Let’s face it… everything tastes better when you’re camping, right? So, the same could be said for dining and drinking at two local venues that up the outdoors ambiance.
Aurum Yurts
Aurum is once again firing up its heated, outdoor yurt from the Colorado Yurt Co., which seats up to 11 people for a true welcome-to-cozyville dining experience. Featuring its complete regular menu along with specials, this year’s redesigned yurt comes with a central dining table surrounded by super comfy fur-lined chairs that you might never want to get up from. “People love it,” says Aurum’s Phillips Armstrong. “It gets booked out all the time and is a pretty special dining experience.” Bonus: book it when a snowstorm hits and you’ll feel like you’re in a snow globe (“Uh, another hot toddy, please…”). www.aurumsteamboat.com
Mountain Tap Gondolas
If you didn’t ride the gondola enough on the mountain, do so again at Mountain Tap, whose patio gondola cars serve up everything except the vertical ascent. Originally from Killington, they’re cozy and warm, complete with speakers for private tunes with your IPAs and wood-fired ‘za’s. “They’re hugely popular and super comfortable, kind of like comfy worn-in jeans,” says co-founder Rich Tucciarone. “A few families regularly ‘press glass’ for them.” He adds that they started as a way to help seating constraints during the pandemic but have since become one of their most popular winter offerings. “It’s great for families and even couples,” he adds. “You get the cabin to yourself and can play whatever music you want, snuggled up under the twinkling lights.” www.mountaintapbrewery.com
