As the winter holidays reach peak season and ski resorts are hit with record amounts of snow, we’re wondering: what’s the best part of a ski day? For some, it’s being the first on the slopes and carving your way into the fresh powder. For others, the pleasure of skiing is in the Après-Ski (which was born in the French Alps, just like us!): gathering with friends around a hot toddy still wearing your ski gear and enjoying the sun going down the mountain. And for some, (like us!) it’s that lunch break that means two things: a necessary mid-day pause and a good meal! If the idea of a greasy overpriced burger doesn’t sound great, then let us introduce you to a concept born in 2021 as a work around COVID-19 restrictions on indoor restauration: Charcuteski! The idea is in the name: a charcuterie board, but on your skis or snowboard!
Find a comfy spot on the slopes tucked in the evergreen pine trees - preferably overlooking the snowy mountain peaks ahead - unpack your favorite prosciutto, speck or saucisson accompanied with crackers and hard-shell cheese and display them to your taste using your skis as a presentation board. Now it’s time to dig in! Our Charcuteski Bundle is lightweight enough to be carried for a whole ski day without slowing you down and has all you need to enjoy your lunch: our classic No.08 Stainless steel folding knife engraved with skiers going down the slopes and the Picnic+ Inserts Fork and Spoon as reusable cutlery to leave that wilderness as pristine at it should.
Craving a quick snack on the lift? Mimic our Opinel & Blackcrows ambassador @Superfrenchieofficial and make a sandwich using our Nomad Cooking Kit! As an avid backcountry skiing and extreme outdoor sports celebrity, trust his selection of favorite Opinel knives to take on his journeys and shop his curated collection here.
Whether you prefer off-piste (make sure to wear appropriate GPS signalisation and respect avalanches warnings) or groomed slopes, the Charcuteski trend fits all skiing profiles. It’s about eating healthier, cutting down the spendings in altitude restaurants, letting your inner artist express and sharing a good meal outdoors.
A ski day doesn’t stop here though, does it? Opinel is the brand for Après-Ski in France: our knives and tools are found on the table in log-style cabins, around a fondue or a stone grill. Make sure to bring your No.10 Corkscrew folding knife with bottle opener so you don’t find yourself knocking on the next apartment’s door to borrow one!
Happy winter!
