Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

Tailgating at ski resorts is a tradition as old as downhill skiing itself. With social distancing on the agenda for at least a few more months, the number of people hanging out in the resort parking lot will be at an all time high this season.

If you plan to get in on the action, here are some helpful tips, as well as a few things to keep in mind.

1. Know the Rules

Resorts are getting ready for the season by instituting some new rules for the parking lot. In addition to mask mandates and distancing requirements, some resorts have banned cooking over an open flame, and many have instituted strict no alcohol policies. A few have even stated publicly that they’ll be leaning on law enforcement to deal with uncooperative resort guests rather than putting their employees at risk. You can make your own choices, but don’t be surprised if the tailgating vibe is a little less of a party than in years past.

Pro Tip: Discretion is the key to effective rule bending.

2. Pack a Lunch

Some resorts are keeping their cafeterias closed for the season, while others are severely limiting seating to enforce social distancing. You might be used to treating tailgating as solely an après activity, but cooking a hot lunch in the parking lot is about as good as it gets. To make it easy on yourself, do as much food prep as possible beforehand, and don’t forget to bring what you need to clean up when you’re done.

3. It’s Going to be Slammed

With cars serving as everyone’s basecamp for the day, it’s going to get tight in the parking lot. That goes double for lunch time and once the lifts stop spinning. Maintaining your distance from other resort goers will be tough. That said, with many resorts limiting the number of parking reservations available, if everyone plays nicely, it should be manageable. Being flexible will make things better for everyone.

4. Be Cool

There’s always that guy blasting cringey music way too loud and leaving trash for someone else to pick up. Don’t be that guy. Just like we all need to be cognizant of keeping our distance, we all also need to share the space. Do you, but please be mindful that you’re not the only one in the parking lot.

Suggested Gear

Camp Table

Not everyone actually has a tailgate to cook on. For everyone else, there are camp tables, and we’re partial to the Big Agnes offerings. The Soul Kitchen has larger groups covered, while solo skiers and smaller groups will find the Woodchuck to be just right.

Camp Chairs

If you’re ready to step up your parking lot game with a camp chair, the Big Agnes Big Six Chair is a good place to start. It’s lightweight and packable, but it gives you a higher back and a wider seat than most ultralight camping chairs. If you’re after the most comfortable seat in the lot, the NEMO Stargaze Recliner is the obvious choice. And if you want something small and light that can do double duty for short backpacking trips, the Big Agnes Mica Basin will fit the bill perfectly.

Camp Stove

Our go-to recommendation if you need a car camping stove is the Eureka Ignite. The dual 10-inch burners give you plenty of cook space to work with, and the classic suitcase design is easy to clean and packs away in seconds for transport.

Sometimes space is at a premium, but even if your car is packed to the gills, you’ll be able to find room for a Jetboil Genesis.

If you take your grilling more seriously than most, check out the Eureka Gonzo Grill. It’s the next best thing to hauling your backyard grill to the mountain.

Sunglasses

In case you haven’t tried it for yourself, eating in goggles is the worst. Snow blindness comes in at a close second. The obvious solution is a pair of shades, and while everyone has their favorites, you might want to check out a few of ours.

If you’re after something unassuming, the Julbo Renegade is worth a look.

The Fury is heavy on the swag and is a good way to make sure everyone knows you ski park.

But for maximum parking lot points, you really can't beat a pair of glacier glasses, and the Julbo Cham is still the benchmark that everyone else tries to copy. 

Extra Gloves

It’s hard to cook if you can’t feel your fingers, and cooking in mittens isn’t much better. The Hestra Touch Point Fleece Gloves are super low profile, so it’ll be easy to whip up lunch, and thanks to the touchscreen fingertips, you can keep them on while you’re checking the ‘gram. Plus, they work great as a liner glove on cold days, giving you another reason to throw a pair in your pack.

Checklist

Camp Table: Especially useful if you don’t have an actual tailgate.

Chairs: Take a load off.

Stove and Cooking Tools: No spatula, know regret.

Dining Essentials: Plates, utensils, paper towels.

Food: Do as much prep as possible beforehand.

Speakers/Music: See Suggestion #4.

Cooler: Pack wisely. Beverages go on the bottom.

Water: Dehydration is a drag.

Beverages: Bring cans and coozies. Glass bottles don’t belong in the parking lot.

Mug: For coffee, tea, or Hot Toddies.

Warm Clothes: Jacket, hat, and a second set of gloves for standing around.

Hand Warmers: Keep a few pairs in your car.

Sunglasses: Eating in goggles is terrible.

Sunscreen: Goggle tans are great. Skin cancer is not.

Trash bags: Clean up after yourself.

In Closing

Dealing with the pandemic has been a challenge, but we're making the best of it. This year, if you have the chance to share a packed parking lot with other skiers and snowboarders, consider yourself lucky. Maintain your distance, be a good neighbor, and enjoy what just might be the greatest resort tailgating season ever.

We’ll see you out there.

About Campman

Campman is an outdoor retail store located in Salt Lake City, Utah, that specializes in gear and equipment for camping, skiing, backpacking, climbing, and everything in between. We understand that the difference between a bad memory and the adventure of a lifetime can come down to the gear you take with you when you head outdoors, and we want our customers to have the best experiences possible. When it comes to getting outside, we get it, and we’ll get you the gear you need to get there.

Questions? Feel free to contact us by phone at (801) 999-8117 or by email at sales@campman.com.