Keeping your kids happy while skiing is about much more than what happens on the slopes. Keeping them warm, well-fed, and happy are the foundations of a good ski day. While cocoa breaks with little ones are practically mandatory, making sure your kids eat a good lunch is almost guaranteed to keep everyone enjoying the slopes longer! With so many different dining options at Solitude, we’ve broken down where the best food is, where you’ll find the best deals, and, perhaps most importantly, where to get the best après ski treat to bribe your kids with!
#1 Last Chance Southwest Grill
This is our favorite spot to eat on the mountain with kids. That’s because it’s typically less crowded than Moonbeam Lodge and the food is AWESOME! You’ll find your typical mountain grill with burgers and chicken, plus a variety of soups and salads — but the Southwest food is what makes Last Chance really shine.
With the ability to mix and match your proteins, add-ons, and sauces, this is a great option for keeping the whole crew happy. As far as kid-friendly options go, all of our kids are big fans of the burritos and tacos at Last Chance, which they can customize just the way they like. For kids’ portions, the burrito is generous and can easily be shared. The taco meal comes with three tacos and is a perfect plate for our younger kids to split. Because everything is made to order, you can get the kids something mild with chicken, plus something spicy with pork or shrimp for the adults.
Before you leave, don’t forget to wrap up your meal with a giant cookie. The white chocolate and macadamia nut won’t disappoint. You could choose to share it right with the meal, or enjoy half now and save the other half for the chairlift mid-afternoon.
#2 Stone Haus Pizzeria & Creamery
If we’re looking to get something that won’t cost a fortune AND that everyone is guaranteed to eat (because what kid doesn’t love a pizza and ice cream shop?), this is the spot we head for.
While Stone Haus technically isn’t ON MOUNTAIN, it’s only a few steps beyond the slopes in Solitude Village and absolutely worth the walk as it has the absolute best deals on food at Solitude. For just $6, you can get a 16oz bowl of soup. Our whole family loves the hearty potato bacon soup. It’s just about filling enough to be an entire meal for an adult, and most kids would be filled up on the 12oz cup of soup for just $5.50.
If you’ve got a picky eater, they even have a kids’ menu featuring PB&J and turkey sandwiches. Large pizzas start at $18.95, and subs are only $11.50.
But you know what is the real gem? The brownie ice cream sundae! Think of it as the perfect way to reward your kids for a GREAT day of skiing. Insider tip: if you ask, they will heat up the brownie before they make the sundae…and it’s simply AMAZING!
#3 Honeycomb Grill
Honeycomb Grill sets itself apart from the other dining options because it’s an actual sit-down restaurant.
If you’re looking for a great kids’ menu, this is the absolute best on the mountain (if you don’t see the kids’ menu advertised, just ask!)
It’s got the best portions and quality of food that is designed for kids. While at most restaurants, kids typically graduate from the kids’ menu around age 9, this is a kids’ menu that will keep your kids happy and full easily until age 12. The burger ($8) is as big as a normal adult-sized burger, and my always-hungry 11-year-old said it’s the best burger he’s ever had. The chicken fingers are so tasty that my husband kept stealing bites of them from the kids! Unlike the other dining options on the mountain, which typically serve everything à la carte, these kids’ meals all include a salad or fries. That way, you can use the money you’d be spending on a giant order of fries and get a nice meal for yourself. I’d recommend the pork chops or bison chili for a cold day. If you’re looking for something light, the chopped salad is my absolute favorite!
With giant windows, comfortable seating, and a perfect patio in the spring, you might have a hard time pulling yourself away to engage the slopes again after lunch. While the average meal cost is a bit higher than other dining options at Solitude (about $20 for adults), the quality makes it well worth it.
One thing to note: if you aren’t quite ready for blue terrain, you will need to follow the signs back to Link chairlift and the Moonbeam base area after your lunch at Honeycomb Grill. Take the short walk back or hop on the shuttle that runs between Solitude Village and the Moonbeam base area, where beginner runs are located. Apex Express chairlift (nearest Honeycomb Grill), does not serve any green runs. Note that you can still access Last Chance, Honeycomb Grill, and Stone Haus from Solitude Village base area or the top of Link.
#4 Moonbeam Lodge
This is easily the most popular lodge on the mountain and the one that most visitors will use because of its proximity to the main parking lot, beginner terrain, and ski school. While it can be extra-crowded at lunch, it’s easy to find a table outside the main rush (typically from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). Moonbeam Lodge is our favorite place for a quick break from the ski day.
My younger kids always look forward to coming in here for a break because they know that it means french fries and cocoa by the fire. But when you’re ready for a meal, there are plenty of options, too! Moonbeam is well-known for taking kid-friendly meals and dressing them up so that adults enjoy them, too. The mac and cheese is topped with caramelized onions and bacon, and their hot dog is a fully-loaded chili dog with a side salad. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a midday burger to fuel your afternoon (burgers here are a great size for splitting among kids). And for a more grown-up taste for parents, I’m pretty sure you can’t go wrong with the flank steak or the grilled salmon!
The best way to end the day at the Moonbeam lodge? With a slice of carrot cake eaten right on the hearth. The kids beg me to buy them one every time we come; among the five of them, they inhale it in under a minute! It’s seriously SO GOOD!
Tips for stress-free dining at Solitude:
1. Eat before 11:30 a.m. or after 1:00 p.m. On-hill and base area restaurants are the most crowded between these times; you’ll be waiting in long lines, and empty tables will be harder to find. So either head in early and grab a treat to throw in your pocket for a mid-afternoon snack, or grab a snack beforehand and take a late lunch.
2. Figure out what your kids want, and then have them wait at the table while you get their food (if they’re old enough). Walking around in ski boots is hard enough without trying to balance a whole tray of food and a steaming cup of cocoa. Let them take a break and do the balancing for them.
3. Decide what your family wants to eat ahead of time. If everyone’s in the mood for pizza, you don’t want to end up at Moonbeam Lodge when Stone Haus would have been your best bet. Take some time at the beginning of the day to decide where you want to eat so you can plan your ski runs accordingly.