Ski Vacation Meal Plan on a Budget

It’s fun to get your family outside during the winter. Skiing is a great activity that everyone can do together. But let’s be honest, it’s expensive! Lift tickets, equipment, and travel are costly enough, add food and it’s a huge expense. 

Not to mention that you are on vacation, why deal with complicated dinners? Going out is wonderful but it’s expensive and plus you are tired, oh so tired. You aren’ away to cook, you are there to enjoy time as a family.

Want a ski vacation meal plan on a budget?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

Why Meal Plan for a Ski Trip?

You may be thinking, can’t I just wing it? Well for sure you can. But if you want to save money and time, it’s best to have a plan. Especially when you are in a vacation destination, grocery stores can be far away and, depending on the location, items can cost much more than home. Plus it’s frustrating enough to stand in front of your refrigerator trying to figure out what’s for dinner, imagine doing that in front of a fridge in someone else’s kitchen?

If you want to save time and money, it’s best to have a meal plan. 

But where to start? Whether you have already mastered our Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning and are a complete pro or have never meal planned before aka a “noob” as my kids call me whenever they can, there are certain things to consider when cooking on vacation. 

How to Create A Meal Plan for A Ski Vacation on a Budget

When you are planning meals for a vacation it’s very different than doing so at home. Specifically for cold weather vacations, you are looking for hearty, warm meals that will fill you up. Plus, you are going to be out and about all day so you need simple meals that everyone will eat. Add in a rental kitchen where you aren’t sure what tools are provided and the thought of cooking is daunting, to say the least. I get it! But it’s totally doable and, dare I say that with a plan, it’s easy! 

Ski Trip Meal Planning Tips:

1. First things first, download our Ski Trip Meal Planner to keep track of your meals. When planning, think about any days you will be going out to eat. Cross those meals off of your list.
2. Consider what’s in a rental kitchen. There are often limited utensils and tools. I have a list below to help you prepare. It’s best not to pick a complicated meal that needs a ton of knives, pots, etc..
3. For breakfasts, you want super simple and hearty meals. It’s a workout to just get everyone out the door, cook a complicated breakfast and you may not make it out before dinner!
4. Lunches you are probably going to pack them up and eat at the lodge. Think healthy and portable. Don’t forget to pack lunch boxes and thermoses.
5. For dinners, go with the basics. You do not want to make a bunch of different dinners so that everyone has something to eat. Make your own dinners are great here. Think tacos, pitas, etc. 
6. Don’t forget the snacks! My family loves Cliff bars. It’s the perfect amount of fuel to keep us going between meals plus they fit in your pocket.  They are really easy to eat as you are waiting for the lift. Costco has them in bulk for half the price of grocery stores. 

Budget Meal Ideas for Ski Trip

Are you thinking, just tell me what to eat? Here are some healthy, budget-friendly options for your ski trip meal plan.

Breakfast 

• Make a batch of oatmeal overnight oats before you go. It is just $6 for a large can of McCann’s Irish Oats which will feed your family for a week. They are easily served cold or you can heat it up in the morning, add some fruit and you are on your way. Cookie and Kate have a great article on how to make them. We just omit the chia seeds to make it kid-friendly.  If my kids see black or green things in food it’s not a good scene.
• If you don’t have time to make overnight oats, grab a box of instant oatmeal. You can get 10 packets for about $2.50. 
• Other options are yogurts with granola. Feel free to call them parfaits if you want to be fancy. We like Kashi Go Lean Cereal. There are a bunch of different versions, my kids love the Berry Crisp. It’s filled with protein, fiber, and whole grains which means FILLING! Mix it with vanilla yogurt and you will be happy and full until lunchtime. You can buy a large tub of vanilla yogurt for less than $3 plus the cereal is between $3-4 depending on the flavor.

Best Ski Lunches 

Ugh, lunches on the mountain can be so expensive plus there aren’t always the healthiest options. I’ve seen a small bowl of chili for over $10! It’s time to pack some lunches. 

