluride-based yoga-inspired lifestyle adventure company offering first-class outings (or retreats) in the mountains of Telluride and similar locales abroad. Petite RE:treat offers locals and guests invigorating yoga, relaxing massage and – thanks to Lucy – delicious and nutritious locally sourced taste treats, as below in Lucy’s first blog for Telluride Inside… and Out about Healthy Ski Snacks.
‘Tis the season for long ski days and abrupt hunger pangs. We all know how it goes, you’ve been skiing all day long (gotta utilize that $100 daily ski pass to it’s fullest) and as soon as you stop for just a second, it hits. The big bad hunger. As we’ve already spent more than we’d like to share on our ski pass and winter accommodations, the thought of buying a $14 grilled cheese for you and each member of your super ravenous ski party is sounding quite unfavorable.
Feed that magnificently powerful body of yours something better. Start craving something better for your wallet and your body. After all, we must nourish those overworked joints, muscles and minds with foods that will replenish, not deplete. For those of us coming up from sea level, we’ve got to be extra smart about what we’re putting into our bodies. 
First off, water. Water. Water. I recommend stopping as often as you need for water, there should be places all along your ski resort where you can easily chug a few glasses and keep going. If you’re in the backcountry or can’t be bothered to stop, these waterbottles from Vapur are great. They pack flat, dont’ leak, are inexpensive, BPA free, and won’t give you bulky jacket syndrome.
Once you’re hydrated, we can talk snacks. Here are my top 5 snacks to stick in your pocket and pull out right when the hunger is dire:
1. Clementines- These things are a little succulent pocket of magic on the slopes. Not only are they inexpensive and tasty, but are full of fiber and hydrating juice that will not only ward of hunger for a little bit longer but also keep you from getting that terrible dry mouth feeling when you’re huffing and puffing the hardest.
2. PB & J/Honey/Almond Butter/Banana– I remember the good old days when Mom would pull one of these infamous saviors from her pocket, there’s nothing like it. A little bit of sweet, a little savory, and wholly satisfying. The combinations are endless. Try making a sandwich with almond butter, cinnamon, a little honey, and sliced apples for something a little different. If you go the gluten-free route, I really dig Food For Life breads. They’re vegan, gluten-free, flavorful, hold their shape and are even better straight from the toaster. Plus, their bread is slightly smaller than other breads so you can eat a sandwich & keep skiing without feeling weighed down.
3. Bananas- not such a good idea. Banana bread, much better- Bananas are pretty much the coolest food in my opinion. They’re filling, tasty, give you a nice little kick of potassium for tired muscles and of course, the coolest and best color on the planet. But they have one downfall, super squishy not so tumble-resistant on that double black (or double green) ski run. Take your speckly bananas and turn them into this amazing bread, made with applesauce instead of eggs and coconut oil instead of butter.
High Altitude Banana Bread
3 ripe bananas (the specklier, the better)
1/4 cup room temperature coconut oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 cups flour (try 1/2 spelt, 1/2 wheat flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 scored & scraped vanilla bean
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cacao nibs or chocolate chips for that chocolate satiation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar, you will see bubbling and some interesting action going on, this is good news. In a standing mixer, blend the bananas until mushy, add the coconut oil and applesauce. Slowly add your milk & vinegar mixture. Next, add each dry ingredient in increments as to not make a terrible mess of the kitchen. Slow your mixer and carefully incorporate your walnuts and chocolate product of choice. Baked until golden brown and amazing– about 35-40 minutes.
4. Fruit Bars– I like to keep things light on the slopes. I’m not the best at eating a big helping of food in a warm lodge and then getting back on the mountain. I usually end up slumped over on a friends shoulder, too warm and sleepy to even imagine getting back out there. I like to eat just enough to not 
feel the hunger, I find that a few complex carbohydrates (fruit, yes!) is the best way to give myself just enough of a boost to finish out the day– then have that much deserved apres ski meal. Try fruit leathers or my new favorite, That’s It fruit bars.
5. Baby Burritos!- If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, burritos are the way to go in my book. Fill them with endless combinations including local scrambled eggs, black beans, local goat cheese, baked sweet potato, sauteed kale, jarred organic salsas & brown rice for a real quick, healthy and delicious fix.
More than anything, listen to your body and take in a few deep breaths before scarfing down the average ski food fare. Food is fuel. Food is nourishment. Food can be both delicious and satisfying.
More soon from Petite RE:treat…
Editor’s note:
And here are the upcoming body/mind adventures from RE:treat:
Telluride – Women’s Winter Wellness Yoga + Ski R:treat
Feb 18-22, 2015
Hotel Madeline, Mountain Village
4 nights/3 days of yoga, spa + skiing in breathtaking Telluride, Colorado. Just voted by Conde Nast as the #1 ski area in North America (for the 3rd year in a row), Telluride is famous for its majestic beauty, quaint Victorian town & friendly locals.
http://www.elevatedretreat.com/2015-schedule/2014/2/19/womens-winter-wellness-yoga-ski-retreat
Telluride – Backcountry Bella Yoga + Ski RE:treat
March 1-6, 2015
Viking Lodge, Telluride
Join us in beautiful Telluride for this women’s intro to backcountry yoga + ski retreat. Learn the basics of backcountry skiing such as equipment, ski techniques + safety as well as practicing alpine friendly yoga with other like-minded ladies.
http://www.elevatedretreat.com/2015-schedule/2014/4/1/backcountry-babes-ski-yoga
Italy: Yoga + Hiking In The Italian Dolomites
Sept 6-13
http://www.elevatedretreat.com/2015-schedule/dolomites
Relais & Châteaux Hotel Rosa Alpina, San Cassiano, Alta Badia – Dolomites, Italy
Austria: Unwind + Transform Yoga + Hike RE:treat in Austria
Sept 1-6
SOAMI Yoga Retreat Centre
http://www.elevatedretreat.com/2015-schedule/2015/9/1/unwind-transform-yoga-hike-retreat-in-austria
Greece
Greek Goddess Luxury Yoga RE:treat
October 1-7
Relais & Chateaux Hotel Kirini Suites, Santorini, Greece
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