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As snow blankets the landscape across much of the United States, there’s a certain charm in curling up with a hot cup of coffee, especially if you’re gearing up for a day on the slopes. While our home base in Berkeley, California, is finally seeing some sunshine, many ski resorts from Vermont to California are still in full swing. If you’re braving the cold to shovel your driveway or preparing for a day of skiing, you deserve more than the generic brews typically served at ski lodges. We’ve sampled and curated a list of 10 exceptional coffees from popular ski areas to elevate your winter coffee experience.
These ten selections include unique house blends and classic single-origin coffees, showcasing the dedication of roasters from Vermont, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, Utah, and California. After blind tasting, we found that single-origin coffees dominated our favorites list. Among them are gems from Panama, Kenya, Ethiopia, El Salvador, and Tanzania. We also delved into the roasters’ philosophies and their communities’ preferences, offering you a deeper connection to these winter delights.
Leading our list with a stellar score of 94 is the Panama Finca Las Nubes Geisha from Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. This delicate, berry-driven coffee is a bargain at $15 for 8 ounces. Holly Alves, the “marketing maven and chief of stuff” at Vermont Artisan, explains their philosophy: “We always seek high-quality green beans that exhibit unique characteristics of their origin, then roast them in small batches to highlight their best qualities.” This approach reflects the commitment of small roasters to elevate coffee through thoughtful sourcing and meticulous roasting.
Vermont Artisan’s Winter Specials
While their Kenya, Moka Java, and Artisan Dark Blend are year-round favorites, Vermont Artisan’s exclusive Alpine Blend for The Lodge at Spruce Peak at Stowe Mountain Resort is a winter standout. Regulars and baristas eagerly anticipate special offerings like the Panama Geisha, which provide a delightful change from everyday choices.
Kenyan coffees offer a range of flavors, and our blind cupping revealed three distinct profiles from different roasters.
Color Coffee’s Kenya Gaturiri AA (93) from Eagle, Colorado, is bright and sweet-savory, with a complex bittersweet structure and juicy acidity. Founder Charlie Gundlach aims for maximum juiciness, sweetness, and flavor clarity, achieving a light roast that steers clear of sour or vegetal notes. Their customers appreciate the tamed acidity without the intrusion of roast flavors.
Durango Coffee’s Kenya Karinga AA (93) from Durango, Colorado, presents familiar notes of black currant and cocoa nib. Owner-roaster Carl Rand focuses on balancing the coffee’s natural character with optimal sweetness. Though this Kenya is an import, Durango Coffee’s most popular offerings are direct-trade selections from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Colombia, reflecting long-term relationships with farmers.
Noble Coffee Roasting’s Kenya Muiri Estate Peaberry (92), based in Ashland, Oregon, showcases the challenge of roasting spherical beans. Founder Jared Rennie roasts lightly to bring out the terroir’s full character. This coffee’s potpourri-esque profile with ginger blossom and orange zest is ideal for ski season. Noble exclusively sources USDA organic-certified coffees, further highlighting their commitment to quality.
Ethiopian coffees hold a special place in the hearts of roasters and coffee lovers alike. The Nomadic Bean, Breck Coffee, and Drink Coffee Do Stuff each offer standout Ethiopian selections, catering to both locals and tourists.
The Nomadic Bean’s Ethiopia Guji Odo Shakiso (93) from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a fruit-forward delight with notes of blueberry, honeycomb, and crisp chocolate. Roaster Margo Askins notes that customers appreciate its drinkability and mild, fruity profile. She emphasizes the importance of educating customers about optimizing their home brewing techniques, enhancing their overall experience.
Breck Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Kercha G2 (92) from Breckenridge, Colorado, offers a balanced, complex profile with sweet-tart fruit and cocoa notes. Founding partner Alex Bremer highlights its low acidity and beautiful body, making it a favorite among light-roast enthusiasts. During the busy winter season, Breck Coffee provides quick, affordable options for skiers, ensuring they start their day with a satisfying cup.
Drink Coffee Do Stuff’s Ethiopia Dur Feres (91) from Truckee, California, is beloved for its sweetness and approachable fruit overtones. Founder Nick Visconti adjusts the menu seasonally to cater to tourists and locals alike, offering sweet, comforting coffees in winter and light, bright options in summer. Their blends, such as Hell Yeah!, Bark at the Moon, and Tips Up Tahoe, are perennial bestsellers.
Two standout washed coffees come from Backporch Coffee Roasters and Pink Elephant Coffee Roasters.
Backporch Coffee’s El Salvador Las Delicias Pacamara (92) from Bend, Oregon, is bold and rich, with tart fruit and spice undertones. Founder Dave Beach has a longstanding relationship with the producers, the Menendez family, ensuring a consistent, high-quality product. Backporch adds more microlots and expensive coffees to their menu during the winter holidays, catering to the gift-giving season.
Pink Elephant Coffee’s Tanzania (92) from Heber City, Utah, offers floral and chocolaty notes, with intensity attributed to its peaberry grade. Co-owners Mitch and Kelley Baker focus on remarkable and approachable single origins and blends, maintaining a consistent menu year-round with winter specials featuring homemade syrups.
Big Creek Coffee’s Glow Seasonal Reserve Blend (92) from Hamilton, Montana, is a “gateway” coffee introducing customers to lighter roasts. This blend of organic Ethiopia coffees, one washed and one natural-processed, allows skiers heading to Lost Trail Powder Mountain to explore new flavors. Owner Randy Lint notes that heavier drinks like Americanos and breves are popular in winter, but Glow provides a delightful departure from the norm.
Whether you’re navigating snowy streets or carving down powdery slopes, these 10 ski country coffees are sure to warm your bones and elevate your winter days. Dive into the unique flavors and stories behind each roast, and let these exceptional coffees become a part of your seasonal rituals.
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