You Can Ski to This Buzzy New Restaurant at California’s Most Famous Ski Resort

This winter, the Voltaggio brothers are opening an Italian-American restaurant at the beloved Mammoth Mountain.

When it comes to wintertime excellence, few mountains can compete with Mammoth.

The California ski resort, in continuous operation since the mid-1950s, has long been a destination where skiers and riders can count on excellent snow conditions. In fact, the mountain is beloved for its extended seasons, often starting in early November and sometimes lasting all the way through July 4. It's a spot you can typically count on for a great time, too, and soon, you'll even be able to count on it for some spectacular cuisine.

In the fall, James Beard Award finalist Bryan Voltaggio and his brother Michael Voltaggio, both Food Network stars, announced they are spearheading a new modern Italian American concept, Vulcania, and plan to open its doors this ski season sometime around late January 2023.

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"Given the opportunity, Michael and I, we jumped on it," Bryan shared with Food & Wine about taking over a space in The Village, adding that the entire project was two years in the making. "This project is extremely special to us because the menu we have put together is a reflection of what we cook for our families in our own homes. We look forward to sharing our beloved family recipes with both visitors and locals alike," the brothers added in a statement.

The restaurant marks the brothers' first joint concept in California, serving as an homage to their Italian roots and as a love letter to their shared respect for mountain sports.

"We started snowboarding when we were 12 years old," Michael said. "I think as soon as I got my driver's license, Michael and I were hitting the nearest mountain," Bryan added. Michael, rather sheepishly admitted that when Bryan graduated high school, he would come to pick up his little brother in the middle of the day, dressed in snowboard gear, and check him out for the afternoon just so they could shred.

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"I would literally just get up and walk out of school and go snowboarding and skip the rest of the day," Michael said with a laugh.

As for what visitors can expect at the restaurant, the brothers say it will be a full extension of the mountain, welcoming guests still in their boots for a hearty meal and an après drink (or two).

"When the [skiing] brakes in the early evening, it basically lets out at the front door of Vulcania," Michael said. "It gives us an opportunity to really just welcome them back down and continue that experience. The mountain becoming a part of our experience is as important as us becoming a part of the mountain."

Though the brothers are still finalizing their entire menu, they did share a few thoughtfully reimagined Italian-American staples that guests can expect, including pizzas, pasta, salads, and the brother's Rigatoni Arrabbiata, which comes with brown butter sauce and basil, alongside kid-friendly items like VoltaggiOs, their upscale version of SpaghettiOs, which are tiny, handmade noodles paired with fresh meatballs.

"We're [planning on] pouring it tableside out of a can over the meatball. The sauce is basically an arrabbiata sauce that we emulsified butter into to give it the same effect that you would get from that canned spaghetti sauce."

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And if you do happen to be skiing or snowboarding in Mammoth in early 2023, do keep an eye out for the brothers on the mountain because they plan to spend every second outside of the kitchen on the slopes.

"Instead of taking a break and going out for lunch, we might take a couple of runs," Michael said. "The sweet part about this deal is that part of, part of working the line there comes with a lift ticket too."

See more about the project, and stay tuned for opening details, here.