Are you looking for a winter ski vacation destination that accommodates your gluten-free lifestyle? Look no further! Ski and snowboarding resorts are becoming increasingly more accessible for those with food allergies, gluten sensitivities, and even celiac disease. Whether you’re looking for a snowy mountain retreat to ski or snowboard we’ll share the best gluten-free friendly ski towns – from the East Coast to the West and even outside the USA!
So pack your bags and get ready to enjoy a gluten-free friendly ski trip that you’ll never forget!
Gluten-Free Ski and Snowboarding Traveling Tips
If you’re planning on a ski vacation on a gluten-free diet there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before booking your trip.
Travel Tip 1: Download Find Me Gluten-Free
When traveling gluten-free (especially if you have celiac disease), you’ll want to have Find Me Gluten Free App downloaded on your phone.
Find Me Gluten Free allows you to read reviews from others with celiac disease or gluten intolerance to find out the precautions a restaurant takes to keep gluten-free diners safe. FMGF is the best place to find out if a ski town is gluten-free friendly and has good gluten-free food around town!
Travel Tip 2: Book Accommodations with a Kitchen
I hate cooking on vacation, but it’s always good to have a kitchen as a backup if you don’t have access to safe gluten-free friendly food. When I start my vacation planning process I only look at Airbnbs and Vrbos that have a full kitchen for me to stay at.
The ability to pop a gluten-free pizza in the oven when you’re hungry will take a lot of stress away from traveling gluten-free. It’s important to have very accessible food – especially when you’re taking a very active vacation like a ski holiday! I know as soon as I get off the mountain I am starving! So I love being able to go back to my Airbnb and pop something in the oven or microwave to hold me over until dinner.
I also tend to use the kitchen one night a trip to try to save money because dining out with coeliac disease is expensive!
You can use websites like Airbnb and Vrbo to find a great accommodation with a kitchen.
Travel Tip 3: Bring Your Own Food to the Mountain
If you have celiac disease, I don’t recommend eating in the resort. Most ski resorts are so busy during the season that I don’t fully trust them to take the precautions necessary to ensure celiac-safe food. Every ski resort I’ve been to has had gluten-free options, but many times there is no dedicated fryer or separate gluten-free food preparation area.
Whenever I go snowboarding at our local mountain of Belleayre in New York I always bring a Jersey Mike’s sub to eat for lunch. Jersey Mike’s holds up well and makes for a great lunch while on the ski slope
If you book an accommodation with a kitchen it will be easier to bring your own food to the mountain! Just make sure you pack to go containers for your food when preparing for your trip.
Some great food options for the mountain are salads and sandwiches. These will hold up well in the cold and won’t need to be heated up! You may also want to bring an icepack to keep it fresh until lunch.
Top Gluten-Free Ski Towns
1. Park City, Utah
For those who love winter sports, Park City, Utah is a must-visit destination. Not only does this charming mountain town offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country, but it’s also home to a variety of gluten-free restaurants and cafes.
We loved traveling to Park City so much that we’ve gone back two years in a row! The snowboarding out in Park City is incredible and the view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. There were also so many gluten-free friendly restaurants to choose from in town and a free bus service throughout Park City made traveling from one place to another a breeze!
Luna’s Kitchen
I loved Luna’s Kitchen which is a 100% gluten-free cafe. I had some great gluten-free lunches and desserts there. But what was the best part was being able to purchase pre-packaged meals to bring back to our Airbhb. I bought the lasagna and was able to easily pop that in the oven to eat after a long day of snowboarding.
Yuki Yama Sushi
In addition to Luna’s Kitchen, I had amazing gluten-free sushi at Yuki Yama Sushi. They have a separate gluten-free fryer so I was able to have Shrimp Tempura rolls! This was my first gluten-free sushi experience and it has set a high standard. I enjoyed Yuki Yama so much we have 2 reservations set for our next trip back to Park City!
Make sure you make a reservation 90 days before your trip! Otherwise, you will not be able to get a table.
If you’re interested in traveling to Park City, check out my Gluten-Free Guide to Park City to find out all the best places to eat!
2. Whistler, British Colombia, Canada
If you’re looking to adventure outside the U.S. at one of the top Ski Resorts in the world Whistler is for you!
In the breathtaking Coast Mountains, Whistler, British Columbia, stands as a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts by offering an unparalleled winter wonderland. Renowned for its vast and varied terrain, Whistler Blackcomb boasts the largest ski resort in North America, catering to skiers of all levels.
The powdery snow, consistently excellent conditions, and extensive network of lifts and trails make it a haven for winter sports enthusiasts. The charming pedestrian village, with its vibrant apres-ski scene and world-class dining, adds a touch of luxury and warmth to the overall experience. Whether you’re tackling the challenging slopes or simply reveling in the stunning mountain vistas, Whistler’s combination of natural beauty and exceptional skiing infrastructure makes it an undeniable gem for those seeking an unforgettable ski adventure.
Whistler also blows most U.S.A ski towns out of the water when it comes to having gluten-free options!
There are many different types of options and cuisines to choose from, including a dedicated Gluten-Free Cafe “The Green Moustache Organic Cafe.”
