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This may seem like a silly premise for a list, but let me set the stage a little here.

The other day I was brainstorming post ideas and I started to remember a couple things that I’d seen resorts call “famous”. The one that I remembered first was also the one that got the wheels turning: Deer Valley’s “Famous” Chili. What’s even more interesting, was that as I dug in, they weren’t the only ones calling it that.

In this episode of Last Chair, we hear from Jodie Rogers the food and beverage director at @Deer_Valley — Can you guess how many gallons of the famous turkey chili Jodie and her team make each day?https://t.co/pVnClJiGtk

— SkiUtah (@SkiUtah) December 27, 2020

Officially had the famous Deer Valley turkey chili. #sogood pic.twitter.com/dxPBFWMFNe

— maybe: jacob (@notJacobJ0hnson) February 20, 2015

Calling something “famous” doesn’t make it so, but calling something that’s super popular “famous” can be a nice little tool to help take something from a could do, to a must do. A bucket list item instead of just an item.

Ten Things
Deer Valley has been amazingly consistent with this. Even on Twitter I could find references back to 2008.

still snowing! Perfect day for some famous Deer Valley turkey chili.

— skideervalley (@skideervalley) December 18, 2008

So, I started to dig around to see what other stuff resort were calling famous. It was hard to gauge how consistent each had been, but here’s what I found.

Big White – Toques
It’s a classic design that’s been around for a long time. I think labeling this as famous is a nice move on this one.

Guess what!? You can buy the famous Big White toque online – in 23 different colours! Share a picture of yourself in your Big White toque in the replies!https://t.co/FeQmXSNMBW

Please note, at this time, shipping is only available within Canada. pic.twitter.com/QNyu3RO4H5

— Big White Ski Resort (@BigWhite) March 10, 2021

Snow Valley – Cheeseburger
Calling a random burger famous might be a stretch, but calling your namesake burger – The Valley Burger – famous? Namesake menu items are already popular, so, again, I think it works well.

I'll take 2 please! Our Valley Famous Valley Cheese Burger with Fries is just one of the mouth watering options available for take out or curbside pick-up this season! Enjoy slopeside or let us deliver to your vehicle!

Visit https://t.co/tYkOhfK421 to place your orders. pic.twitter.com/EzetVTcHAf

— Snow Valley Resort (@SkiSnowValley) March 12, 2021

Our Slopeside Takehome menu is back this Friday and Saturday with additions! The F&B crew has added Fish Tacos with a mango salsa for Friday and our famous Valley Burger with Cheese is available Saturday evening.

Pre- order anytime at https://t.co/yrTD58oprb pic.twitter.com/c2AYlXtB3z

— Snow Valley Resort (@SkiSnowValley) February 1, 2021

Also, bonus points of consistency which certainly appears to be a reason for Deer Valley’s success.

Our Valley Famous Valley Burger with Cheese is making an appearance on this Saturday's Slopeside Takehome menu! The crew is excited to bring this classic to this weeks menu! Poutine and chicken fingers are still available too!

Visit https://t.co/tYkOhfK421 to place your order! pic.twitter.com/WL3I0xpQD1

— Snow Valley Resort (@SkiSnowValley) February 4, 2021

Lookout Pass – Free Ski School
Sometimes all it takes is being super different and loved for a very specific reason. And free ski school? That’s a perfect example. Famous works for this on in my book.

Famous FREE Ski School at Lookout Pass Ski Area, what a BLAST! pic.twitter.com/cRCl0OsTMz

— Lookout Pass (@skilookout) February 20, 2021

Lake Louise – Views
Every resort touts incredible views, but I’ve only known a few people who have visited Lake Louise for the first time while I’ve known them and the views were something each of them talked about. If your views are famous with your guests from all over the world, why not call them world famous?

