Don’t get me wrong, skiing hard, all day, every day, should be the main focus of every ski trip. However, there’s always that one person wondering: “what are we doing next?” No one wants to simply call it a night after skiing all day. Most people, including me, want to go out, and maybe have a few drinks with close friends and family after the lifts close. Aprés Ski, the French term for “after ski,” was coined to satisfy this craving to go out and recap stories from the day and celebrate what the group was able to accomplish. And let’s be honest, is there really a better venue for conversation and entertainment than an awesome bar? I don’t think so!
Each year, USA Today compiles a “10 Best” list for any topics relating to top attractions, things to see and do, restaurants, and top destinations. Each list’s rankings are based on the reader’s choice and customer reviews, creating a brutally honest list highlighting the public’s favorites from each year. For four years in a row, USA Today has made a list of the 10 Best Aprés Ski Bars in North America. Below is USA Today’s complete list for the highest-ranking bars in 2021:
Double Diamonds Bar
PC: Double Diamonds Website
Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Best known for: Lively late-night nightclub scene
The Village Idiot Bar & Grill
Location: Revelstoke, B.C.
Best known for: Awesome appetizers, pizzas, and local brews. Be prepared to hear a few Eh’s or Don’t ya know’s!!
Clocktower Cellar
Location: Mammoth Lakes, California
Best known for: Insane selection of on-tap drafts and Whiskey
North Pole Bar & Restaurant
Location: Mount Bohemia, Michigan
Best known for: Live music to go along with a draft beer and a french crépe
Iron Furnace Brewing
Location: Franconia, New Hampshire
Best known for: Top-tier selection of hoppy beers
TBar
Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Best known for: Amazing location to the Gondola and live DJ on the weekends
Mangy Moose
Location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Best known for: Nightly rowdy crowds and signature margaritas
High West Distillery
Location: Park City, Utah
Best known for: World’s only ski-in-ski-out distillery
Rocky Mountain Underground
Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Best known for: Unique “concept store” set-up, doubling as a ski retail shop and bar
6th Alley Bar & Grill
Location: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
Best known for: Rotating drafts on tap that showcase 20 local microbrews at a time
Of course, this is a highly contested, maybe even polarizing list. Everyone has their personal favorite and “go-to” bars that are considered the best, yet the person sitting next to you could think the complete opposite. One of my favorite parts about ski trips is seeing how passionate other people get when you ask the question: “What’s your favorite restaurant to grab a drink at?” People’s eyes light up, their voice becomes higher and louder, making it is clear that these bars have been the setting for so many amazing memories over the years. If you want to contribute your favorite ski bar to the Best Aprés Ski Bars of 2022 list, you can learn more about how to contribute to each contest by visiting USA Today’s website.
The Chamois… Gotta be in the Top 10… And The Clocktower is definitely worthy of inclusion.
Le Chamois at former Squaw Valley, now Palisades is LEGENDARY!
Hope to make the list next year. Check us out! Thelastchairbrewery.com
6th Alley is best known for their award-winning Bacon Bloody Mary.