Winter Dispatch: 038
The Great On-Mountain Waffle* Ranking
Happy Friday! After a season that’s had us checking forecasts with one eye open, we can maybe say that winter has arrived?! Woke up to some veryyy exciting snow stake cameras this morning. Finally!
Chairlift Chatter
Ski pass wars are back. The annual ski pass arms race has officially begun. Both the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass announced 2026–27 pricing this week and there are a few notable changes.
You’re in luck if you’re a Gen Z! Epic is rolling out a new 20% discount for riders aged 13-30, dropping the price from $1,089 to $869. Meanwhile, Ikon’s youth pricing remains competitive: skiers aged 23–28 can pick up an Ikon Base Pass for $750 – about $199 less than the normal price.
Ikon introduces a weather safety net. Clearly aware that some skiers are scarred from this season’s snow struggles, Ikon is offering added flexibility. Passholders who haven’t scanned their pass by January 15 can request a 100% refund. If you’ve scanned once, you’re still eligible for a 50% refund. I do appreciate this new policy.
A few new destinations. Ikon also added three Midwest resorts to the pass, continuing its steady expansion into more regional ski markets.
Aspen's Ajax lift area is getting a major makeover. After more than a decade of planning, development is officially underway at the mountain's historic base. The $350M “Chalet Alpina” project (spanning 2½ city blocks) will bring a new ski lift closer to downtown, a luxury hotel and residences, a restaurant, and a ski museum inside restored historic chalet buildings, plus a new public plaza. Ground broke in late 2025, with completion expected by 2029. The Aman Group is also involved, though details remain under wraps. As expected, not everyone in town is thrilled about it.
I spent last weekend in Breckenridge and came back with a few new discoveries: a favorite new mountain town bar and a standout bakery. We don’t gatekeep around here so here you go: El Perro Negro opened a few weeks ago on Main St and has fantastic cocktails (read: margaritas) + great vibes. Breck needed a spot like this. Also, Threefold Bakery is relatively new and absolutely worth a stop. The cinnamon rolls, scones, morning buns (honestly, everything) are fantastic.
Full Breck guide from last season below!WSJ published a piece on Chuck Horning (the longtime owner of Telluride) and his shortcomings. Worth a read.
Olympian Birk Ruud continues to be a legend, even on cross country skis.
The Great On-Mountain Waffle* Ranking
I really took one for the team here and set out on an incredibly important piece of investigative journalism: finding the best on-mountain waffles in the US. After evaluating options through a very specific set of criteria, I’m thrilled to share my findings.
The (obvious) winner! Corbet’s Cabin - Jackson Hole, WY
Crisp yet soft: 10/10 | Vibes: 100/10 | Altitude Bonus: 🔥🔥🔥
Perched at the very tippy top of Jackson Hole, Corbet’s Cabin isn’t just a waffle hut – it’s a pilgrimage accessed by tram. On cold mornings it doubles as a survival bunker when it’s -6° and the wind is ripping across Rendezvous Mountain.
Go classic with brown sugar or Nutella, or lean fully into chaotic good with peanut butter and bacon. At nearly two miles above sea level, everything tastes better.
The Runner Up! Waffle Cabin - Winter Park, CO
Crisp yet soft: 9/10 | Vibes: Smells amazing always | Altitude Bonus: 🔥
I have to be honest with you. I was slightly devastated to learn that Waffle Cabin is actually a chain. Mostly East Coast. Which means the waffles I’ve been fiercely loyal to at Winter Park are the exact same waffles skiers in Vermont have been eating at Okemo for years.
They’re still excellent. A proper Liège waffle – brioche dough with Belgian pearl sugar that caramelizes as it cooks. Crisp edges, buttery interior, and the unmistakable smell drifting across the base area that can derail even the most disciplined skier.
The Pancake Interruption! Bonnie’s - Aspen, CO
Pancake fluff factor: 10/10 | Vibes: Classic Aspen | Altitude Bonus: 🔥🔥
I realize this is a waffle ranking. But rules are made to be broken when the pancakes are this good.
Bonnie’s (the beloved mid-mountain institution on Aspen Mountain) is famous for its oatmeal pancakes, and for good reason. They’re fluffy, golden, and served in a cozy dining room that feels like a time capsule from old Aspen. On a sunny day, the move is to take them out to the deck for sweeping views of the Elk Mountains.
Sometimes the best waffle is… a pancake!!!!
Perhaps we need a full on-mountain brekky roundup because I haven’t even broached the topic of breakfast burritos yet!
If you enjoy this letter, please share with friends! Feel free to respond here with ski-related intel, new products you’re loving, or just to say hi. Thanks for reading 💌
#4 on the waffle chart: Dan’s cookies at big sky. Because rules are made to be broken!