Top 10 Alpine Dishes You Must Try On Your Ski Holiday

No ski holiday is complete without sampling the region’s culinary treasures, and an alpine dish is an essential part of the authentic Three Valleys experience. Whether you’re staying in one of our catered chalets or exploring resort restaurants, knowing which mountain cuisine to seek out will transform your ski experience – after all, holiday food is one of the highlights of a great trip! Read on to discover the ten unmissable Alpine dishes that should be on every skier’s bucket list.

What Makes Alpine Cuisine So Special

Alpine cuisine is at the culinary heart of ski culture, the essential calories to fuel adventurers exploring the snow-capped peaks. Shaped by centuries of tradition (or surprisingly just a few years – but you’ll have to read on to find out that little fact!), the simple but delicious ingredients reaped from the mountainside and the techniques handed through generations, these dishes tell the story of the region whilst warming you from the inside out.

The Mountain Environment & Ingredients

Alpine dishes are inspired by the landscape and its bounty, which is precisely why these flavours feel so integral to your ski holiday. The Alpine climate has shaped a distinctive food culture centered around ingredients that thrive at altitude and preserve well through long winters. Think rich cream, aged cheeses, dried meats, and tasty root vegetables.  

The Social Side: Sharing Meals Après-Ski

One half of the joy of ski food is the sheer level of hunger you feel after a huge dose of fresh air, and the other half is the simple act of sharing. Alpine dining traditions are steeped in history and go back way beyond ski culture in the 20th century. Imagine those hungry farmers stomping the snow off their boots and tucking into a hearty meal by the fireside. That convivial and cosy atmosphere, with lights down low and the fire crackling is what makes Three Valleys cuisine so memorable.

Why UK Skiers Should Care

For British skiers, understanding and seeking out authentic Alpine dishes elevates the entire winter holiday experience. Our catered ski chalets give you the perfect base to explore these culinary traditions, ensuring you return home with stories about the food that match the ones about your best runs. If you’re new to skiing, but have friends that are regulars, they’ll be sure to tell you all about the things that make ski trips special, and Alpine food (and possibly drink!) is always on the list. Experiencing a ski holiday MUST involve trying out local dishes, just as you would tuck into pizza in Italy, sushi in Japan or tagine in Morocco.  In the Alps, trying a fondue or genepi is practically obligatory. “When in Rome” and all that.

The Top 10 Alpine Dishes You Can’t Miss

Here’s your definitive guide to the Alpine dishes that deserve a place on your après-ski menu. Whether you’re seeking comfort, adventure, or a taste of genuine mountain culture, each of these classics offers something special. 

1. Fondue Savoyard

Melted Emmental, Beaufort, and gruyère cheeses from the Savoie region blended with white wine and a hint of garlic, served with crusty bread and bread for dunking from a warm dish in the centre of the table. Mouth watering yet?! You’ll find fondue in virtually every cosy mountain restaurant and chalet throughout the Three Valleys, making it impossible to avoid (and why would you want to?). Sometimes you can opt for a veggie version without the cured meats on the side. And we also recommend trying fondue with cèpe mushrooms for an earthy and extra indulgent change. Cèpe mushrooms grow in plentitude in the forests in Autumn and most locals – chefs included – harvest and dry them as a store cupboard ingredient.

Why you’ll love it: It’s the ultimate interactive meal that brings your group together, and nothing quite compares to the ritual of breaking bread and dipping into bubbling cheese after a day on the mountain. 

2. Raclette

If you want to try a raclette, head to the most traditional alpine restaurant in town, because that’s where you’ll have half a wheel of raclette cheese brought to your table attached to what appears to be a medieval instrument of torture. Under this heating contraption, the cheese melts, its edges turning crusty. Scrape this onto the potatoes that are patiently sitting on your plate and tuck in while it’s hot. Nibble on your accompanying salad, gherkins and cured meats whilst you await your next turn.

Why you’ll love it: It’s pure, unapologetic indulgence! The melted cheese is rich and creamy, and there’s something deeply satisfying about the scraping action and the customisation of each bite. 

