Posted By:

Rye Grover aka "Bread"

Last Updated: 07/22/2026

Coming together after a day on the slopes to share great food, good conversation, and time around the table has been part of the Sugar Bowl culture since the 1940s. This winter, that tradition reaches a new level.

With the addition of Culinary Advisor Traci Des Jardins and Head Sommelier Clay Reynolds, we’ve reimagined what dining on the mountain can be. Together, they’ve brought fresh ideas, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a philosophy rooted in California mountain food culture to every menu across the resort.

Their latest focus has been shaping the experiences at Yarrow and The Terrace, our newest dining destinations. From vibrant seasonal dishes and carefully curated wines to inviting spaces that encourage guests to linger a little longer, every detail has been thoughtfully crafted to make a day at Sugar Bowl even more memorable.

Traci Des Jardins: California Flavor Meets Mountain Spirit 

Traci Des Jardins has spent four decades shaping California cuisine and even longer skiing in the Sierra Nevada. That lifelong connection to both the mountains and the kitchen makes her a natural fit at Sugar Bowl.

Her approach to food is rooted in California’s seasonal bounty, with menus that celebrate local farms, fresh ingredients, and flavors that feel both elevated and approachable. Every dish is designed to complement a day in the mountains, not compete with it.

As Traci puts it:

The result is a dining experience that feels distinctly Californian while remaining unmistakably Sugar Bowl: welcoming, thoughtful, and inspired by the Sierra.

Clay Reynolds: Thoughtful Pairings and Slope-Side Efficiency

Clay’s philosophy complements Traci’s perfectly: keep it simple, use exceptional ingredients, and let quality speak for itself. Whether he’s curating a thoughtful wine list or refining a menu, his goal is to create memorable dining experiences without overwhelming guests with endless choices.

At The Terrace, that philosophy takes on a distinctly mountain focus.

It’s about finding the balance between exceptional food and the rhythm of a ski day, serving meals that are fresh, satisfying, and efficient enough to maximize what guests came here to do: enjoy the mountains.

A Reimagined Dining Experience

Together, they are writing a new chapter in Sugar Bowl’s culinary story, one that brings people together over modern California cuisine rooted in community, seasonality, and the spirit of the mountains.

Join us this winter at Yarrow and The Terrace to experience a fresh take on mountain dining, where thoughtful food, exceptional wine, and the warmth of the Sierra come together around the table.