Winter picnics on the slopes: is it possible? Tips and suitable places

Are you on a skiing vacation in Méribel-Mottaret? You may be asking yourself these questions: "Is it really possible to eat outside in 0°C weather?", "Where can I find sheltered spots on the resort?", "How do I keep my food warm during the journey?"

We take a look at winter picnicking from every angle: its unsuspected advantages, your underlying motivations, and the most suitable places in our ski area.

Practical organization, safety precautions, comforting cooking ideas and essential equipment: your complete guide awaits you. What if we changed the rules for ski lunches?

Avoid crowded restaurants? The call of nature resonates differently with every skier. Some seek this authentic reconnection with the mountain environment, far from the urban hustle and bustle and crowded terraces. This total escape brings you back to simple pleasures: munching on your sandwich in front of silent peaks.

For families, winter opens the door to an unusual and memorable experience. Your children will treasure these images of meals eaten in the snow these are the extraordinary moments that mark their vacations at Méribel-Mottaret. The wonder in their eyes is worth all the gourmet restaurants in the area.

These gourmet breaks also strengthen social and family ties in an exceptional setting. Sharing a gourd of hot chocolate or exchanging provisions creates a unique bond. These moments of sincere sharing create lasting memories between generations.

Winter also inspires your culinary creativity you can try out new recipes adapted to the cold season, discover new combinations or revisit your classics. This gastronomic exploration adds a playful dimension to your alpine escapades.

Well, between two ski descents or during another snow activity, these moments of relaxation rejuvenate body and mind. Recharge your batteries naturally, set the pace for your day and enjoy total freedom on our 3 Valleys ski area.

Absolutely! Picnicking in white powder is one of the authentic pleasures of the mountains. That said, the constraints of winter weather call for meticulous preparation. Intense cold, bitter winds, high humidity and snowfall radically alter your summer outdoor habits.

Your choice of location will determine the success of your winter ski picnic:

• Look for a natural shelter: an imposing rock, a dense grove or protective relief

• Avoid windy areas exposed to icy draughts

• Choose sun exposure, but always use sunscreen

Floor insulation is your priority in the fight against hypothermia. A quality waterproof tarpaulin, a thick, hard-wearing ground sheet or a multi-layer waterproof blanket effectively separates you from the cold, wet snow. This indispensable thermal barrier preserves your body temperature throughout your meal at altitude.

If you want to bring along specialized equipment, consider insulated folding seats, lightweight but sturdy portable tables and a windbreaker. These accessories transform your experience and make it enjoyable, even in difficult weather conditions.

By the way, our ski packing guide lists all the essential gear you’ll need.

Mountain winters call for meals that are easy to transport, energizing and comforting that support your body in the cold. Your body burns more calories when it's cold, so choose nourishing foods that keep your body warm and energized.

Favour hot dishes that will warm you up instantly:

• Thick soups with seasonal vegetables in high-performance thermos flasks

• Beef or lamb stews, carefully prepared the day before

• Simmered dishes with protein-rich white beans or lentils

• Lorraine or vegetable quiches in suitable airtight containers

• Easy savoury tarts to cut up and share

• Hot sandwiches with rustic bread, Savoy cheese and cold cuts

The right cold dishes make a smart addition to your menu generous sandwiches with ham, mature mountain cheese and farmhouse bread.

Some essential energy snacks:

• A variety of dried fruits: soft apricots, sweet figs, melting dates

• Crunchy walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts

• Cereal bars

• Chocolate chip muffins

• Homemade shortbread cookies

Don't forget the hot drinks that warm your body:

• Full-bodied black tea or herbal teas with fragrant alpine herbs

• Coffee brewed in high-quality watertight thermos flasks

• Creamy hot chocolate

• Spiced mulled wine, for adults only

A balanced diet is important, even at altitude: alternate carefully between proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Prepare your dishes in advance, and invest in professional-quality isothermal lunchboxes and high-performance, high-resistance thermos flasks.

Keep your food warm on the move to the slopes requires a certain amount of organization. High-performance insulated containers, electrically heated lunchboxes and professional-quality thermos flasks form your basic arsenal against the chill.

Maximize insulation with these additional tips wrap your hot dishes in a thick fleece blanket, or better still, slip them into isothermal bags lined with reflective aluminum. This thermal barrier effectively prolongs temperature retention.

Preheating your containers is a game-changer. Rinse thermos flasks and lunchboxes in boiling water before pouring in your hot preparations. This simple technique saves several hours of optimal temperature.

Self-heating chemical heating elements or reusable heating packs complete your equipment. Activate them just before departure and place them strategically around your food containers.

Timing is everything the key: prepare your food just before you leave your accommodation, and eat it quickly once you're on site. Every minute counts in this race against the chill.

Beware of food safety limits! Respect the minimum temperature of 60°C, and avoid poultry- and fish-based dishes, which do not cope well with temperature variations. Prefer sturdy preparations: thick soups, hearty stews and robust simmered dishes.

Your comfort, and therefore the success of your picnic, depends first and foremost on your clothing. The three-layer system is your best ally against the elements:

• Thermal base moisture-wicking technical underwear

• Insulating intermediate layer fleece or lightweight down jacket to trap heat

• Outer layer waterproof and windproof jacket to block rain and snow

Never forget your extremities, the first victims of the cold:

• Warm lined gloves or waterproof mittens

• Bonnet covering exposed ears

• Scarf or choker to protect the back of the neck

• Thick socks in merino wool or technical fibers

Your shoes deserve special attention choose models that are waterproof, thermally insulated and equipped with non-slip soles for icy conditions.

Choose breathable clothing that evacuate body condensation, avoiding the "fridge" effect of damp cotton. Always pack a dry change of clothes in your bag, in case moisture gets in.

Even on overcast days, apply sunscreen generously and wear sunglasses the reverberation on snow burns your skin and eyes intensely.

For children and babies this is why it's a good idea to multiply their diapers, check their body temperature regularly and carry extra dry clothes. Their extremities cool more quickly than those of adults.

Last but not least care for your ski clothing after these escapades in Méribel-Mottaret!