3. Tartiflette

This creamy potato and reblochon cheese gratin, studded with lardons, cream and onions, is the ultimate comfort food that tastes even better in the snowy mountains. But did you know that it’s not a wholly “traditional” dish? In fact it was invented in the 1980s to promote reblochon cheese. The recipe for tartiflette is based on a local meal called “péla” with potatoes, but involves slicing a whole reblochon in half horizontally and baking it on top of your cooked potatoes, onions and lardons, so that the soft cheese melts through and the crust goes crispy on top. Perfect with a crisp, green salad.. You’ll find it everywhere from mountain refuges to upscale chalets, and it’s a staple of catered chalet menus.

Why you’ll love it: Tartiflette is pure warmth in a bowl. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel looked after, and it’s hearty enough to refuel tired legs without feeling heavy. The only downside is waiting for it to cool down, as it’s usually brought to the table sizzling hot!

4. Rösti

Crispy on the outside and tender within, these Swiss potato cakes are made of grated spuds. The natural starch in the potatoes is all they need to help them stick together into a flat cake in a hot frying pan. If you’re skiing in Switzerland, you’ll find these at all mountain restaurants, brunch spots and lunchtime snack bars – they’re the unsung heroes of alpine dining. Find them at mountain restaurants, chalet breakfasts, and casual lunch spots – they’re the unsung hero of alpine dining.

Why you’ll love it: Rösti is comfort food at its most straightforward, perfect for soaking up melted cheese or pairing with an egg. It’s unpretentious, deeply satisfying, and criminally easy to eat too much of.

5. Älplermagronen (Alpine Macaroni)

This Vorarlberg speciality combines short pasta, potatoes, onions, and cheese in a creamy, almost risotto-like dish that feels like a warm hug. You’ll find it in Austrian mountain villages and progressive alpine restaurants that celebrate regional specialities.

Why you’ll love it: It’s comfort food with sophistication – the interplay of pasta, potato, and melted cheese creates layers of flavour and texture that feel both rustic and elegant.

6. Pizzoccheri

A humble buckwheat pasta dish from the Lombardy Alps, tossed with potatoes, cabbage, garlic, and melted cheese. Look for it in Italian-influenced restaurants throughout the southern Alps and traditional trattorias.

Why you’ll love it: Pizzoccheri proves that simple ingredients done right can be absolutely magical; it’s lighter than heavier cheese dishes yet deeply satisfying, and unexpectedly delicate in flavour.

7. Diots with Crozets or Polenta

Why you’ll love it: The sausages have a subtle herbaceous kick that feels authentic and refined, while the crozets or polenta provide the perfect vehicle for soaking up every bit of sauce. It’s simple perfection on a plate.

8. Gulaschsuppe or Barley Stew

A deeply warming soup or stew with tender beef, root vegetables, and aromatic spices (or a hearty barley version with mushrooms and cream), this is alpine soul food from the German mountains. You’ll encounter it in mountain refuges, cosy bistros, and chalet dinners.

Why you’ll love it: After a morning in the snow, a bowl of gulasch or barley stew feels like pure medicine. It’s nourishing, deeply flavoured, and the kind of dish that makes you grateful for mountain hospitality.

9. Kaiserschmarrn (Sweet Dish)

Shredded kaiserschmarrn pancakes dusted with icing sugar and served with tart plum or berry compote. Find this in Austrian and Bavarian restaurants, chalet desserts, and mountain cafés.

Why you’ll love it: It’s playful and indulgent without being overly sweet, with a texture that’s somewhere between pancake and soufflé. The contrast between the soft, fluffy pancake and sharp fruit compote is pure joy.

10. Tarte aux Myrtilles or Alpine Blueberry Tart

A buttery pastry base topped with wild blueberries gathered from the alpine slopes, held together with a delicate custard or jam – each slice is a taste of the mountains themselves. You’ll find these tarts in patisseries, mountain restaurants, and quality chalet menus throughout the French Alps. Try it in the Bel Air or Cave de Creux restaurants in Courchevel – tried and tested by Ski Magic!

