Larry Pierce, Steamboat Ski Resort
By Troy Hawks
The words my keyboard is about to spit out might not go over well in some circles. What Im putting down might fire up the focaccia fanatics and raise the hackles of hamburger lovers. Nevertheless, Im throwing caution to the wind and proclaiming the burrito that spicy Mexican-inspired pocket of goodness with a flavor that cuts through a cold winters chill like few others can as the skier and snowboarders BFF (best food friend).
If youre chasing snow in the High Country, theres no time for cooking, little time for sit-down meals. Ive tried all of the available options of traveling food. Fruit is fine, but what I want most is something warm and comfortable, something that occupies enough of my bellys cubical circumference to last the day. Ive bitten into the high-stacked toasted bagel, only to have it blow up in my face after only the third bite. Eggs Benedict is a personal favorite, but its a sloppy affair, and biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and waffles are equally ill-suited for motoring up the mountain.
photo by Beth Galton
Yet no matter whether its breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the world is your burrito; and it has a lot to do with the tortilla, a rather ingenious, all encompassing hand-to-mouth delivery system. The Mesoamerican people are credited for being the first to cleverly wrap their foods in tortillas as early as 1200 BC. Its through this ingenuity that with proper planning, the intrepid snow chaser can ingest a burrito without moments disruption to travel time. (Warning: Only trained professionals should ever attempt to consume a burrito while in transit. Always ask for partner assistance.)
So theres the dexterous utility and the flavor, but theres also the philanthropy. Colorados own Chipotle Mexican Grill has turned the image of a burrito wrapped in tin foil into an icon, and once again this season the restaurant chain now boasting more than 1600 locations with 200 more opening this year threw its support behind Colorado Ski Country USAs 5th and 6th Grade passport programs. This year nearly 20,000 students received ski passes and more than 2,100 First Class free beginner ski lessons were offered as part of Ski Countrys program. On December 7th, Chipotle offered a free burrito or other entre to passport holders.
Through the Passport Program, were able to help give fifth and sixth graders an opportunity to develop a healthy lifestyle on the mountain and create a lifelong passion for one of Colorados favorite pastimes,” says Danielle Winslow, spokeswoman for Chipotle. At the core of our effort to change the way people think about, and eat fast food, is our commitment to finding better, more sustainable sources for all of the ingredients we use; its a value thats shared by people with an active, healthy lifestyle.
There are days when the thoughts of consuming a burrito, end up consuming you. Days on the hill when your weary legs dangle from the chairlift, the wind whips through your snow pants, and your mind drifts away to the land of peppers and salsa, rice and beans all wrapped up in a pudgy tortilla. Heres an idea: How about a burrito zip line?
