Energy bar companies can claim to be natural and organic, but can they claim to be homemade? Tram Bars can, because they actually are. Tram Bar is an energy bar in the tradition of Cliff Bars (they even look the same) but don’t be fooled. These blocks of outdoor food are soft and tasty, without the nasty texture that plague most energy bars. Even better, Tram Bars are produced locally in Victor, Idaho by the owner, Kate Schade.
The story goes that Kate started making her own energy bars in her kitchen so she could take them skiing with her at Jackson Hole. Since ski bums can’t afford the inflated restaurant prices at ski resorts, word eventually got around about her tasty creations. Over time, friends successfully convinced her to produce them commerically and release Tram Bars to the public.
Luckily for us, having Kate’s Tram Bars pre-packaged and shipped around the Intermountain West doesn’t change the homemade taste and consistency of the bars. After getting a box of Tram Bars along with the spicy-flavored Caz Bars, I took them out with me on hiking and mountain biking adventures. The verdict? I think Tram Bars are the best tasting energy bar I’ve ever eaten.
Imagine the natural, peanut butter taste of an old-school Tiger’s Milk bar, only packed with organic oats, honey, chocolate, rice nuggets, dried fruit and seeds. Every bite delivers a different flavor among a foundation of peanut butter. There really isn’t anything like it among the energy bar world.
Tram Bars are also thick and heavy, much like the homemade energy bars my friend makes in his oven at home. In fact, you get so much food in one package, I ended up usually only eating half, then putting the rest in my pack for a quick energy boost later in the day.
The other flavor Tram Bar offers is the Caz Bar. Again, there is nothing quite like it. Spicy and exotic, the Caz Bar flavor is like a transportation device to Morocco where the only things missing are dusty street vendors, mosques, and a hot desert wind. For me, the Caz Bar is an aquired taste. I could taste the spices long after consumption, which led me to drink too much water on the trail. As a result, I preferred to eat the Caz Bar as an afternoon snack at home or work.
Of course, since Tram Bar is headquartered in the Tetons, the bar is named after the tram at Jackson Hole Ski Resort. Good thing us Utahns have our own tram at Snowbird, so when taking a bite from a Tram Bar, just close your eyes and imagine the Snowbird tram in your head.
That is if you can find them. Unfortunately, Tram Bars can be difficult to buy here in Utah. Below is a list of retail outlets that stock them, or you can purchase Tram Bars direct at www.trambars.com/buy.htm
Tram Bars Utah retail locations:
Park City
Cole Sport
Fairweather Natural Foods
Wasatch Bagel Cafe
Park City Coffee Roasters
Moab
Poison Spider Bicycles
Chile Pepper Bikes