Living in Denver gives us the incredible opportunity to take day trips to Colorado’s beautiful mountains for skiing and snowboarding. But a full day on the mountain requires more than just your gear—it demands plenty of fuel. High-protein snacks are key to keeping your energy up, whether you’re carving down the trails, riding the lifts, or stuck in I-25 traffic on your way to and from the mountains.
Today, we’ll share some of the best high-protein snacks to keep you energized while skiing or snowboarding. But first, let’s quickly touch on why starting your day with a protein-packed meal and snacks is so beneficial.
Protein is a vital macronutrient that your body depends on daily for building, repairing, and maintaining tissues like muscles, bones, and skin. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, your body doesn’t store protein, making a steady, daily dietary supply essential. Protein consists of amino acids, including nine essential ones your body can’t produce on its own, which must come from your diet. Beyond supporting tissue repair, protein plays critical roles in hormone production, digestion, and energy levels. It also has a higher thermic effect than carbs or fats, meaning your body burns more calories processing protein—an added bonus for overall health and performance.
But before we jump straight to snacks, let’s discuss a super simple breakfast idea that is perfect for on the go. Starting your day with a breakfast rich in high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success on the mountain.
Whether you eat at home before hitting the road or fuel up in the resort parking lot as you gear up, a balanced, nutrient-dense meal provides sustained energy and better endurance. One of the easiest ways to stay prepared is by making a breakfast burrito the night before your trip. You can customize the recipe below to hit your macro goal or if you don’t feel like cooking, you can check out grab-and-go breakfast options from places like MyFitFoods in Cherry Creek or the Denver Tech Center.
Here’s a simple breakfast burrito recipe:
- Use a flour tortilla or opt for Siete burrito-sized tortillas if you’re gluten-free.
- Fill it with scrambled eggs and sautéed lean ground beef or bison seasoned with taco seasoning.
- For a healthy carb option, you can add in some rice or roasted potatoes.
- Add a generous scoop of bean and corn salsa, shredded cheese, and freshly sliced avocado for flavor.
Wrap it up and store it in foil for an easy, satisfying breakfast you can eat on the road!
Pro Tip: If you want to take your pre-ride parking lot tailgating to the next level and make all your friends jealous, consider investing in an electric lunch box. These plug into your car outlet and keep your meal warm and ready to eat by the time you arrive at the mountain. It’s a game changer for enjoying a hot, hearty breakfast burrito or any warm meal before hitting the lifts!
7 Portable High-Protein Snacks to Take Skiing or Snowboarding:
David Protein Bars – 28g of protein
New to the market this year, David Protein Bars offer the most protein per calorie of any bar available on the market, with 28 grams of protein and just 150 calories. Made with milk protein isolate, collagen, whey protein concentrate, and egg white, they also include prebiotic ingredients like allulose, which can help reduce blood sugar spikes, and polydextrose, another prebiotic fiber that supports a healthy microbiome. Perfect for keeping your energy up on the mountain or throughout your day
Aloha bars – 14g of vegan protein
ALOHA’s plant-based protein bars are packed with 14g of plant-based protein and come in a range of mouthwatering flavors like lemon, mint chocolate, pumpkin, and brownie. These bars are perfect for vegans or anyone looking for a dairy-free, protein-rich snack that doesn’t compromise on taste. Whether you’re on the go or fueling up for a ski day, ALOHA bars offer a delicious and nutritious way to stay energized.
Wicked Cutz Original Peppered Beef Stick – 15g of protein
Another RMFLEX member favorite, these Wicked Cutz high-quality beef jerky sticks are not only packed with 15 grams of protein per 1.5 oz. serving, but they’re also easy to pack in your ski jacket for a quick snack on the slopes. Made in the USA with no artificial ingredients, MSG, nitrates, or nitrites, they offer a juicy, tender texture that’s far from the tough, dry jerky you might be used to. Whether you’re gearing up for a ski day or need a protein boost on the go, these jerky sticks are a delicious, convenient option.
Power Crunch Protein Bars – 20g of protein
Power Crunch PRO French Vanilla protein bars are the perfect on-the-go snack for skiing and snowboarding. With a rich vanilla crème filling between light, crunchy wafers, these bars are easy to pack and enjoy between runs. They provide 20 grams of protein from hydrolyzed whey, giving you a quick and satisfying energy boost. The crispy wafers are coated in delicious French Vanilla Crème, making them a tasty choice for refueling. We regularly carry these tasty bars so grab one next time you’re working out at the gym.
Homemade Protein Balls
You can also make your own protein balls, which is a great way to create a snack tailored to your preferences. These recipes are incredibly flexible—you can adjust ingredients, increase protein content, or eliminate anything that doesn’t suit your diet. This is especially helpful if you have food sensitivities or want a clean option free from unnecessary additives like preservatives. Plus, homemade protein balls are an easy, delicious way to stay fueled on the mountain – just put them in a sandwich bag and throw them in your pocket
Simple Protein Ball Recipe
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 scoops whey or vegan protein powder
- 2 ½ tbsp. honey or liquid allulose syrup for a sugar-free option
- ½ cup almond butter
- 1-2 tbsp. water (more if needed due to high altitude)
- 2 tbsp. shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp. dark chocolate chips
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Roll the mixture into 12 evenly-sized balls and arrange them on a tray. Refrigerate for about an hour to allow them to firm up before serving. Store the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – 21g of protein
Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars are a convenient and delicious snack to fuel your day on the mountain or keep you energized during workouts. With 21g of protein and the taste of classic cookie dough, these bars make it feel like you’re indulging straight from the mixing bowl. Packed with 12g of fiber and made with complete, dairy-based proteins, they provide a balanced macro profile, including all nine essential amino acids. Plus, they’re free from added sugars, making them a satisfying, keto-friendly option to crush cravings without compromise. A favorite among RMFLEX members, grab one at your next workout for a portable and protein-packed treat!
Polar Joe Protein-Based Coffee Drink – 21g of protein
The Polar Joe drink mix is the perfect protein-packed iced coffee cold brew for your day on the mountain. Simply mix it in your water bottle, and you’ve got a delicious drink to fuel your ride up the ski lift. With 21g of protein, 110mg of caffeine, and only 9g of sugar, it provides the energy you need to power through your day. The 9g of sugar offers glucose, which is a beneficial fuel for your muscles during activities like skiing, helping sustain your energy and performance throughout the day. We carry Polar Joe at the front desk at Rocky Mountain Flex—grab one next time you’re in the gym to take on your next trip to the mountains!
Bonus tip: Save this list for when you need day hiking or backpacking snack ideas—these high-protein options work just as well off the slopes!
Looking for Exercises to Get Ready for Ski and Snowboard Season?
Whether you’ve been skiing for years or are just starting out, preparing your body for the demands of the season is essential. Rocky Mountain Flex trainer Luke Rowe recently shared his top foundational ski exercises and advanced ski performance exercises for kids and adults, designed to help you build strength, improve balance, and enhance flexibility.
Ski-specific training isn’t just about better performance on the mountain—it also reduces your risk of injury and helps you recover faster after a long day in the snow. Focusing on these foundational exercises can benefit both skiers and snowboarders, helping you get the most out of the ski season.
Get ready for Colorado’s ski and snowboard season with coach Luke’s full exercise guide here: FlexFlow’s Top 5 Foundational Ski Exercises for All Ages.
