The Best Cocktail Bars in Ski Towns

Newsroom Après The Best Cocktail Bars in Ski Towns

Ski towns across the U.S. have become just as renowned for their après-ski scene as for their world-class skiing. After a long day of exploring glades, carving through powder, or cruising down groomers, there’s no better way to unwind than with a craft cocktail. And while you can no doubt enjoy a Bloody Mary at the ski lodge or a highball from a local dive, many ski towns have elevated their aprés-ski offerings with contemporary cocktail bars that make great drinks. From unique distilleries to historic speakeasies to modern cocktail lounges, you’ll find a little bit of it all in our list of some of the best cocktail bars at ski resorts and in ski towns.

The Best Cocktail Bars In Ski Towns

High West Distillery & Saloon, Park City, Utah 

The world’s first and only ski-in, ski-out distillery, High West, is a Park City must-visit, located just off Main Street in Old Town at the base of the Quittin’ Timex ski run. High West’s original Saloon has evolved over its nearly 20 years of operation from a humble stable and garage into a thriving pair of restaurants, a general store, and a distillery that visitors can tour. High West’s signature spirits include the beloved Double Rye and Rendezvous Rye. Enjoy a High West flight at the Saloon, then grab your favorite bottle from the adjacent store. The Saloon also offers seasonal cocktails, a well-curated wine list, and a hearty menu featuring dishes like Double Rye turkey pot pie, schnitzel, burgers, salads, Wagyu pastrami poutine, elk meatballs, and more.

While the High West Saloon has a more laid-back après-ski vibe, those interested a more unique, exclusive experience should check out The Nelson Cottage (just up the street from the Saloon). The Nelson Cottage offers an upscale dining option with whiskey pairings to complement each course.

High West Distillery, Park City, Utah.
©High West Distillery

Owl Bar, Sundance, Utah

The Owl Bar provides a one-of-a-kind experience, where you can belly up to the bar that Butch Cassidy bellied up to in the late-1800s. The bar, originally located in Thermopolis, Wyoming, was purchased and restored by Robert Redford, who played The Sundance Kid in the famous movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It was then moved to Sundance Resort, where it lives on at the Owl Bar. The bar itself, plus the backbar and liquor cabinets, are all originals and living relics of the American West. The Owl Bar’s cocktail menu is a combination of classic standbys, like the Owl Bar’s version of an old fashioned, as well as a selection of creative drinks, many of which feature house-made shrubs and infusions. The Owl Bar also has a great selection of local and regional beer and wine from Sundance’s own wine label.

The historic bar of The Owl Bar at Sundance Resort
©Mark Weinberg/Sundance Resort

San Simón, Bend, Oregon

San Simón is bound to be a good time with its “sophisticated debauchery” tagline. A combination of eclectic style and exceptional drinks highlight this sleek, speakeasy-esque cocktail bar that’s down an alley in the heart of downtown Bend. The bohemian, candle-lit sitting area of the bar creates a whimsical vibe enhanced by the paper mache replica of a Mayan demigod adorning the wall. This demigod historically had a penchant for bad behavior, adding to the mischievous energy of the bar itself. San Simón’s drinks are of the highest quality, made from freshly-squeezed juices, homemade liqueurs and syrups, and simple ingredients. They serve both small plates and larger food items if you worked up an appetite from skiing all day.

Après Cocktail and Wine, Stowe, Vermont

Stowe has a robust food and drink scene with tons of great après options, including the aptly-named Après. Après is the ultimate cozy post-skiing spot for great cocktails paired with a nice selection of snacks and small plates. Après has a list of wines, several martini variations, and a rotating list of cocktails. Additionally, they have a signature soup each week that’s paired with one of their delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. Recent cocktail menu highlights include their take on the Hanky Panky, a pre-prohibition cocktail with gin, vermouth, and Fernet Branca that’s barrel-aged in house. Bonus: Don’t miss the warm sea salt chocolate chip cookies, which are a perfect aprés-ski treat.

Downtown Stowe Vermont.
Stowe, Vermont ©Shutterstock

The Cave, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Nestled in the basement of the renowned Omni Mount Washington Resort, The Cave is a one-of-a-kind aprés-ski experience. This prohibition-era speakeasy bar is tucked away beneath the resort, evoking a sense of hidden luxury with its stone walls, rustic decor, and dimly lit ambiance. The venue is a nod to the past, with vintage elements and cozy corners that make it feel like a true hideaway. The Cave’s menu features craft cocktails made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The Cave also has live music, bar games, and a lively atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to unwind after a day on the slopes. Note that priority seating is given to hotel guests, ensuring a more exclusive experience.

The Cave Omni Mt. Washington, Bretton Woods, NH.
The Cave ©Omni Mt. Washington

JBar, Aspen, Colorado 

Located inside the historic Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colorado, the JBar has been a beloved social hub since 1889, offering a vibrant mix of history, character, and classic après-ski charm. Once frequented by cowboys, 10th Mountain Division soldiers, and even Hunter S. Thompson, this iconic saloon has stood the test of time. With its Old West vibe, lively atmosphere, and signature charm, the J-Bar remains a favorite spot where locals and visitors mingle together. Enjoy a great selection of J-Bar original cocktail creations, as well as a small wine list and craft beer on tap. The food menu offers a diverse mix of comfort food, including crispy Brussels sprouts, fire-roasted wings, sourdough waffles, mini donuts, and some of the best burgers in Aspen.

