If you’ve been scrolling through snowboarding social media lately, you’ve seen the memes. Epic Pass and Ikon Pass holders are roasting their mega-passes for what feels like coordinated price fixing on chicken tenders. And honestly? They’re not entirely wrong. Let’s look at the numbers. The Epic Pass has jumped from $909 in 2023-24 to $1,051 for 2025-26 early bird pricing—a 15% increase in two seasons. The Ikon Pass went from $1,159 to $1,329 over the same period. Meanwhile, chicken tender baskets at these resorts have quietly climbed from $10-12 just three years ago to $15-20+ today. That’s a 50-100% increase on what’s essentially the most basic mountain food. The pattern is impossible to ignore. Vail Resorts owns 42 resorts under the Epic umbrella. Alterra Mountain Company controls the Ikon network spanning over 50 destinations. When two companies control this much of the North American ski and snowboard market, consolidation affects everything—including how much you’re paying for fried chicken. But here’s what actually matters: not all chicken tenders are created equal. Some resorts are serving legitimately good product that might actually justify the markup. Others are asking $5 per frozen strip and hoping you’re too hungry to care. I’ve spent enough time analyzing gear, tracking industry trends, and documenting snowboard culture to know this: when an entire segment of riders is making the same joke about chicken tender prices, there’s real frustration beneath the humor. So let’s break down where your money’s actually going. The Price Offenders: Most Expensive Chicken TendersWinter Park, ColoradoWinter Park has developed a well-earned reputation for aggressive menu costs. While specific chicken tender data is hard to pin down, the overall picture is clear: $16 for a cup of chili, $4 for bottled water, $8 for a domestic beer. Multiple riders on snowboarding forums have called out Winter Park specifically for expenses that make other Epic destinations look reasonable. Based on documented pricing patterns and firsthand reports, chicken tender baskets at Winter Park are running $16-20. That’s $4-5 per tender for what’s likely standard Sysco product. The Reality: Winter Park’s pricing strategy assumes you’re either wealthy enough not to care or too committed to your day to leave mid-mountain. Vail & Beaver Creek, ColoradoVail Resorts didn’t build a multi-billion dollar empire by leaving money on the table. At Talon’s Deck at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, you can order chicken tenders with views of the Gore Range and the Mount of the Holy Cross. The offerings are competent but unremarkable—standard mountain fare at premium cost. Expect $16-20 for a chicken tender basket. The atmosphere is pleasant, the views are undeniable, but you’re paying for location and brand positioning as much as sustenance. The Reality: Vail and Beaver Creek understand their market. When your target demographic buys $1,519 passes and books lodging at $400+ per night, they’re not sweating what lunch costs. Aspen Mountains (Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass)Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Aspen Mountain ranked 68th, 69th, and 70th respectively on a recent list of the 70 costliest ski destinations in North America. Snowmass also sits in the upper tier. Menu rates reflect this positioning. While I haven’t personally price-checked chicken tenders across all four Aspen mountains, industry patterns suggest $18-22 for a standard basket. The Ikon Pass opens the door, but once you’re inside, everything costs more. The Reality: Aspen has always been Aspen. The chicken tenders cost a premium because everything does. At least they’re consistent. Understanding the PatternHere’s what the data shows: chicken tender baskets at major mountains have increased 50-100% in three years while pass rates rose 15-20%. The menu markup is outpacing the admission increase by a significant margin, which explains why riders are noticing. Mountain dining has always carried a premium—captive audience economics 101. But the recent acceleration suggests these mega-operators are treating cafeteria sales as a profit center rather than a service amenity. The Quality Standouts: Best Tasting Chicken TendersNot every mountain is serving frozen garbage at premium rates. Some actually care about culinary standards, and it shows in the product. StillWest Brewery, Jackson Hole, WyomingStillWest sits across from Snow King Mountain Resort—close enough to count as slope-adjacent without the mountain markup. Their peppery breaded chicken tenders have earned genuine local acclaim, which in Jackson Hole means something. This is a town with serious culinary culture and riders who won’t tolerate mediocrity. StillWest hand-breads their tenders and serves them with hand-cut fries. The peppery coating delivers actual flavor—not just salt and grease. Pair them with the Hucklebuck wheat beer (nearly purple, heavy huckleberry notes) and you’ve got a proper post-riding meal. The Reality: These are legitimately good chicken tenders by any standard, not just “good for mountain dining.” Worth the detour. Casper Restaurant, Jackson Hole Mountain ResortFor on-mountain dining at Jackson Hole, Casper Restaurant serves solid chicken tenders at the mid-mountain location. Nothing revolutionary, but consistently well-executed—crispy exterior, properly cooked interior, decent portion sizing. The deck offers views that justify the premium, and the culinary execution is a step above standard mountain fare. Jackson Hole has always understood that their clientele expects better than frozen Sysco product. The Reality: Reliable execution at elevated cost. You’re paying for location and consistency, and you’re getting what you pay for. Killington Resort, Vermont - The Jerk ShackKillington’s Jerk Shack deserves recognition even though it’s not traditional chicken tenders. This slopeside operation serves Caribbean-spiced jerk chicken that’s repeatedly called out on r/skiing as exceptional mountain fare. One rider described it as “so good it’s hard to believe.” The jerk seasoning provides actual flavor complexity—cumin, allspice, scotch bonnet heat—instead of the bland, oversalted profile that dominates most slope-side dining. It’s a reminder that mountain menus don’t have to be boring. The Reality: Different approach, superior execution. If you’re tired of standard tenders, this is your move. Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah - Curry Fries & QualitySolitude’s mid-mountain Roundhouse restaurant has built a reputation for Indian-Himalayan fusion that actually works. Their curry fries get most of the attention, but their chicken offerings demonstrate the same attention to flavor and preparation. This is a mountain that treats dining as part of the experience rather than a necessary evil. The cost is still slope-level, but the execution justifies it. The Reality: Quality mountain dining without pretense. Proof that mountains can serve excellent cuisine if they prioritize it. The Value Options: Most Affordable Chicken TendersThe truth is that the best value chicken tenders are the ones you don’t buy at all. But I recognize that’s not always practical. Independent Resorts Lead on ValueThe mountains outside the Epic and Ikon empires consistently offer better menu rates: Purgatory Resort, Colorado - Recently recognized as one of the country’s best value ski destinations. Lift tickets start as low as $9 on select dates, with menu rates reflecting that commitment to accessibility. Chicken tender baskets run $10-13. Arapahoe Basin, Colorado - Locally owned, rider-focused, and priced for people who actually work for a living. A-Basin has maintained reasonable menu costs even as mega-operators jack up rates. Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico - Independent ownership, authentic local culture, and menu rates that don’t require a second mortgage. Chicken tenders won’t break your budget. Bridger Bowl, Montana - Non-profit, community-owned, and committed to accessibility. The menu is priced for locals, not trust-fund kids on vacation. Wolf Creek, Colorado - No corporate ownership, no shareholder demands, no $20 chicken tenders. Just solid mountain fare at fair rates. At these mountains, chicken tender baskets typically run $10-13—roughly what slope dining cost everywhere before the mega-pass consolidation began. The Reality: Support independent operations when you can. The rates reflect actual costs rather than profit-maximizing algorithms. Small East Coast MountainsSeveral smaller East Coast operations have maintained reasonable rates. While specific chicken tender data is limited, mountains with $8.50 burgers likely have proportional tender costs in the $10-12 range. Look for family-owned operations in Vermont, New Hampshire, and upstate New York that haven’t been absorbed into the Ikon or Epic networks. The Reality: Smaller doesn’t mean worse. Often it means superior value and more authentic experience. The Food Dilemma: Practical StrategiesI know what I said in WTF is in your Backpack. Mountain infrastructure exists so you don’t have to haul everything up the slope. I stand by that position—backpacks at mountains create unnecessary risk for minimal benefit. But here’s the contradiction: chicken tender rates have gotten so absurd that reconsidering your nutrition strategy makes financial sense. I’m not suggesting you load up an expedition pack, but strategic planning can save significant money. Option 1: Jacket Pockets Option 2: Strategic Lodge Breaks Option 3: Off-Mountain Dining Option 4: The Stash Option 5: Upgrade Strategically The Larger ContextThe chicken tender rate issue is a symptom of broader industry consolidation. When Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company control this much of the North American market, economic pressure affects everything—passes, parking, rentals, lessons, and cafeteria menus. The Epic Pass breaking $1,000 made headlines. The Ikon Pass at $1,329 is even steeper. But the real death by a thousand cuts happens with the ancillary costs—$30 parking, $20 chicken tenders, $8 beers. These add up faster than admission increases. Independent operations remain the counterbalance. They’re not perfect, but they’re generally more reasonable because they answer to communities rather than shareholders. Supporting them when possible helps maintain rate diversity across the industry. The Last WordThe memes about Epic and Ikon conspiring on chicken tender rates are funny because there’s truth beneath the humor. Mega-consolidation has led to aggressive strategies across the board, and chicken tenders, the most basic, ubiquitous slope dining, have become a symbol of that trend. But not all mountains operate the same way. Excellence exists if you know where to look, and value is still available at independent operations. So the next time you’re staring at an $18 chicken tender basket, ask yourself: is this worth it? If you’re at StillWest or enjoying Killington’s Jerk Shack, maybe. If you’re looking at frozen strips in a generic cafeteria, absolutely not. Make informed choices. Support excellence when it exists. Push back against exploitative rates by voting with your wallet. And if all else fails, throw some protein bars in your jacket pocket and call it good. The chicken tenders will still be there tomorrow, probably at an even higher cost. Got intel on exceptional or egregious chicken tender situations at mountains? Drop it in the comments or hit me up on social. Always looking for better data on what destinations are actually charging and serving.
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Kamis, 20 November 2025
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