Why you’ll love it: These smaller alpine blueberries have an intensity of flavour that shop-bought berries can’t match, and the tart is elegant enough to feel like a proper dessert while remaining uncomplicated and deeply satisfying. These fruits grow in abundance around the Col de la Loze area above La Tania, where the bushes turn beautiful Autumnal shades when the fruits ripen around September. True locals even have a special device for harvesting them!

Our Favourite French Alpine Dishes

While the Alps span multiple countries, the French side offers some of the most iconic Alpine dishes that should be on every skier’s list. These dishes represent the best of what the French Alps have to offer, and they’re what locals eat regularly, not just what’s served to tourists.

Fondue, Raclette, Tartiflette and Myrtille Tart are the non-negotiable classics to try whilst you’re in the Three Valleys. Your hosts in our catered chalets will serve Tartiflette to welcome you to the chalet (with pea and nutmeg soup to start, and followed by caramelized apple tart). On one of the chalet hosts nights off, the team will leave you with all you need to heat and serve Raclette in the chalet (with an easy domestic raclette machine, not the medieval one!) Each person has their own little tray which they slide under the heater to cook to perfection. You’ll also find salad, potatoes, charcuterie, and even some veggies to sizzle on the top! And wine, of course!  

A Sample Menu

Pea & nutmeg soup
Savoyard tartiflette served with salad
Caramelised apple tarte tatin

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Beetroot and ricotta crostini
Lemon and sesame salmon, crushed potatoes, leeks
Vanilla cheesecake with berry coulis

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Spiced carrot soup
Confit duck leg, lentils, savoy cabbage
Apricot and cinnamon bread & butter pudding

Practical Tips for Trying Alpine Dishes on Your Ski Holiday

Choosing the Right Ski Resorts & Restaurants

The Three Valleys offers everything from rustic mountain refuges to Michelin-starred restaurants, but for authentic alpine dishes, head to traditional bistros and mountain restaurants.

Look for places that seem to be full of French people at every mealtime, as well as menus featuring local cheeses (Reblochon, Beaufort, Tomme) and seasonal ingredients – that’s your signal you’re in the right place. Ask your chalet host for recommendations; they’ll know which restaurants serve the real deal. 

Lunch on the mountain is also an excellent opportunity to try alpine dishes in their natural habitat – rustic restaurants serve hearty, unpretentious versions that often taste better than polished dining room versions.

Dietary Variations & UK Skiers

Many classic Alpine dishes are cheese and cream-heavy, but vegetarian and lighter options absolutely exist in the modern Alps. 

Tartiflette, Fondue, and Raclette can all be made vegetarian and are increasingly offered this way. For lighter eating, Rösti is your friend, and many restaurants now offer vegetable-forward versions of traditional stews. 

Our catered chalets cater to all dietary requirements – simply let us know your preferences at booking, and we’ll ensure you experience Alpine cuisine on your terms, without compromise.

Making It Work in a Catered or Self-Catered Chalet

If you’re staying in one of our catered chalets, expect genuine versions prepared by experienced cooks who understand the traditions. 

For self-catered groups, local supermarkets stock everything you need:

The key is sourcing proper ingredients from local shops rather than trying to recreate these dishes with substitutes.

How to Make a Mini Alpine-Dish Experience Back Home

Missing the mountains? Several Alpine dishes translate surprisingly well to a UK kitchen. You can source reblochon and Beaufort from delicatessens or online suppliers, and the experience of gathering around a shared pot or grill captures some of that après-ski magic. 

Start with one or two dishes, invest in proper ingredients, and you’ll be surprised how effectively a homemade Alpine meal can transport you back to the Three Valleys – at least until you book your next ski holiday with us.

Why These Dishes Matter for Your Ski Holiday Experience

Alpine dishes are an integral part of what makes a ski holiday genuinely memorable. Food shapes how we experience a place, and when you sit down to authentic Tartiflette or gather around a bubbling fondue pot with your group, you’re participating in centuries of mountain tradition. Embracing the local food culture is the perfect complement to the freedom and ease we provide when you book a Ski Magic ski holiday. 

