The Best Après-Ski Bars in the USA

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While abundant skiing and cold weather may seem like a foreign concept to New Mexico, Taos Ski Valley, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is home to the Bavarian Restaurant. Decked out like a European chalet, it serves German cuisine with lederhosen-clad wait staff. Come early to glug a giant stein of lager on the terrace – it fills up fast on sunny weekends.

At the base of Lionshead Village is Vail hotspot Garfinkel’s, a typical American restaurant that serves dozens of Colorado craft beers on tap, plus nachos, burgers and buffalo wings. The large terrace, overlooking the mountains, is popular in summer and winter with après-mountain crowds relaxing after skiing, mountain biking or white-water rafting. Stick around long enough to see a rowdy evening crowd abuse the infamous shot wheel.

Another cornerstone of North American après-ski is Le Chamois & the Loft Bar near Lake Tahoe in Squaw Valley, California. Founded in 1969, its wildly popular buddy passes make drinking beer easy – $100 gets a group 20 pints of good, old-fashioned Budweiser. These drinking deals, combined with pizza and wings, as well as retro ski decor and California sun, make leaving Le Chamois harder than getting up the next day to hit the slopes.

Established in 1967, the Mangy Moose at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of North America’s best après-ski destinations, known for spicy margaritas, pitchers of craft beer and live music from 4pm to 7pm. Enjoy a cold brew, a slightly rowdy crowd and a beautiful mountain view as Mangy Moose caters to its après-ski crowd with a special menu and four floors of foods, drinks and merchandise.

The small ski town of Breckenridge has several great après-ski options. There are popular lodges at the base of each peak on Breckenridge, yet many riders prefer to go into town after a day on the mountain. Stop by Mi Casa for a happy hour margarita, tacos and wings baskets to satisfy your post-ski cravings.

In the middle of Park City’s historic Main Street, No Name Saloon, a rustic red-brick bar, offers juicy bison burgers, cold beers and an impressive whiskey menu. The games and revelry continue off the mountain as locals and tourists vie for a spot on the shuffleboard table or a seat in front of the fire. When the place fills up, pop upstairs to the outdoor patio for a view over Park City.

Don’t American après-ski bars have the best names? Styled like an Austrian chalet, the Snorting Elk Cellar opened its doors in December 1965 and has been bustling with skiers ever since. There are 18 locally brewed beers on tap, including the special Elk Frost from the Elysian Brewing Company, plus it hosts annual ’70s costume and retro ski-wear parties. Don’t miss out!