• Soups are great and filling. This is our own soup which is full of vegetables and the meatballs will fill you up. Just make them smaller to fit more in a thermos.
• Chili whether you buy cans or make this recipe. It’s a great, hearty lunch. 
• Grown-up Lunchables! Make them once, have lunch all week. Think salami, cheese, grapes. Or Apple, ham, cheese, crackers. This article has a bunch of great ideas. 

Apres-ski Dinner Recipes

• This is the ultimate dinner on vacation. Includes vegetables and your protein, just put it all in a pan and then bake. Serve it with rice or pasta and you are done. 
• Pulled Chicken Sandwiches. This recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen is simple and filling. Serve it with a side salad or macaroni and cheese and the whole family will be happy and fed!
• Pasta with vegetables all ready in under 20 minutes! Try this recipe for tortellini salad. Double the recipe and you will have lunch for days. I think it tastes better on the second and third days.
• When in doubt, make spaghetti and meatballs! I won’t tell if you use store-bought pasta sauce. Rao’s has an extra-large jar at Costco. If you need a great meatball recipe, try this one. You can substitute all ground beef to save money.  
• Baked Pork Tenderloin this recipe is so easy and a family favorite. All of the spices are put on as a rub so you can measure them out and put them all together in a container to pack up.
• Who doesn’t love breaded chicken cutlets aka chicken tenders? If you have never made them before here’s a recipe to help you out. Serve it with a simple salad. 
• It doesn’t need to be Tuesday to have tacos! 
• Baked Potatoes with beans, sour cream, cheese. Vegetarian, filling and everyone can customize their own. 

The Kitchen Chalkboard’s Four Day Ski Trip Meal Plan

DAY ONE

Breakfast –  Overnight Oats

Lunch – Chicken Meatball Soup

Dinner – Tex-Mex Chili (Double recipe for leftovers)

DAY TWO

Breakfast – Yogurt Parfaits

Lunch – Tex-Mex Chili 

Dinner –  Fancy Pants Chicken, Egg Noodles

DAY THREE

Breakfast –  Overnight Oats

Lunch – Chicken Meatball Soup

Dinner – Pork Tenderloin, Rice, Spinach 

DAY FOUR

Breakfast – Yogurt Parfaits

Lunch – Tex-Mex Chili

Dinner – Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

No need to write it down! You can download it here. 

How to Food Shop For a Ski Vacation

We are big proponents of online grocery shopping and when you are headed on vacation, it’s a lifesaver. You have enough to do before a trip, heading to the grocery store does not need to be one of them. Shopping online will allow you to do so whenever you have a few minutes and give you the time to make sure you have everything you need. Plus. who wants to grocery shop while they are on vacation? I barely want to do it when I am home! 

It’s best to set a time for your groceries to arrive the day before you head out. This allows room for any errors in shipping and gives you time to reorder if needed. It doesn’t happen often but it can happen. Plus if the delivery runs late you don’t want it to affect your plans. 

No need to make a grocery list if you are using our four-day meal plan, we’ve created one for you. Check it out. 

Basic Utensils Found in a Vacation Rental Kitchen

• Large dinner plates
• Cereal bowls
• Cutlery
• Coffee mugs and casual drink glasses
• A spaghetti pot and colander
• Skillet and saucepan
• Knives

How to Pack Food For Your Ski Vacation Meal Plan

Now here’s where the benefit of online grocery shopping comes in. You’ve put your perishable items away from your order. Now leave the pantry items in the bags they came in. Half of your groceries are packed. 

Tips for Packing Food For a Ski Trip

• If you plan on going out to dinner a night or two, Pack an extra meal if you can. Even if it’s frozen pizzas. This will allow you to change plans if needed. Sometimes weather won’t allow you to go out or if everyone is tired it’s good to have a backup.
• If you are working with a recipe that has spices, measure them out and pack them in a baggie labeled the recipe name. This will save you the step of having to measure out spices and give you fewer things to pack. 
• Go through each recipe to make sure you pack up all the necessary ingredients. If you are using our 4-day meal plan there’s no need, just use the shopping list. 
• Don’t forget coffee, tea, hot chocolate or other beverages and snacks!

What’s Your Ski Vacation Meal Plan?

Any plans for a family trip? I’d love to hear your ski vacation meal plan in the comments below.

Happy Skiing!