We’re expecting the same great mountain conditions today that we’ve been enjoying all week with great snow, mostly sunny skies, and a pleasant daytime high of -6. Come out and take in our world-famous views while you explore everything from pristine groomers to our classic steeps pic.twitter.com/9JjlBsEMcW

— Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola (@SkiLouise) February 18, 2021

Alta – Alf’s High Rustler
I really like what Alta did here. Alta has long since established Alf’s as a famous run, but they then used this notoriety to prop up another incredible run. Once you’ve got something famous in your toolbelt, this is a nice way to use it.

While Alf’s High Rustler is our most famous run, the Main Chute of Mount Baldy is the crown jewel. 👑💎

Enjoy a top-to-bottom #T2B ride with @JulianCarr.

⛷: @JulianCarr
📹: @JulianCarr
🎵: @JulianCarr #T2B #MainChute pic.twitter.com/zwqnLFR4QW

— Alta Ski Area (@AltaSkiArea) January 11, 2021

Mount Washington – Cinnamon Buns
Mount Washington has another food item that they call famous and I love this addition to the list for a simple reason: it’s tradition-able (totally a word). Meaning, it’s small enough and simple enough that it could become part of the traidtion of making a trip to the mountain. Burgers, chili, a cinnamon bun all could be part of that experience folks look forward to.

Have you tried our famous cinnamon buns? ☕
Available in Eagle View Bistro and Raven Lodge, this ski-day classic will give you the energy you need to make it through the afternoon thigh-burners! Make it a resolution to reward yourself more in 2021 🙌

📸 : Paige Owen pic.twitter.com/eAmFTqw2QZ

— Mount Washington (@MountWashington) January 2, 2021

Jackson Hole – Logo
When you’ve got a brand like Jackson Hole that’s got more brand awareness than just about any brand in our sport? Yeah, you can call it famous all day long.

Proud to be in the Cowboy State. Do you know the name of the horse in the famous Bucking Horse and Rider logo? #jacksonhole #jhdreaming pic.twitter.com/odzzI22JgU

— Jackson Hole (@jhski) September 23, 2020

Smugglers’ Notch – Disc Golf
As I mentioned last week, Smuggs’ has taken their disc golf seriously to be incredibly well-known for their courses through the top-tier tournaments they hold and apps like Udisc. So calling their courses “world famous” is not only accurate, it’s almost an understatement.

Last night's sunset…👌

With cooler temps moving in this weekend, come enjoy a round of disc golf at one of our two world-famous courses. Please call 802.644.2477 or e-mail DiscGolf@Smuggs.com to set up a tee time prior to your visit. 👉 https://t.co/LxiFxIg83c pic.twitter.com/2tFK3GBIli

— Smugglers' Notch (@Smugglers_Notch) September 18, 2020

Pats Peak – M&M Cookie
Something doesn’t have to be known all over the globe to be famous, even just something well known to locals and the folks in your community is plenty. Pats Peak has a locally famous cookie and they said so.

https://twitter.com/patspeak/status/1295455880151027719

Seven Springs – Fries & Funnel Cake
Finally, if you really want something to be famous but it isn’t there yet? Or you expect it to be? Prime that pump a little bit and tell folks that, yes, it’s new, but it’s so good it’ll be famous before you know it. Nice little play with these.

What goes better with wine than our soon to be famous funnel cake fries and tater tot bar? pic.twitter.com/yvYBQKLMS7

— Seven Springs (@7SpringsPA) August 22, 2019

Use…Wisely
Can you call everything famous? No.

But propping up those 1 or 2 or 3 things that draw people to your resort with a word like “famous”. It’s often something that happens organically, but when it does?

Don’t be afraid to run with it.

About Gregg & SlopeFillers
I've had more first-time visitors lately, so adding a quick "about" section. I started SlopeFillers in 2010 with the simple goal of sharing great resort marketing strategies. Today I run marketing for resort ecommerce and CRM provider Inntopia, my home mountain is the lovely Nordic Valley, and my favorite marketing campaign remains the Ski Utah TV show that sold me on skiing as a kid in the 90s.