When you’re burning energy in the great and chilly outdoors (emphasis on chilly, like think frigid), your body’s working even harder to push itself while staying warm. That extra effort requires more energy, which requires more fuel (see where we’re going?). Mid-adventure hunger can hit harder than a nor'easter. Be prepared with right snacks: Think protein-packed, rich with flavour, and oh-so warm and gooey. 

Below are six snack ideas that deliver warm and hearty nourishment, whether you’re snacking on-the-go in the snow, or thawing out in the chalet. 

1. An amped-up winter trail mix

To round out your winter snack strategy, consider this classic pairing: A homemade trail mix paired with a warm drink in a thermos. Cold-weather outdoor activities can cause quick energy drops, and the pairing of fast fuel (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips, and chunks of SimplyProtein Bars) with warmth (tea, hot cocoa, or warm apple cider) will keep you smiling ear-to-ear (through your soggy balaclava).

Make a bag of homemade SimplyProtein trail mix for your outdoor pack with an extra protein hit and a fun texture.

Why we love a trail mix:

• Fast boost of protein and calories
• Packs easily for long-distance hikes or skating
• Endless customization

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2. Après-ski Tortilla Charcuterie Nachos

There’s nothing quite like collapsing into a cozy lodge after a full day on the slopes. Your legs are jelly, your face is chapped, and your appetite? Ferocious. That’s where Tortilla Charcuterie Nachos come in, the perfect après-ski snack that doubles as a meal.

This recipe layers classic charcuterie items (creamy brie cheese, cured meats, fresh herbs) into an elevated warm and indulgent, protein-forward nacho platter (all thanks to a base layer of our Protein Tortilla Chips). More crunch than a cracker, more protein than your average chip, and tough enough to hold up under melted cheese (while you melt into the sofa), our Protein Tortilla Chips make “Après all day” even more appealing.

Why we love après-ski Tortilla Charcuterie Nachos:

• Replaces calories burned on the hill with protein
• Easy to prepare for a crowd
• Pairs beautifully with après-ski drinks (mulled wine, hot cider, or a mocktail)

Get the Recipe: Tortilla Charcuterie Nachos

3. Kid-friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte (to warm up between toboggan runs!)

After a morning of sledding, snowman-building, or backyard snowball fights, nothing warms small (and big) hands like a cozy mug of something semi-sweet. Our Kid-Friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte delivers all the comfort, without the sugar overload, and pairs perfectly with a Dipped Bar for a protein boost (perfect for dipping).

Made with real pumpkin, warm spices, and the milk of your choice (so it can even be dairy-free), it’s a smooth, softly spiced drink that’s the ultimate reward after a day in the snow.

Why we love a Pumpkin Spice Latte paired with a Dipped Bar:

• Warms you from the inside out
• Ideal for a mid-activity break at home or in a thermos
  
• Crowd-pleasing for kids and adults

Get the recipe: Kid-Friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte

4. Protein Snack Bars (a pocket-sized energy boost)

A leisurely snack outdoors in winter doesn’t hold the same allure as a picnic on a summer day, so grab-and-go with a SimplyProtein Crispy Bar or peanut-free Dipped Bars for kids. It’s lightweight, backpack-friendly, and packed with 6-13g of plant-based protein for a slow-burn release that’ll keep you warm and revved for “just one more run” on the ski hill.

Why we love Crispy Bars and Dipped Bars:

• Slips into pockets and backpacks 
• Easy to eat without taking off gloves 
  
• Shareable with hiking pals

Shop Crispy Bars 

Shop Dipped Bars 

5. Buffalo Ranch Dip (warm, gooey post-activity fuel)

There’s always one person in the household who ends up shovelling the snow. And if the other person warm and cozy inside knows what’s good for them, they’ll have this creamy, tangy, protein-packed Buffalo Ranch Dip waiting.

A warm snack after a winter activity is your best friend, and this one checks every box, especially with a side of SimplyProtein Tortilla Chips.

Quick to assemble and baked until bubbly and spicy, it turns snack time into a full sensory reward for braving the cold.

Why we love this Buffalo Ranch Dip:

• Warm and satisfying, especially after high-effort activities 
• Whipped up in minutes 
  
• Great for game night after a day outside
  

Get the recipe: Buffalo Ranch Dip

6. A Slow Cooker Chili to get your tastebuds racing

The beauty of this Slow Cooker Chili is that moment after a day of snowshoeing, when your cheeks are red and your toes are feeling just a tad numb, and you remember you’ve got this delicious, aromatic dish waiting for you at home. 

Using beans, veggies, spices, and your favourite protein, it’s a low-effort, high-reward meal that’s best enjoyed with our Protein Tortilla Chips to use as scoopers.

Why we love this Slow Cooker Chili:

• You can make it ahead so it is ready the moment you walk back through the door
• Comfort food that fuels muscle recovery 
  
• Delicious when scooped with SimplyProtein Tortilla Chips for extra crunch
  

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chili

Before braving the cold, remember to…

1. Prioritize protein

When temperatures drop, your body works overtime to maintain its core temperature, meaning you burn through energy (and glycogen) faster than usual. Protein helps keep you fuller for longer and supports muscle repair after all that shovelling, skating, or snow-trekking. You may not feel it (cause you’re freezing) but most winter activities are a great workout. Just remember that you gotta fuel the furnace!

2. Bring warm snacks when possible

It honestly feels like we lose body heat just staring out a window at the snow. When you actually brave the outdoors and step outside, snacks can help stabilize your internal temperature. A thermos-friendly drink or soup warms you up from the inside out.

3. Pack more than you think you’ll need

Cold exposure actually increases metabolic rate, so you’ll burn calories faster, even at lower activity levels. (So no shame to our friends cruising down the bunny hill.)

Pack more snacks than you think you’ll need (solid life advice in any season) and you’ll avoid a dreaded hanger tantrum (made 1000x worse when paired with a snowsuit).

4. Keep snacks accessible

The quicker you can grab a bite, the less heat your body loses (think of your poor little fingers, exposed to the elements!). Stash snacks (like protein bars) in outer pockets, hip belts, or pouches so you’re not digging through layers like you’ve lost your passport. Easy access means more consistent fuelling and warmer fingers.

Full bellies, warm hearts

The answer to nearly everything (“I’m cold! I’m bored! I’m hangry!”) is almost always a hearty snack. For extra-long chairlifts, breathers during toboggan runs, or a dreamy family skate under twinkle lights, having the right, tasty snacks tucked into a pocket, or something warm and flavourful waiting for you at home, makes all the difference. 

Go forth into the cold, brave souls, and snack with gusto!