Top 5 backcountry meals under 10$

Unless you are riding in a resort, there are few opportunities to purchase a hearty meal on the mountain. Therefore planning your meals ahead becomes critical. With experience, regular backcountry skiers get to know how their stomachs respond to different foods and can pack according to needs of their metabolism. Over many years of ski touring I realized that while each skier has his food preferences, there are distinct trends in the food diet of a backcountry skier. Below is a list of my favourite cheap backcountry meals.

 Before blindly loading your backpack with the entirety of your fridge, it is important to identify what kind of fuel works best for your body in order to maximize your energy through long days of sustained effort. Backcountry meals should be light, compact, easily digestible and tasty. They need to contain high calories, lots of protein and fats in order to comfortably sustain the day. Always prepare for the eventuality of a forced overnight as well. 

1: Granola Bars

Small, lightweight and filling, granola bars have become staples for outdoors enthusiasts. The recent outburst of health oriented bars are sure to hit the spot when your stomach starts to show signs of hunger. If no existing bars satisfy your palate, try cooking your own.

2: Trail Mix

A hiker’s favorite. Trail mix is customizable with all sorts of nuts, candy, chocolate, dried fruits and seeds. It fits easily in a pocket and has a high ratio of calories/weight. It can be a fantastic source of energy for days. Trail mix is easy to digest and you don’t have to stop doing pow laps in order to refuel so eating trail mix won’t slow your day.

3: Peperoni & Bacon sticks.

Vegetarians may want to skip on this one. While not the healthiest choice, pepperoni sticks remain an affordable sources of protein and fat. They are filling and lightweight. Bonus: a small pepperoni bag fits perfectly inside of a probe pocket, making it a perfect safety match for backcountry touring. Sensitive stomachs should avoid the spiciest pieces of meat for a multiday trip.

4: Sandwiches

Whether you are a ham & cheese or a peanut butter & Jam kind of person, there are sandwiches for everyone. Find what inspires your belly and be generous with what you put in-between your slices. Health advice: whether you prefer your grain in the form of bagel, bread, or English muffin, whole-wheat is highly recommended for long days.

5:  The Cheese Fondue

If you want to take your backcountry food skills to the next level, I recommend trying a Swiss classic: the cheese fondue. Melted cheese mixed with wine, cooked on a garlic rubbed pot is an event in itself for your tasting buds. While a bit pricier (budget 10$ per head), it also requires a bit more work than the other meals options above. Still, making a fondue in the mountains with your friends makes for unforgettable moments. It is recommended for calm bluebird days, when an extended lunch break is most enjoyable.

A fondue contains high calories, lots of protein and fat, and will give you lots of energy for the rest of the day. It works best when everyone splits the weight of the ingredients and cooking set between backpacks. If you are not familiar with the meal, I recommend using a recipe for the first time. For practical reasons, it is advisable to have cut the bread, shredded the cheese, and cooked the potatoes in advance. Warning: be careful not to overfeed yourself, as a heavy stomach and a sleepy body may hinder the rest of your riding day.