Après-ski is paramount to the ski experience. For some, it’s even the most important part of a ski trip. While après-ski has its roots in Europe, ski resorts and ski towns across America have made it their own. Every region and ski resort seems to have their own traditions, unique experiences, and popular bars. In some places it’s all about the on-mountain ski-in, ski-out après experience. Others are known for their fun après-ski parties. And in some destinations, the après-ski action takes place in town at unique craft breweries, tasting rooms, hole-in-the-wall dives, and more.
Let us help you find your new favorite après-ski experience with our guide to the best après-ski bars in America.
The Best Après-Ski Bars in America
Utah
We kick things off in Utah, which has mastered the art of après-ski. While it’s known for The Greatest Snow on Earth®, Utah equally delivers on après-ski, from one-of-a-kind ski-up bars and no-frills local favorites to iconic on-mountain bars, historic saloons, and much more. The après-ski experience in Utah begins on the mountain. Molly Green’s, a cozy A-frame lodge located slopeside at Brighton, stacks two experiences under one roof: Sit-down family dining on the main floor, and an adults-only bar upstairs, which suits night skiers coming off the lifts. In Park City, High West Saloon is the world’s only ski-in distillery, located at the base of the Town Lift at Park City Mountain, and the perfect place to end a ski day with a whiskey tasting or cocktails.
Other bars are steeped in history and Utah lore. The Shooting Star Saloon, roughly 15 minutes from both Snowbasin and Nordic Valley, is legendary for its eccentricities—from wall-to-wall taxidermy to the Star Burger, stacked with two ground-beef patties, two cheese slices, and a grilled Polish knackwurst. Over at Sundance Mountain Resort, Owl Bar patrons can belly up to the restored 1890s bar top originally brought from Thermopolis, Wyoming, where Butch Cassidy once drank. For skiers who spend their day on the slopes, but base themselves in Salt Lake City, the après scene back in town offers no shortage of choices. Chief among them is the aptly named Beer Bar—co-owned by Modern Family actor Ty Burrell—featuring 30 beers on tap and more than 140 bottled selections.
East
Killington‘s Wobbly Barn is a bustling nightclub, live music venue, and steakhouse that’s been a winter staple in Central Vermont since 1963. Built from a collection of assorted barn pieces from across New England, the Wobbly Barn goes big with its big steaks, big salad bar, and more. Bonus: There’s usually free admission to the nightclub when dining at the steakhouse (with the exception of holidays or special events).
Also in Vermont, Stark’s Pub at Mad River Glen has been called one of the “World’s Top Après Bars” by Men’s Journal Magazine. General Stark’s Pub features a full bar and table service for lunch and après-ski with a great selection of craft beer and a hearty pub menu. You’ll also find the “Wall of Fame,” where photos of Mad River Glen’s iconic “Ski It If You Can” bumper stickers from around the world are displayed.
Over in New Hampshire, the motto of Iron Furnace Brewing, near Cannon Mountain Ski Area in Franconia, is “Beer, Food, Friends.” Founded by former college buddies in 2017, they describe their craft brews as “beers that tend to be hop forward,” yet they still have a lot of variety. You can choose from pale ales, stouts, goldens, and more.
The Bag and Kettle, at the base of Sugarloaf in Maine, has been a Sugarloaf institution for decades. “Alpine Altitude Ales” include stouts, German lagers, and more, while a wide selection of stews, soups, The Bag Burger, and pizza characterize their food menu. The Bag also has a great whiskey list and often hosts flight nights that feature different distilleries from around the world.
Midwest
In Michigan, Mount Bohemia‘s rustic North Pole Bar and Restaurant has a nostalgic feeling. Featuring local Keweenaw Brewing Company’s draft beers, the North Pole also serves up crepes as its sweet-treat specialty. On Friday and Saturday nights there’s live music. Additionally, don’t miss Mount Bohemia’s Log Cabin Italian Bistro, located inside the Nordic Spa. Bring your bathing suit so that you can enjoy the spa’s huge outdoor hot tub after dinner.
