It’s the dead of winter and hearty souls throughout the Rockies and elsewhere defy Old Man Winter by embracing the cold, snow and dark. We never forget to lift our windshield wipers before a snowstorm. We own 14 pairs of gloves, some from the 80s. We don’t buy boots, we invest in boots.

But when it comes to slope side snacks, our problem is simple: we are tired of breaking our teeth on rock hard granola bars while enjoying a day on the slopes. The solution to this problem is jerky.

We are glad this energy/granola bar fad is dumbing down. Have you ever tried to eat a frozen energy bar? It’s like eating a 14-day old steak except it has no meat in it. Granola bars turn to granite. That’s why we eat jerky on the winter’s trail, and we eat it often.

A bag of Mountain America Jerky is the best skiing snack. Our jerky tastes as delicious cold as any other time. It is not individually wrapped, and our bags are compact for your jacket pocket. It’s good for you and meat warms the belly and soul. Here’s a comparison of the two:

Jerky on the Slopes

According to fitness freak Jillian Michaels, beef jerky is “high in protein but low in fat and calories. A 28-gram portion of beef jerky provides about 13 grams of protein…and less than 2 grams of fat, with less than 1 gram of unhealthy saturated fat. Beef jerky is low in carbohydrates.”  Also, jerky is packed with key minerals and nutrients such as iron, which increases energy. In other words, jerky will placate your hungry wife, keep your husband going, and put a smile on your kids’ faces. It is simple and true, unlike energy/granola bars.

Granola & Energy Bars on the Slopes

Energy/granola bars are indigestible after Thanksgiving unless kept and eaten indoors. That’s because the overly produced, sugary “glue” bonding the different parts freezes solid. So the problem with granola bars, regardless of their other ingredients, is that they must be held together somehow. This typically involves some form of syrup, which is going to A) boost sugar content and B) be more prone to freezing in cold temps. Furthermore, granola bars often add processed vitamins and fats for taste and nutrition in a process called fortification. Evidently, the original product is not good enough.

The Clear Winner

Mountain America Jerky is smoked, not fortified. Winter sports enthusiasts, jerky is the way to go. It won’t freeze up like an icicle, it’s delicious, convenient, affordable and good for you. It is a no-brainer to keep your energy up and prevent your group from wanting to go in for the inevitable après ski nachos and beer too soon. If you want to try the best beef jerky in the world, you’re in luck! We make it right here in Colorado in small batches.