In addition to the cafe you can find great gluten-free tacos at La Cantina Tacos, fresh seafood at Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar, and even gluten-free friendly stir-fry at Mongolie Grille! Several restaurants nearby have a gluten-free menu.
3. Lake Placid, New York
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid, New York, stands out not only for its stunning winter landscapes but also as a haven for gluten-free travelers seeking a delightful vacation.
One of the great things about this cute little town is the fact that there is SO much to do outside of skiing and snowboarding! This charming village, known for hosting the Winter Olympics twice, offers a unique blend of winter sports, cozy atmospheres, and is surrounded by pristine lakes and snow-capped peaks. There are also plenty of gluten-free dining options to satisfy you no matter what your type of adventure is!
1. Smoke Signals
Smoke Signals BBQ is one of the most loved restaurants in Lake Placid and fortunately for us is very gluten-free friendly! Just make sure you make a reservation otherwise you will not be able to get in!
Their food may not make for the best Instagram-worthy meal, but I promise you the ribs, the nachos, and the curry are delicious!
We also enjoyed dinner at another barbeque place, a fantastic breakfast establishment right on the lake, and a fine Italian restaurant. There are a number of gluten-free options in Lake Placid!
We went to Lake Placid, NY from December 27th – January 2nd and unfortunately, we could only go snowboarding once because it was 50 degrees! This is not normal, but it is something to keep in mind. The best time to visit Lake Placid for snowboarding or skiing is in the heart of ski season from mid-January to mid-March.
If you’re looking for fun activities in Lake Placid besides skiing and snowboarding you have to check out the Olympic Museum as well as The Peak’s Paint Bar Paint and Sip classes! We had so much fun there!
4. Stowe, Vermont
If you’re looking for another great destination on the East Coast you have to check out “The Ski Capital of the East” – Stowe Mountain in Vermont!
Nestled in the picturesque Green Mountains, Stowe, Vermont, stands as a quintessential destination for ski and snowboarding enthusiasts seeking a winter escape on the East Coast. Renowned for its pristine snow-covered landscapes and world-class slopes, Stowe captures the essence of a true alpine paradise.
Stowe, Vermont has MANY gluten-free options to choose from including Ranch Camp with a near-perfect Find Me Gluten Free Review rating with over 80 reviews!
In addition to Ranch Camp, you can eat at Cafe on Main, The Whip Bar & Grill, the Bagel, Idletyme Brewing Company, and the famous Stowe Cider!
5. Breckenridge, Colorado
Located in the majestic Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge, Colorado is home to one of the top-rated mountains in the United States. It emerges as an ideal winter wonderland for gluten-free enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable winter vacation. It is conveniently located less than a two-hour drive from Denver, Colorado.
This charming alpine town, renowned for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, goes beyond its snowy landscapes to cater to those with gluten-free preferences. Breckenridge boasts a vibrant culinary scene with an increasing emphasis on gluten-free offerings, ensuring that visitors can relish the local flavors without compromising dietary restrictions and food intolerances.
From high-end restaurants like Ember, to tacos at Mi Casa, or gluten-free pizza at Tin Plate Pizza there are multiple different options to dine gluten-free in Breckenridge, Colorado!
From cozy mountain lodges to gluten-free-friendly eateries, Breckenridge welcomes winter travelers with open arms, promising a delightful and inclusive experience against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered peaks.
5. Family Resort Rainer – Moos, Italy
If you’re looking for an adventurous gluten-free ski vacation then Family Resort Rainer in Mouss, Italy will be a great vacation destination for you!
Family Resort Rainer emerges as a stellar gluten-free vacation destination, prioritizing inclusivity and culinary excellence. Nestled in a pristine location, this resort not only offers a wide array of family-friendly activities but also caters to the needs of gluten-free travelers.
Because the owner’s daughter has celiac disease the resort’s commitment to providing gluten-free options ensures that every family member can indulge in delicious and safe dining experiences. From dedicated gluten-free menus to knowledgeable staff, Family Resort Rainer goes the extra mile to accommodate dietary preferences. They are also certified as being celiac friendly by the AIC, Italy’s national celiac association.
The idyllic setting, coupled with a focus on inclusive culinary offerings, makes it an ideal retreat where families can create lasting memories without compromising on dietary needs. Whether exploring the outdoors or savoring gluten-free delights, Family Resort Rainer stands out as a welcoming haven for families seeking a memorable and worry-free vacation experience.
Other Resorts:
I put extensive research into deciding what are the best gluten-free friendly ski towns and these 5 ski towns are the ones I would be most comfortable traveling to with celiac disease.
There are many other amazing ski towns out there, however, I probably would not travel to them because of the limited dining options.
However, if you do not have celiac disease here are other towns I researched that have some gluten-free friendly options as well! These towns all had multiple gluten-free friendly options but they did not have enough restaurants with a 4-star safety rating on Find Me Gluten Free for me to recommend for a multiple-day vacation.
- Vail, Colorado
- Telluride, Colorado
- Lake Tahoe, California
- Big Sky, Montana
- The Poconos, Pennsylvania