What is on the tray

The kitchen smokes meat on site every day, and Vail bills the Chicken & Wild Rice Soup as the house favourite. Specials such as onion rings and mac & cheese fill out the American barbecue menu, and the full menu is posted on Vail's dining page. There are no reservations, which suits a group that wants to eat and get back to the lifts.

Timing your lunch

Wildwood is a winter-only restaurant with a short midday window, opening mid-morning and closing mid-afternoon; exact hours are in the FAQ below. It is Epic Mountain Rewards eligible, so pass holders should have their pass ready at the register. It does not operate in summer, so warm-weather visitors riding the gondolas should plan on the restaurants at the top of them instead.

Other places to eat on the mountain

Skiers who want a meal closer to the front side can head to Mid-Vail, at the top of Gondola One, or to Eagle's Nest above Lionshead, where Bistro Fourteen adds a full bar. Both can also be reached by non-skiers riding up by gondola, which Wildwood cannot.

Sources: Vail: Wildwood Smokehouse, Vail mountain dining, Vail Resorts 2026/27 opening dates. Checked September 23, 2026.