5 Unique Colorado Apres Ski Experiences
Submitted by alison on Tue, 01/21/2014 - 1:14pm
Often associated with skiing in Europe, après ski has become a fixture of the Colorado ski scene. From kicking back with a Coors at the local dive bar to high-end cocktails at a slopeside restaurant, the après ski culture is as varied as the skiers who visit the Rocky Mountains year after year, and it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide where to head after a day on the slopes. Looking for an après to remember? Up the ante this year, and try one of these unique destinations.
1. The Classic Après Experience:
The Red Lion: Vail, CO
Whether it's your first Colorado ski vacation or you just want to get back to the basics, a stop at the Red Lion, in the heart of Vail, will feel like the classic après ski experience. From the European-style architecture to the sunny outdoor patio, you'll have no problem kicking back and resting those tired ski muscles. A hearty menu and variety of beer and cocktails will help you refuel.
2. The Elevated Après Experience:
Cocktail Classic: Aspen, CO
Nobody does high-end better than Aspen, so it's the perfect place for an upscale après experience. A brand-new annual event, the Cocktail Classic celebrates après ski mixology with tastings, parties, seminars and more. Sample classic après beverages or try something totally new from some of the top industry names. This year, the event will be held from March 13th to March 16.
3. The Rustic-Refined Après Experience:
Heck's at the Ranch: Granby, CO
Located at Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort in Granby, Heck's is modeled off the Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood in Oregon. The six-sided ("hex") restaurant boasts stunning architecture, live music five nights a week, a fantastic happy hour, and a rotating, seasonal menu. It's the perfect stop after a day at Ski Granby. Even better, book a room for the night.
4. The Divebar Après Experience:
The Moosejaw: Frisco, CO
Noted frequently in ski magazines as having the best burger in Colorado, the Moosejaw offers a laidback alternative to the packed restaurants and bars found on-mountain. Cheap beer and food and a no-nonsense attitude have made this dive a locals' après ski destination for over 40 years, and its prime location (10 minutes from Copper Mountain, 20 minutes from Breckenridge, and 30 minutes from Keystone) makes it an easy stop no matter which way you're headed.
5. The No-Frills Après Experience:
The Yurt: Silverton, CO
Silverton Mountain is the ultimate Colorado destination for serious skiers and snowboarders with a single chairlift and acres of backcountry-style bowl skiing. There are no groomed runs, no on-mountain lodging or dining, and none of the amenities that skiers have come to expect at Colorado's ski resorts. Silverton is focused on the skiing. How do you celebrate a day of conquering some of the most hardcore terrain in the state? With an equally no-frills après scene - in the yurt "lodge" at the base, where you'll enjoy PBR's with the rest of the day's skiers, guides, and patrollers.