Conclusion

The Alpine dishes we’ve explored are proof that some of the world’s greatest food comes from simple ingredients, mountain wisdom, and the understanding that good meals bring people together. 

When you book a ski holiday with Ski Magic, you’re choosing more than convenient chalets and professional service – you’re choosing a base from which to explore everything the Three Valleys has to offer, including its incredible food culture. Let us handle the ski hire, the airport transfers, and the details; you focus on the slopes, the views, and yes, the food. Your next unforgettable alpine adventure is waiting!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are some popular Alpine dishes?
A: Alpine dishes are hearty traditional meals from the Alps, often featuring cheese, potatoes, and cured meats. Popular dishes include fondue, raclette, tartiflette, and rösti.

Q: What is the meaning of ‘Alpine cuisine’?
A:  Alpine cuisine refers to the traditional cooking of the entire Alpine region, including France, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy and parts of Germany. It’s a style of food shaped by mountain life: rustic dishes, local cheeses, preserved meats and ingredients that were once easy for farmers and herders to store through long winters. The result is a delicious mix of hearty flavours, generous portions and meals best enjoyed around a shared table.

Q: What is a good meal for ski trips?
A: The best ski-trip meals are warming, filling and easy to enjoy after hours on the slopes. Gratins such as tartiflette, bowls of spätzle, slow-cooked stews or a traditional raclette night all fit the bill perfectly. These dishes restore energy and create that familiar “chalet supper” atmosphere that makes ski holidays so special.

Q: What is Alps food?
A: “Alps food” is simply another way of describing Alpine cuisine. It covers everything from cheese-centred dishes to hearty potato recipes, from mountain soups to sweet baked treats, all rooted in the culture and produce of the high-altitude regions of Europe.

Q: Are these dishes only in France or Switzerland, or across all the Alps?
A: These dishes belong to the whole Alpine region rather than a single country. France has its beloved Reblochon-based creations, Switzerland is known for rösti and fondue, Austria brings spätzle and schnitzel, and northern Italy contributes buckwheat pasta and speck. While each area has its own specialities, the overall style of cooking is shared right across the mountains.

Q: Can I get Alpine dishes if I’m staying in a UK-based resort or UK catered chalet?
A: Yes. Many chalet companies, including Ski Magic, love to showcase traditional Alpine flavours as part of the holiday experience. It’s common to enjoy a “Savoyard night” with raclette or tartiflette, or an Alpine-inspired menu featuring regional soups, gratins and home-style desserts. Even if your holiday is organised through a UK company, you can expect plenty of authentic mountain comfort on your plate.

Q: What’s a good dish for kids or non-cheese lovers?
A: For guests who aren’t big on cheese, Alpine cuisine still offers plenty of options. Dishes like schnitzel, simple roast meats, vegetable soups or potato rösti tend to be universally popular with children and adults alike. Sweet treats such as apple strudel or soft, fluffy Kaiserschmarrn are usually guaranteed winners too.

Q: Do catered chalets usually offer themed Alpine evenings?
A: Many catered chalets include at least one Alpine-themed evening during the week, giving guests the chance to savour favourites like fondue, raclette or tartiflette in a relaxed, sociable chalet setting. It’s a lovely way to add a touch of regional authenticity to your stay.

Q: How flexible are chalet menus with dietary requirements?
A: Catered chalet hosts are generally very accommodating. Although Alpine food is traditionally rich and cheese-forward, your hosts can adapt recipes for vegetarian, gluten-free or lighter options, as long as they know in advance. You’ll still enjoy delicious meals tailored to your preferences.

Q: Is the food in a catered chalet always Alpine?
A: No — most chalets offer a balanced weekly menu that mixes Alpine-inspired dishes with modern, comforting favourites. This keeps the week varied and ensures there’s something for every taste, whether you’re craving mountain classics or something a little lighter.