J-Bar, Aspen CO, Hotel Jerome.
J-Bar ©Hotel Jerome

Breckenridge Distillery, Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge Distillery is the world’s highest distillery in the Colorado Rockies, making it a prime après-ski spot near Breckenridge Resort. Founded in 2008, it’s renowned for its high-rye mash American-style blended bourbon whiskey, one of the most-awarded craft bourbons in the U.S. Using water sourced from the pristine snowmelt of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge Distillery’s spirits and liqueurs are infused with natural minerals and have earned numerous national awards. We named it one of the best ski town distilleries. Breckenridge Distillery’s food is just as good as the drinks. Their slogan, “Modern American Cuisine with Altitude,” perfectly captures the essence of their relaxed mountain restaurant, which blends Colorado’s laid-back spirit with a steakhouse atmosphere. The menu features a range of dishes, including a flame-grilled baguette with horseradish garlic butter, plantain crisps for snacking, a variety of steak cuts, spiced bison, Trinidadian duck curry, and more.

For an exclusive experience, guests can visit the Members Only Dark Arts Lounge, one of America’s most elite whiskey clubs. Here, visitors enjoy table service with spirits pulled directly from members’ lockers or the bar, with expert drink creations from Billie Keithley, named Icons of Whiskey Manager of the Year in 2021. In addition to its exceptional spirits, the distillery offers a fun twist with Star Wars-themed cocktails, like the Cantina Cocktail Flight and the Obi-Wan Old Fashioned. These playful cocktails add a playful touch to expertly crafted drinks. Visitors can also take part in distillery tours and tastings. 

Breckenridge Distillery, hand pouring a drink with customers looking on by the bar.
©Liam Doran/Breckenridge Distillery

Telluride Distilling Company Tasting Room, Telluride, Colorado 

Known for its impeccable selection of fine wines and innovative cocktails, the Mountain Village Tasting Room provides a refined experience with stunning mountain views just steps from the base of Telluride Ski Resort. Telluride Distilling Company takes full advantage of local, seasonal ingredients to create drinks that not only celebrate the region’s flavors but also elevate classic cocktails with inventive twists. The intimate, rustic space—adorned with wood accents and stone pillars—complements the high-altitude vibe, offering both locals and visitors a cozy refuge after a day on the slopes. Relax by the fire with a glass of its rye whiskey or enjoy a game of pool while sipping on any number of cocktails made with its spirits that include whiskey, gin, vodka, agave, and schnapps. Telluride Distilling Company’s menu of hot drinks, including numerous variations of a hot toddy, are the perfect warmer after a day of skiing.

Telluride Distilling Company Tasting Room, apres ski.
©Telluride Distilling Company Tasting Room

The Rose, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 

Located in the heart of Jackson Hole, The Rose is an elegant cocktail bar that offers a perfect blend of sophistication and rustic charm. Housed in a stylish, intimate space with warm wood accents and chic, contemporary design, The Rose specializes in seasonally-inspired cocktails made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients, housemade syrups, and hand-presses juices. Highlights include their take on a New York Sour and a smoked Negroni alongside a carefully curated selection of fine wines and spirits. The Rose offers the perfect setting for a refined après-ski experience. If you want a turn things up a notch, then head to The Rose after 10 p.m. on weekends for the same great craft cocktails while DJs spin music.

The Rose Jackson Hole, apres ski bar.
©The Rose Jackson Hole

The Cocktail Corner, South Lake Tahoe, California  

The Cocktail Corner, in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, offers an unpretentious yet exceptional cocktail experience that’s just a few miles from Heavenly Ski Resort. The cozy cocktail bar focuses on quality, craftsmanship, and a fun twist on classic cocktails. The menu rotates seasonally, featuring a diverse range of drinks, from refreshing gin-based concoctions to bold, whiskey-forward creations made with fresh, local ingredients. The Cocktail Corner also has a great food menu with everything from hearty small plates like lobster mac & cheese to larger entrees like steak frites. Visit on weekend mornings for its bubbly brunch, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Cocktail Corner shares a patio with their sister restaurant, Lake Tahoe AleWorX, known for wood-fired pizzas and craft beer, making this the perfect little corner of South Lake Tahoe to cozy up for food and drinks day or night.

Cocktail Corner, S. Lake Tahoe, apres ski.
©Cocktail Corner South Lake Tahoe

Spotted Bear Spirits, Whitefish, Montana  

In the scenic town of Whitefish, Montana, Spotted Bear Spirits is a distillery and cocktail bar that offers a unique and intimate experience for those looking to enjoy unique spirits and cocktails in a charming tasting room. Known for its small-batch, handcrafted liquors made from local Montana ingredients, Spotted Bear offers a selection of distinctive cocktails that highlight the flavors of the region. Daisy May’s Whiskey Sour, featuring their single malt whiskey and smoked tea, and the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, are some of the standouts. Guests can also sample a range of their award-winning spirits, including gin, vodka, bourbon, single malt whiskey, coffee liqueur, limoncello, and a lot more. The knowledgeable staff is passionate about their craft and eager to share the story behind each spirit, adding an educational element to the tasting experience. 

Discover more of the top après-ski bars in North America

Header image: ©Liam Doran/Breckenridge Distillery

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