This Ski Resort Has Its Own Taco Truck Built in a Snowcat
2019 Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort
In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, there’s a roaming snowcat that brings skiers tacos, Mexican sodas, and more amazing street food fare so they can get a quick bite and continue on their runs.
Steamboat Springs is already considered a must-go destination for avid skiers, and Taco Beast is just one more good reason to visit.
2019 Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort
According to the Denver Post, Taco Beast, a working snowcat transformed into a food truck, premiered at the Steamboat Ski Resort in the spring of 2018, but has been roaming the slopes this past winter. Skiers and snowboarders can order from four kinds of tacos, including shredded beef barbacoa, elk chorizo, pollo asado, and Tres Hermanas (vegetarian, butternut squash, black beans, and corn), plus esquites (street corn), salsas, and beverages.
The Beast is docked at the Rendezvous Lodge every night, and operator Dan Luchs and chef Sean Hengstler begin finding a good place to set up every day around 5 a.m., according to CNN. “When I fire up the beast, I kind of feel like I'm piloting a spaceship,” Luchs said.
As with all food trucks, Taco Beast relies on good weather to stay open. According to 5280, the snowcat was running for only 10 days when it first opened due to weather conditions. But it’s managed to stay in business, probably due to its amazing food. As of late January, the Beast sold over 1,250 tacos, according to 5280.
“I wanted to give guests some variety, but not go too crazy or too overboard,” said executive chef Adam White, who created the Taco Beast menu, to 5280.
2019 Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort
Since it moves around, skiers can follow the Taco Beast’s current location on Twitter. According to the Taco Beast website, the food truck is open for lunch only, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays during the winter season, which ends in mid-April.
After that, according to The Know, you might be able to catch the Taco Beast by visiting the mountain’s base during the off-season on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
