When it comes to ending a day on the slopes, location is everything. The proper venue not only hosts a great scene, ample regulars, and a proclivity towards ‘the wild side’ of things, but it also resembles the place in which it inhabits.
Also Read: Staying in Banff & Lake Louise – An Insider’s Guide to Best Après
Whether that’s east coast or west, the best ski areas in the USA have après scenes that are in lockstep with their local culture. So in order to honor these cultural watering holes, we’ve compiled a list of our top 30 aprés bars in the USA.
Here we go…
Top 30 Aprés Bars In The United States [2018/2019]
30) The Clocktower Cellar | Mammoth Lakes, CA
Foosball, whiskey, and a long beer list are just part of what make the Clocktower Cellar in Mammoth Lakes special. The after-ski go-to has been a favorite amongst locals since opening in 1993 and if you’re looking for the best Whiskey bar in the Sierra– look no further.
Find out more here: The Clocktower Cellar
29) North Pole Bar | Mt Bohemia, MI
The further north you head in the mid-west, the rowdier it gets. Mt Bohemia is no exception to the rule and their North Pole Bar is about as soulful as ski bars come. Grab a “Broken Snowboard” before jumping into the largest hot tub on the Upper Peninsula.
Find out more here: The North Pole Bar
28) Slopes Night Club & Hotel | Hunter Mountain, NY
Looking for a one-night love affair after skiing atop teeth chattering ice all day? Then look no further than Slopes Night Club @Huntah. Nowhere else in ski country does the Jersey Shore vibe flourish quite the same. Then drink ya Jeager bahmb and hit the dance-floor Joey!
Find out more here: Slopes Night Club
27) The Wobbly Barn | Killington, VT
Besides being the biggest ski area in New England, Killington has a lit party scene to boot. The live music go-to’s are the Wobbly Barn and the Pickle Barrel but if we had to choose one– we’d have to get wobbly.
Find out more here: Wobbly Barn
26) Snorting Elk Cellar | Crystal Mountain, WA
Inspired by the time-tested aprés scenes in Austria, The Snorting Elk lives up to its old world heritage. Open 7 days a week, there’s no better place to grab a cold one and watch it snow after a long day of skiing at Crystal Mountain.
Find out more here: Snorting Elk Cellar
25) Great Northern Bar & Grill | Whitefish, MT
Whitefish is a surprisingly bustling town with good access to skiing and as such– skiers go downtown to do most of the partying. If you’re fresh to the area, scope out the Great Northern Bar & Grill where locals and tourists get along famously over lots and lots of Buffalo Trace whiskey.
Find out more here: Great Northern Bar & Grill
24) The Cave | Bretton Woods, NH
Once you’ve descended into the belly of the cave– things are actually quite comfortable. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself. Scotch and fine wine drinkers will find plenty of selection here. This is a bucket-list item for anyone who’s never spent the night at Bretton Woods.
Find out more here: The Cave
23) Garfinkles | Vail, CO
Garfinkles is the go-to aprés joint in the Lionshead area of Vail. The food is outstanding pub fare and the drinks are strong and the service– fast. Just make sure to get there just prior to the lunch rush (*or apres).
Find out more here: Garfinkles Vail
22) Grizzly Ridge | Bridger Bowl, MT
Bridger Bowl is as home-grown as it gets and the non-profit ski area is also home to one of the best aprés bars in the Northern Rockies. Grizzly Ridge is a local’s favorite and the best part about this particular watering hole is how it backs right up to the dirt parking lot. This proximity allows for the perfect balance of tailgating/bar shenanigans to intermix freely.
Find out more here: Grizzly Ridge
21) General Stark’s Pub | Mad River Glen, VT
What would this list be without some mention of the über classic, Mad River Glen? Located just below the famed single chair lies the ski area’s equally legendary bar, General Stark’s. A great place to grab a beer and a bite, no trip to MRG is complete without bellying up to this classic bar.
Find out more here: General Stark’s Pub
20) Montana Jack | Big Sky, MT
One of the few options at the base of Big Sky Resort, Montana Jack (*the bar formerly known as Whisky Jack’s) is a western great. An authentic saloon style vibe permeates the walls, or maybe it’s the smell of spilled beer.
Find out more here: Montana Jack
19) Club Car | Mary Jane, CO
If you can find the local’s entrance– good for you. What everyone can appreciate equally is the great outdoor terrace that lets you watch people crush bumps under the Super Gauge Express.
Find out more here: Club Car
18) The Matterhorn | Stowe, VT
When it comes to ski bars in the Northeast, perhaps the best known is Stowe’s Matterhorn. Not only does the bar fall perfectly in line with Stowe’s alpine ambience, the bar is occupied by equal parts locals and Boston residents. Something tells me Sam ‘Mayday’ Malone chatted up a few members of the opposite sex here back in the day.
Find out more here: The Matterhorn
17) The Ratskeller | Government Camp, OR
Pizza, beer, and a great atmosphere make the Ratskeller one of Mt Hood’s best bars. The restaurant’s trademark is fresh and surprisingly healthy food and the bar is everything anyone could want in a local gathering place.
Find out more here: The Ratskeller Bar
16) The Trap Bar & Grill | Grand Targhee, WY
There’s one reason why Grand Targhee locals consider their home-hill better than the rest– DEEP SNOW. After a day of slashing extraordinarily light pow, there’s no better place to wind down and check out each other’s insta shots. Just make sure to share over a plate of Wydaho Nachos.
Find out more here: The Trap Bar & Grill
15) The Avalanche | Crested Butte, CO
As a town, Crested Butte is home to a seriously quirky culture. That same peculiar atmosphere permeates The Avalanche. Wings and pizza are both go-to’s for locals who need a bite between runs. After the skiing is over, hunker down for a beer in this vibe forward establishment. Not to mention– they have a ‘bar webcam.’ Just in case you were wondering if your stool is open.
Find out more here: The Avalanche
14) Foggy Goggle | Sunday River, ME
Aprés in the northeast is absolutely necessary on the good days just as much as on the bad. The Foggy Goggle is a go-to for either and is host to some of the best on-hill parties in New England. Live music is usually available on Friday/Saturday each week.
Find out more here: Foggy Goggle
13) Grizzly’s | Stratton, VT
Grizzly’s is where weekend warriors from Boston, Buffalo, Manchester, and Albany let loose on the weekends. The deck is just delightful. Grab a Vermont-brewed beer and hit the dance floor at one of the best aprés joints in the Green Mountain State.
Find out more here: Grizzly’s
12) Charlie’s Mountain View | Government Camp, OR
Charlie’s Mtn View has been Timberline’s go-to for libations and pub fare since 1977 and that’s not changing anytime soon. The wall art/photography accounts for some of the best “bar deco” in the entire world.
Find out more here: Charlie’s Mountain View
11) The Owl Bar | Sundance Resort, UT
The most classic bar on this list, The Owl’s aesthetic might as well have been drawn from an encyclopedia entry for ‘saloon.’ It’s western, rustic atmosphere is amazing and a crew of diehard locals tend to occupy the bar every evening. Make friends…
Find out more here: The Owl Bar
10) The Bavarian | Taos, NM
The Bavarian might be the best Bavaria-themed restaurant in the entire world that’s not actually in Germany or Switzerland. The authentic menu and sunny deck provide for the best aprés experience in New Mexico. The dirndl’s don’t hurt either.
Find out more here: The Bavarian
9) The Minturn Saloon | Minturn, CO
The Minturn Mile is definitely no secret. That said, it’s not for gapers, Jerry’s, or Joey’s either. It’s a demanding ski that rewards those skilled enough to ski the route with one of the best bars in ski country at its terminus.
Find out more here: The Minturn Saloon
8) Sitzmark Bar and Grill | Alyeska, AK
Alyeska’s Sitzmark is the best live music venue on this list. Some legendary acts such as Bob Weir and Leftover Salmon take the stage almost annually and when it comes to letting your freak flag fly– accept no substitute.
Find out more here: Sitzmark Bar and Grill
7) Gorrono Ranch | Telluride, CO
Alpine vistas, cold beer, and a lively outdoor sundeck, Gorrono Ranch is a classic for oh so many reasons. This aprés spot was the subject of the first viral ski video and it’s still hard to resist yelling, ‘we’re going to Gorrono!’
Find out more here: Gorrono Ranch
6) The Mangy Moose | Teton Village, WY
Despite constant redevelopment at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Mangy Moose remains intact as a ski bum institution. At first, the clientele might seem cheesy if not a bit touristy but head to the upstairs bar and you’ll be greeted by Jackson’s best– or not. Depends on how crusty they’re feeling.
Find out more here: The Mangy Moose
5) T-Bar | Steamboat Resort, CO
There’s something magical going on inside T-Bar. Don’t be fooled by the humble exterior, T-Bar is one of the best restaurants and bars in Steamboat. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it’s the last stop before you reach the actual base area. On weekends, the outside deck regularly hosts some of the best aprés in Colorado.
Find out more here: T-Bar
4) Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro | Aspen Highlands, CO
When it comes to end of season shindigs, Cloud Nine just goes bigger than everyone else. Perhaps nobody on this list resembles Europe as closely as the Aspen locals that inhabit said ‘Bistro.’ Dancing on tables, rosé, you name it– it’s all in play at Cloud Nine.
Find out more here: Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro
3) Grumpy’s | Sun Valley, ID
Nowhere else in the world exudes a “ski bar” vibe better than Grumpy’s. Although the party isn’t as lively as it might be in places like Aspen or Squaw Valley, the locals here don’t mind turning it up a notch with a patented Grumpy’s mug in hand.
Find out more here: Grumpy’s
2) The Peruvian | Alta Ski Area, UT
The Peruvian is a great place to get toe-up next to some of the best skiers on the planet, all the while rocking out to one of the best jukeboxes in Utah. The only drawback to the P-Dog– sometimes there are too many folks trying to be ‘the best skier on the mountain.’ Which leads us to our next and final aprés spot. Where the best skiers on the mountain truly exist…
Find out more here: The Peruvian
1) Le Chamois | Squaw Valley, CA
Located just yards from KT-22, the greatest chairlift in the known universe, is one of the best watering holes on planet earth. The ‘Chamy’ offers up cold beer and hot sake to thirsty skiers and riders coming off the hill. On spring afternoons, the sundeck becomes a who’s who of Olympic skiers, professional snowboarders and industry legends.
Find out more here: squawchamois.com