Hi! We're coming over from England for a week this Christmas (counting the hours already) with our two boys, 9 + 11.
For Christmas Day we would like to go out to a restaurant (not pizza or chinese - something more traditional with turkey or pork a great steakhouse even...) - please can anyone suggest somewhere really great with a good atmosphere and good food?? Would we need to book up ahead of time or would we be fine to have a look around when we arrive earlier in the week?
Many thanks!!
Helen
The Ore House would be a great option, but if you can't get in...
I have to say, we would not normally eat at this place, but last year we ate at Seven's in the Sheraton for the Christmas buffet, and it was fantastic. Great views, the food was really good, from apps to the main dish.
..I'm still dithering as it's so hard to decide when we've not been to any yet but if i leave it until we do then i know everywhere will be booked, so all these comments are really useful!
- one place that no one seems to have mentioned here is 'The Cabin' at The Grand which makes a few appearances on some old blogs i've read - does anyone have any views on this -as some people seem to have really rated it- is it 'hotelly' or is it more like a proper restaurant, if that makes sense?
I hear great things about the Cabin's Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, but when I have been in that hotel (infrequently), it appears to be a bit hotelly to me. The views would be across the hall as well, not at your window as they are in the Sheraton.
i am going to ask a stupid question do you need to make reservations for the Sheraton for Christmas buffet? Or just drop in....thanks starting to get excited about coming out and i know this time of the year will be busy just trying to make plans and options
I am English and have two boys the same age as yours. It is hard to find a traditional English Christmas meal in Steamboat as that is generally the traditional Thanksgiving meal here in the US. We ski in Steamboat every year. We have had a Christmas Dinner in The Cabin. (that was myself and my mother a couple of Christmases ago in The Cabin) We shall probably go there again this Christmas, but it won't be a traditional Christmas meal for you and it is fine dining, however, it is a nice way to have a meal on Christmas day. Alternatively, my children do enjoy The Ore House, and it is more informal. Just remember, it is colder skiing here at Christmas than in Europe so pack wisely and book your activities wisely!
Hi Anne Marie! Thanks for the post - I have actually just booked at the Ore House, after weighing up all the previous posts - no traditional meal, but it sounds like it'll be great fun! - can I ask, for the boys do they wear a thermal layer, a fleece and then their jacket or would you recommend more layers....and what other activities would you suggest booking - I'm intrigued! Thanks so much!
Actually, we may book the Ore House, having had a vote from the children!
We skied a couple of years ago at Christmas and it was very cold. Usually we go in March. Thermals are a definite, if it's really cold I'll make the children wear a long sleeved t on top of their themal shirt, plus fleece and ski jacket. Hand a foot warmers really help. The air is very dry, so you'll need lots of moisturizers, and the sun is very strong, so lots of sunscreen. Because the air is dry, you have to remember to drink lots of water.
Activities my children have enjoyed include the sleigh ride/dinner at Saddleback Ranch (nice cowboy feel to the place), tubing down the hill on inner tubes, either at Saddleback or Howlsen Hill. Ice skating - there is an olympic size ice rink! Strawberry Hot Springs are fun and pretty, if a little rustic (changing out of wet clothes in subzero temps in a communal teepee!). I don't know if your boys are doing ski school, but they can do a torchlight procession down the mountain on occasions with them (maybe New Year's eve), and if they are in the ski weeks, they can do the Nastar Races. Ski school is brilliant, which is one of the reasons we always ski here. There are husky rides, but we haven't done it because it's cold, and we did that in Finland one year. They are supposed to be fun...
Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to know ..
I ski with my boys every January in Steamboat (now 10 & 8) and they wear the whole kit every day since they stay up top most the whole day ... base layer top and bottom, fleece top (& bottom if it's Arctic cold), and down jacket. They used to wear pants that were more like a jumper with a thermal chest bib, but now that's just an encumbrance for them so they've asked for pants with a pant/jacket interface. I would also find before you come a balaclava that fits and is comfortable for them. Icebreaker makes a very light wool one-- my 10 year old appropriated mine one snowy day and now carries it stashed in a cargo pocket just in case. Kids fall a lot and in powder that can mean snow gets everywhere, even up under their helmet.
Thought I'd post an update after we return. Promontory is a hike to the hill but we found we could carry our skis slightly up hill and get to the access run down to the gondola/Christy Peak Express. After a bit of searching, we also found a way to s…