Skiers on Buttermilk, the mountain on which the Winter X Games were held recently, can eat lunch outdoors at the Cliffhouse with panoramic views of the Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Creek Valley. Offerings range from the usual burgers, hot soups and chilis to Mongolian grill — where skiers have their choice of veggies, protein (beef, chicken, calamari or shrimp) and sauces. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)

ASPEN, Colo. — First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to convince children to eat healthy has reached the restaurants on Aspen’s ski slopes this year, but only on top of the hot dogs, chicken fingers, cheeseburger and French fries that kids like.

According to signs in some of the restaurants on Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass, for a single price of $12 kids can choose two items from a cooler on top of their main courses. The items are also available priced individually.

No restaurants on Aspen Mountain (Ajax) are listed as participating in the kids combo, but Ajax is the toughest ski mountain, so there probably aren’t as many children skiing there.

Aspen is usually ahead of the country in consumer preferences, and the restaurants on the slopes and in town are featuring gluten-free alcoholic beverages and foods, and offering the kale salads that are so popular this year.

The Hagstrom Report did not find calorie counts in any of the restaurants on the slopes or in town, but most Aspen restaurants won’t be required to follow the menu labeling provisions of the Affordable Care Act because they not part of chains with 20 outlets or more.

Signs like this offering a “kids combo” that promise “healthy choices, happy kids” are on display in the cafeteria lines of the restaurants on the ski slopes in Aspen. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)

 
Left: This sign details what children skiing in Aspen can get in a $12 kids combo. Right: In addition to their choice of a hot dog, chicken fingers or cheeseburger, all of which come with French fries, kids can choose two "healthy" items such as carrot or celery sticks, fruit, yogurt, apple sauce and organic flavored milk. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)


Nutritionists might question the Cliffhouse’s definition of this portion of beef chili as a “cup.” The restaurant also offers a larger bowl. Each portion is accompanied by corn bread or white bread. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)