Party On
Parking-lot tailgating is an art. Here's how to do it right.
Originally written for and published by Skiing Magazine, Nov 2014
Photo: Kjell Ellefson
Visit any parking lot between Sunapee, New Hampshire, and Crystal Mountain, Washington, around 4 p.m. and you’ll realize that skiers tailgate as much as or more than your average Alabama fan. But you already knew that. After all, skiing is a party; you show up early, ski hard all day, and celebrate with burgers, beer and friends. Some of my finest hoots and hollers have transpired in mountain parking lots. Nowhere else does the dress code include helmet hair, windburned cheeks, and goggle tans. For tailgating success, you don’t need much more than friends, basic comestibles, and the warm glow of a day well skied. But a few fun-enhancers always help. Here are our favorites.
Tips:
- Wield water. That beer or bloody tastes pretty bomb, but chances are you’re dehydrated after lapping the mountain all day. Remember to alternate booze with water, one for one.
- Don't fear the theme. Cinco de Mayo? Grill fajitas. Gaper Day? Wear your onesie. Bunch of dudes? Throw on the bratwurst and embrace the sausage fest.
- Be smarter than your dog. Be sure your tailgating location allows dogs before bringing them. Pick up after them, keep their water dishes full, and have their treats and food handy.
- Leave your bong at home. Discretion, discretion, discretion.
- Get your game on. Hula hoops, Swedish corn hole, and beer pong are favorties, but even card games will do.
- Grill. Grilling is fundamental. The collapsible Coleman NXT 300 has ample grill and prep space, and it wheels easily to and from your rig.
- Chairs. Keep a couple of light, comfy chairs in your car so your'e always ready to join the party a few cars down.
- Cooler. Keep your marg mix and beers chilled in a bear-proof Yeti cooler, which preserves ice for days and doubles as a loveseat.
- Collapsible Kitchen. The has everything but the kitchen sink. Set up shop with the shelving and prep area of the Kelty Basecamp Kitchen.
- Lantern. If your'e sticking around to watch the sun set, you'll need a lantern to make sure you don't leave anything behind.
- Hand-cranked blender. Because margaritas don't make themselves. The GSI Vortex Blender attaches securely to any table with a C-clamp.
- Good local meat. Sniff out your local sausage stuffers and patronize them. We're in Colorado, so Boulder Sausage bratwurst is our go-to.
- Beer. Like tasty meat, quality beers are key. Be ready with an ice-cold selection of your favorites. We reccomend Upslope, Avery, Oskar Blues or something from our friends up North, Moosehead.
- Refreshments. Beer not your thing? How about a Gosling's Dark 'n Stormy to-go, or add a little bubbly to your OJ and enjoy an ice cold Korbel mimosa.
- For food prep, card games and flipcup, a good collapsible table, like the Slumberjack Silver Stowaway Camp Table, is crucial.
- Always pack one or two good knives designated solely for parking-lot cooking and serving. The MSR Alpine Kitchen Knife, with its protective sheath, is perfect.
- A bit of shelter from the burning rays or springtime showers helps keep the party going. The Kelty Hula Shadehouse has you covered.