After a full day of gliding down the mountain and feeling the crisp winter air on my face, there’s nothing better than unbuckling my ski boots and changing into my comfy clothes to cozy up inside. Though my ‘après ski’ may not be as glamorous as what you may find on the slopes of Aspen or the Alps, here in New England we have a wonderful little ski community that looks forward to ski-season every year.

Every year my friends and I plan a long weekend away to a local ski mountain, and it’s quickly become one of my most cherished annual traditions. Though spending the day on the mountain is tons of fun, one of the best parts of a ski weekend away is retreating to our cabin for a night of drinks, good food and conversation with friends.

To kick off the evening, let’s start with some apps – they’ll give everyone something to snack on while playing cards, enjoying the snowy view and hopefully dissuade some of the ‘when’s dinner?’ questions. My go-tos are dips, they are easy and can even been made ahead of time. One of my favorites is our Salsa Verde Guacamole, it gives a nice little kick to your everyday guacamole. All you need is a jar of our Salsa Verde, a couple of avocados, chopped tomatoes and few spices. Serve with tortilla chips and it will be gone in no time. Now for a friend favorite, our Everything Bagel Dip, everything seasoning is always a crowd-pleaser and can even be incorporated into a dip! Our Everything Aioli is the star of the show, combined with cream cheese and spices. Pro-tip, make sure to allow the cream cheese to soften (it avoids any chip breakage) and serve with your choice of bagel chips.

Now, let’s not forget about the cocktails! After a day on the mountain, you need something that will warm you up and there’s nothing like sipping a hot toddy by a crackling fire. Our Lemon Maple Hot Toddy will warm you from the inside out and provides a nice balance of tart lemon and sweet Maine Maple Syrup. This can easily be made into a batch cocktail as well, just increase the measurements and add an extra splash of bourbon.

Looking for something on the sweeter side? I love a tasty, spiced pomegranate spritzer. This recipe using our Wine & Cider Mulling Spices is great for a group. Incorporating seasonal fruits like pomegranates and garnishing with blood oranges brings vibrance to this delicious cocktail, while anise, cinnamon and nutmeg bring a coziness to this otherwise light and bubbly celebratory spritzer. The perfect way to cap off a day on the slopes!

During the winter I always gravitate to warm and hearty meals. After a busy day on the mountain this is what all of us want and need to gear up for the next day. When making food for a larger group of people I tend to lean towards easy recipes that can be made in bulk and depending on what you’re craving, we have a few different options to try. Our Butternut Squash Pasta is quick and simple, take your favorite Montebello Pasta, add in Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce and you’re done! A few ways to customize it, add crushed sage, bacon bits, chunks of cooked butternut squash or top with cheese.

For a crowd-favorite, let’s make our Garlicky Grilled Cheese. This recipe takes a childhood favorite and elevates it with our Garlic & Avocado Oil Aioli, for a pro tip – put the aioli on the outside of the bread too. It will give your grilled cheese a nice flavor and crisp. Grilled cheese is the perfect option for a group because everyone can add any extras they want, whether it’s swapping sourdough bread for wheat, or adding extra toppings like tomato, bacon or even our Bourbon Bacon Jam (now that’s a must-try).

If you’re looking to get super cozy, soup is always a great option – plus, when in New England chowder is a must. Our New England Corn Chowder is creamy and stocked with potatoes and corn. Garnish with bacon bits, cheese and parsley, and everyone will be going back for seconds.

I almost debated on not including these, but who am I kidding, everyone always has room for desserts! Here are just a few of my winter favorites that center around our delicious dessert sauces. Our S’mores in a Jar are fun and great if you have kids (or if you’re a kid at heart), they fill the craving of wanting a s’more without having to brave the winter chill while sitting around a campfire. Add crushed graham crackers to an empty oven-safe jar, pour a generous amount dessert sauce (my favorite is our Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce) and top with mini marshmallows. Put all your s’more jars onto a baking sheet and place under the broiler, keep an eye on them and remove once they are slightly toasted. Now drizzle with more sauce on top and serve warm – yum!

This next dessert involves a bit more prep, but I promise it’s worth it. The Bittersweet Chocolate Bread Pudding combines croissants and our Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce, which is absolutely delectable. The croissants make this dish light and fluffy, while the chocolate sauce brings the richness. It’s best served with whipped cream, ice cream or fresh berries – drizzle with even more sauce if you prefer!

Now, I’m sure we’re all craving a weekend at the mountain for fresh air and good food with friends, I know I am, especially as we’re getting a bunch of snowstorms here in Maine. Cheers to your next adventure and I hope this inspires you as you’re planning the menu for a weekend away. Before you leave, make sure do a little *snow dance* to summon some fresh powder!