Après: A 33-Resort Quest for the 9 Best Old Fashioned Cocktails in the West

The Old Fashioned may be the most quintessential après-ski cocktail of them all. It’s warm, satisfying, and perfectly suited for lingering conversations with friends gathered around a roaring fireplace. With each sip, the drink subtly evolves as the ice slowly melts—an ever-changing experience in a single glass. Holding one immediately sets you apart, in the best way, from the beer-and-wine crowd at an après party.

Sure, there’s a time and place for a cold beer—like spring partying in ski boots on The Beach at Arapahoe Basin—or a glass of Prosecco on a sunny California afternoon, stretched out in a chair at Mammoth’s Steeps Bar. But while you could argue that the Old Fashioned isn’t the ultimate après drink, at most après-ski gatherings, in my opinion, you’d be wrong.

The beauty of a traditional Old Fashioned lies in its simplicity—but crafting one correctly is anything but simple. At its core, the drink should include bourbon, bitters, a restrained amount of simple syrup, orange peel or zest, and a Luxardo cherry with just a dash of its syrup, all served over a single large ice cube in a proper cocktail glass. The best versions come from mixologists who respect the process and take the time to get every detail right. What detracts from the experience are true debaucheries: chipped bar ice, fluorescent maraschino cherries, plastic cups, bottled Old Fashioned mix, or a heavy hand with the sweetener.

Our 33-resort quest for the best après Old Fashioned began as a retirement celebration and quickly became an obsession. Using an Ikon Pass, we set out to ski every Ikon Pass resort in the West south of Revelstoke, British Columbia. We supplemented the route with a Powder Alliance Pass to add a few more stops along the way. Months of planning followed as we mapped out our ski road trip. Finally, itinerary in hand, we hit the road—chasing great snow, memorable ski days, and the perfect après Old Fashioned.

Early in our journey, we discovered that many bars offered a house or “special” Old Fashioned—often wildly different from the traditional version, yet surprisingly satisfying in their own way. So we made a decision: whenever possible, we would sample both a traditional Old Fashioned and a non-traditional variation at each resort.

Naturally, we couldn’t sample every bar at every resort, so we developed a strategy. We scoured the internet, posted on social media, and—most importantly—asked fellow skiers on chairlifts where to find the best Old Fashioned at each destination. Once the bar was chosen, the rest was simple: ski hard, then head straight to après.

Best Non-Traditional Old Fashioned Cocktails

Winter Orchard Old Fashioned – Honeycomb Grill, Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah. Made with High West Double Rye, brown sugar, spiced apple bitters, and stirred with a cinnamon stick, this Old Fashioned was finished under a veil of hickory smoke. The first sip delivered a smooth, gentle smokiness, followed by apple-forward notes. As the smoke faded, the flavors shifted toward a warm apple-pie profile. Complex, evolving, and absolutely fantastic.

House Special Smoked Old Fashioned – Truffle Pig, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This cocktail was a full sensory performance. The mixologist torched white oak until it smoldered, then inverted the whiskey glass over the smoke. While the glass filled with aroma, he mixed Stranahan’s whiskey with black walnut bitters, orange bitters, and a decidedly not-so-simple syrup made from Luxardo cherry juice, rosemary, praline, and Demerara sugar. Deeply complex and beautifully layered, this was a standout Old Fashioned in every sense.

Gingerbread Old Fashioned – The Crow’s Bench, Humbird Hotel, Schweitzer, Idaho. Crafted with Woodford Rye, gingerbread simple syrup, wormwood bitters, a large ice cube, and a Luxardo cherry, this drink exceeded expectations. We feared it might be overly sweet, but the mixologist nailed the balance—warm, spiced, and just sweet enough. A perfect cold-weather cocktail.

Best Traditional Old Fashioned Cocktails

All of our top drinks were crafted with bourbon, Angostura bitters, a restrained amount of simple syrup, orange peel or zest, a Luxardo cherry with a dash of syrup, and served over a single large ice cube in a proper cocktail glass.

Traditional Old Fashioned – Corsa, Tram Base Area, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The mixologist used a custom sweetener made from Luxardo cherry syrup and Demerara sugar, carefully measured for balance. Though the drink arrived without a cherry in the glass, the flavor was exceptional. After some debate about using the cherry juice in the sweetener, we let it make the list—technically imperfect, but undeniably delicious.

Happy Hour Old Fashioned – Truffle Pig, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Recommended by nearly everyone we spoke with in Steamboat, Truffle Pig delivered again. This version used orange and chocolate bitters instead of Angostura, adding depth and subtle richness. The mixologist proved to us that preparation matters as much as ingredients—and this outstanding cocktail proved the point. Bonus: it was one of the most affordable Old Fashioned’s of the entire trip.

Traditional Old Fashioned – The Crow’s Bench, Humbird Hotel, Schweitzer, Idaho. Warm, balanced, and expertly made, this classic Old Fashioned paired perfectly with the Crow’s Bench’s inviting après atmosphere: oversized chairs, a cozy fireplace, and a relaxed vibe. Don’t miss the soft pretzels with honey mustard and beer cheese.

Traditional Old Fashioned – Hayden’s Post – Snow King Mountain Resort, Jackson, Wyoming. After skiing all day essentially in downtown Jackson, we headed to Snow King’s base lodge for a textbook traditional Old Fashioned. The mixologist took his time—and it showed. Simple, precise, and perfectly executed.

Traditional Old Fashioned – Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Resort, Utah. Thanks to Utah liquor laws, this Old Fashioned was paired with a wild mushroom grilled cheese and tomato bisque. With a massive fireplace and sweeping mountain views, Needles Lodge proved to be an ideal mid-day or après refuge—and a solid place for a well-made Old Fashioned.

Classic Old Fashioned – