The après ski experience, though usually a pretty great one, can get a bit stale.
It can often involve long waits for mediocre seats, ten minute lines for a single beer, and hour long delays for a plate of nachos.
After a day on the slopes, I want a quick couple of beers and a snack before heading to the hot tub. Nobody wants a several hour dining experience a few hours before dinner.
While the traditional après ski experiences is fantastic aspect of skiing, it’s one that may need to be rethought, at least a little bit.
That’s where 7 Devils Taphouse at Tamarack Resort, ID comes in.
There are a few things that really set 7 Devils Taphouse apart from your typical après ski bar. Most notably, you won’t really be ordering food or beverages through a person.
Instead, you attach your credit card to a QR code ticket, allowing you to scan and order at several kiosks. Food options aren’t super extensive, but what’s available is delicious.
I, personally, had some pork ribs, waffle fries, and coleslaw, all of which were exactly what I needed. Other options include a pulled pork sandwich, wings, Idaho nachos, and more.
Beer and wine is where things become quite a bit more unique.
As with food, drinks (aside from cocktails) are not ordered through a bartender or waiter. Instead, you approach the beautifully massive tap wall, pick which drink you want, scan your QR code, and pour it yourself.
The taps charge based on how much is poured, not per glass, allowing you to pour exactly as much beer, wine, or cider you want. As for options, there are plenty. They’ve got your hoppy IPAs, fruity wheat beers, funky sours, milky stouts, and much more. They also have several seltzers and ciders available on tap and, interestingly enough, several wines available for you to pour yourself. All in all, you have about 40 different drinks to try from the wall, with craft cocktails made as well behind the bar.
^Seven Devil’s tap selection. Credit: Wil Emling
The beauty of a bar like this, of course, is that you don’t have to wait to order your drinks. The danger of a bar like this, of course, is that you don’t have to wait to order your drinks. Since I was exhausted from traveling all day, I only had a couple drinks, but I could definitely see myself getting lost in exploration on the wall of beer.
That said, because you’re charged based on the amount you pour, there’s seems to be no harm in trying the beers before you pour yourself an entire glass, so, go crazy! Try them all!
At the end of the day, 7 Devils Taphouse was exactly the experience I needed, and I’m pretty darn sure it’s the experience you’ll want after a long day of shredding.
7 Devils is located at the base of Tamarack Resort in Idaho, one of many Idaho resorts on the Indy Pass.