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Imagine schussing down powder-cloaked slopes all day, then heading inside late afternoon for nips of mulled wine and a meal of potatoes, pickles, and meats, all draped with melted raclette—a creamy cow’s cheese with a nutty flavor similar to Gruyère. For centuries, this was a scene relegated to the ski chalets of Switzerland, but thanks to Rocky Mountain Raclette, you can enjoy this classic Alpine experience right here in Colorado’s high country.
The woman-owned private dining company brings the spendy European cheese and its accouterments to residences in Vail and Beaver Creek for interactive meals with as much or as little hands-on activity as guests desire. The star of the dining experience is, of course, the raclette, which gets its name from the French “racler,” which means “to scrape.” In its most traditional presentation, a large section of a wheel of raclette is continuously heated over a fire and scraped with a double-sided knife over savory bites.
Founder Kathryn Matthews launched Rocky Mountain Raclette in 2015 after a French acquaintance introduced her to the dining concept. When Matthews left the Vail Valley in 2022, she passed the chef-owner torch to her friend, Alexandra Arama.
“It is a very versatile meal with something for everyone,” Arama says. “It’s not only about the delicious cuisine and fully catered experience, but also the social aspect of slowing down and spending time with friends and family.”
Rocky Mountain Raclette’s Signature Grill Dinner ($150 per adult; $55 per child, with a six-adult minimum) treats Colorado diners to a deluxe version of the raclette meal. It starts with a charcuterie board of Colorado-cured meats by House of Smoke and Il Porcellino, flowing into family-style servings of arugula salad, fingerling potatoes, and ciabatta bread. Onsite staff or guests themselves then cook an array of meats, seafood, and veggies on a hot granite stone, underneath which Swiss-imported Mifroma raclette heats in individual trays. When the cheese has reached a gooey consistency, guests pour it over any bites they see fit; more raclette is melted, and the process repeats.
Arama and her small team tailor Rocky Mountain Raclette’s services to Vail’s usual clientele—ski-seeking visitors from across the world with limited access to kitchen supplies. That means they fully cater the meal from appetizer to dessert—indoor s’mores and apple strudel are favorites—and they bring in all of the cooking equipment, plus linens and platters to set the table. The onsite service also includes prep work and post-meal cleanup.
While the Signature Grill Dinner is Rocky Mountain Raclette’s most popular offering—the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City have even enjoyed it—the company also provides thriftier dining options. The raclette grill delivery box ($100 per adult; $35 per child, with a four-adult minimum) is a DIY route with almost all the same ingredients, the grill equipment, and an instructional video for customers to follow. There’s also a one-hour catered party option ($40 per person with a 10-person minimum and a $150 chef service fee) where a raclette chef handles all the scraping for a larger gathering.
If you’re looking to imbibe, the pros at Rocky Mountain Raclette recommend pairing the cheese with a Beaujolais, Chardonnay, or wheat beer, and while drinks don’t come with their meal, they will pick up alcohol for you before the dinner. Regardless, the wintery feast is a great way to host a party without the hassle.
“We encourage our diners to take their time, interact, share stories, and enjoy the experience together,” Arama says.
