If you want to tuck into a hearty breakfast to fuel a full day of skiing, look for the lines outside local restaurants in your favorite ski towns. They’re usually a good barometer of the food inside.Or ask a ski instructor – who also needs a good breakfast under his or her belt before beginning the day. Or hit up the clerk in the ski shop, who probably knows where to find a local bargain meal that also tastes good.
Most of these local gems open at 7 a.m. (unless otherwise noted) if you’re inclined to get an early start on your day. They have eggs-zactly what you need.
Glenwood Springs
Rosi’s Little Bavarian Restaurant & Pastry Shop
141 W. 6th St.
970-928-9186
A fragrant stack of hot banana-nut or wild blueberry pancakes will start your day right before heading up to Sunlight Mountain Resort. Several types of eggs Benedict are perennial favorites. Grab a slice of homemade strudel or a luscious Bavarian pastry to go for a mid-morning snack.
Crested Butte
Izzy’s
218 Maroon Ave.
970-349-5630
Though it specializes in homemade breads, bagels and muffins, the locals go for its signature latkes (potato pancakes), served like hash browns or with sour cream and applesauce.
Camp 4 Coffee
402½ Elk Ave.
970-349-2500
If you’re looking for a quick fix – coffee and carbs – Camp 4 Coffee also has a location at the base of the mountain. The shops roast their own beans (with names like Sledgehammer and Art of Darkness) and open early, at 6:30 a.m. Snag a tasty pastry, biscuit or breakfast burrito to go.
Steamboat Springs
The Creekside Café & Grill
131 11th St.
970-879-4925
Check out the eclectic eggs Benedict menu: the traditional (with Black Forest ham instead of Canadian bacon); huevos style, with black beans and salsa; Greek style, with feta cheese and spinach; or New York style, with smoked salmon and capers. Oh, we could go on!
Winona’s
617 Lincoln Ave.
970-879-2483
For the fluffiest cinnamon roll around, these pastries will fill your tummy before heading to the slopes. Winona’s beautiful buns have been featured in both Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines.
Winter Park
Carvers Bakery Cafe
93 Cooper Creek Way
Winter Park, Colo. 80482
970-726-8202
They’ve been producing some of the best bakery goods around for 30 years, including sumptuous cinnamon rolls and homemade bagels, as well as a full breakfast menu and great coffee.
Mountain Rose Cafe
78524 US Highway 70
970-726-1374
Hearty describes the menu, especially if you like granola or corned beef hash. Everything is homemade, even the rye toast that comes with your eggs. The cafe opens early, at 6:30 a.m.
Frisco
Butterhorn Bakery
408 Main St.
970-668-3997
It’s elbow-to-elbow dining here, especially at breakfast, which starts at 7:30 a.m. Try the eggs Butterhorn (on a croissant with avocado slices), a frittata, or the huevos rancheros. Or indulge in the Eggy Bread, French toast made with cinnamon fruit bread.
Breckenridge
Clint’s Bakery and Coffee
131 S. Main St.
970-453-2990
If your morning appetite is satisfied with a hot homemade croissant, muffin or scone, check it out. Need more? Try a breakfast bagel sandwich or the quiche.
Leadville
Doc Holliday’s Bar and Grill
316 Harrison Ave.
719-486-3020
Breakfast in a bar? Why not? Before heading out to Ski Cooper, charge your battery with the sweet sage sausage and the local favorite, crispy baked hash browns topped with bacon and melted Cheddar cheese. Yeah, it’s a heart attack on a plate – but what a way to go!
Pagosa Springs
Victoria’s Parlor Cafe
274 Pagosa St.
970-264-0204
Before tackling Wolf Creek Ski Area, stop by this darling Victorian café. There’s nothing dainty, though, about the country-style eggs Benedict, served on a biscuit and topped with sausage and gravy. Or tackle (maybe split?) one of the giant breakfast burritos. For lighter fare, try the fresh-baked croissants and pastries. The cafe caters to vegetarian and gluten-free diets, too.
Linda DuVal is a freelance writer who lives in Colorado Springs.