Also in Michigan, near Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Short’s Brewing Company is considered one of the top breweries in Michigan. They have an extensive list of brews and a great gastropub menu. Try one of their signature toasted sandwiches, which are served with Great Lakes kettle chips. Weekends feature live music by regional musicians, and Short’s hosts a number of great events throughout the season.
West
Out West we start in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a town known for more than skiing and riding. Visit the legendary Mangy Moose, which has been around for more than 50 years. Located in Teton Village, at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Mangy Moose is known for its saloon vibe, unique restaurant, and live music that takes place practically every day. Menu highlights include the margarita, featuring a house-infused tequila with a secret blend of fruit.
A trip to Jackson Hole isn’t complete without a visit to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Opened in 1937, the bar is no ordinary après-ski bar. Saddle up, literally, to the bar lined with saddle bar seats, and enjoy live music just about every night of the year.
Heading to Colorado, the Double Diamonds Bar in Steamboat Springs has made USA Today’s list of best après-ski bars in North America on multiple occasions. Go big or go home with the bacon-wrapped tater tots or truffle tots, which pair nicely with any of their craft beers or cocktails. TBar is another renowned bar, located at the base of Breckenridge’s Peak 8, and steps from the free BreckConnect Gondola. High-energy DJs spin music every Friday and Saturday. The bar features elevated takes on classic cocktails, like the Peak 8 Draft Margarita and the TBar Bloody Mary.
Vail, Colorado is home to so many great après-ski bars, not the least of which is Garfinkel’s. The locally-owned Garfs, as it’s known, is located in Lionshead Village, making it a great spot after a day of skiing. The walls inside tell the stories of the past with photos of patrons, athletes, and events gone by. Highlights of the menu include build-your-own burgers, soups, and rotating specials.
We’d be remiss to talk about the best après-ski bars in Colorado and not talk about Aspen, a past winner of Best Resort for Après-Ski in OnTheSnow’s Visitors’ Choice Awards. Aspen Snowmass is dotted with great lounges, wine bars, dives, and more. However, it doesn’t get much more uniquely Aspen than the aptly named Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro atop the Cloud Nine lift. It’s where Switzerland meets the Rocky Mountains. Highlights include heaping amounts of fondue, caviar, champagne, and strudel. Note that reservations are required. For something on the classier side in Aspen, check out Element 47, at The Little Nell, which we named one of the best ski town wine bars.
In California, after a day of ripping up Mammoth Mountain, head to Clocktower Cellar, located in the Alpenhof Lodge just across from the Village Gondola. Select from more than 160 whiskeys, 26 beers on tap, and 50 different bottles of beer. Their pub-style menu features Bavarian-style classics, like schnitzel, and a variety of sandwiches. Clocktower’s atmosphere is divey and casual with a jukebox, foosball, and pool tables.
With so many incredible Lake Tahoe après-ski bars, it’s impossible to narrow it down to just one, so here are a few favorites. In South Lake Tahoe, across from Heavenly’s California Lodge, Himmel Haus is a little taste of Europe with its German bier garden, Bavarian dishes, and overall German vibe. On the north side of Lake Tahoe, one of Tahoe’s most famous après-ski bars, Le Chamois, is located at The Village at Palisades Tahoe. Affectionately known as the Chammy, Le Chamois has been slinging drinks and creating fun vibes for decades. Here, it’s all about the “Buddy Pass,” their signature deal that comes at a variety of price points with up to $40 in savings. KT Base Bar, at the base of the iconic KT-22 lift, is another epic Palisades Tahoe bar. Don’t miss their après party on Fridays and Saturdays.
We round out the best U.S. après-ski bars in Washington, at Crystal Mountain, and its Rathskeller-style bar, Snorting Elk Cellar, featuring a roaring fire and 18 local craft beers on tap. During the winter the Snorting Elk is host to a wide range of events and some of the best-themed parties on the mountain, including the Polyesta Fiesta (dust off your polyester digs), retro ski night, and Amateur Ski and Snowboard film night.
Hero image ©Utah Office of Tourism
