Gluten Free at Mount Baker

We love to ski/snowboard, so I’ve been slowly accumulating gluten free info for ski areas we go to (similar to the gluten free baseball stadium options I’m compiling too).  The ski area I go to most often is Mt. Baker in Washington state, home of the world record snowfall in the 1998-1999 season.

Unfortunately, calling the main offices for the Mt. Baker Ski Area reveals only a few gluten free options at either of their lodges (I like the White Salmon Lodge best, aka “the lower lodge”).  The choices are the usual salads or a baked potato which can be smothered with chili.  We hope to see this improve in the future, especially as I had been waiting with baited breath to see what their new menu would be for this 2011-2012 season.

But don’t worry, because there are many more options available to you on your drive home from the mountain, which is when I tend to get extra hungry anyway.

Try stopping first at Milano’s in Glacier (9990 Mt. Baker Hwy, Glacier WA, 98244, 360-599-2863).  Though it’s not listed on the menu, they have gluten free spaghetti made from quinoa flour, stored in the kitchen for when it is requested, and it can be subbed for many of the linguine or fettucine dishes on the menu.  (Note: not every waiter is familiar with this option, so just ask them to check back in the kitchen).  I’ve been told that you can also bring your own gluten free pasta in if you prefer, and they will cook it for you.

Another option, about an hour’s drive down from the mountain, is the North Fork Brewery (6186 Mt. Baker Hwy, Deming WA 98244, 360-599-2337).  Though the menu still doesn’t come up on their website, you’ll have to trust me that this establishment serves a full gluten free meal option, plus has a great atmosphere.  You can get a 9″ size gluten free pizza with your choice of toppings for a reasonable price (depends on how many toppings you order, but you could go all out for about $13.00), a Strongbow Cider to drink, and their gluten free “Death by Chocolate” for dessert (last price check on this dessert was $5.00).  Note: the menu doesn’t list the gluten free pizza option, you just have to ask for it!

I highly recommend both of these places, though full disclosure is that I grew up in this area, so they are familiar favorites to me.  I’d love to hear about your favorite gluten free meals at other ski areas too, just leave a comment below.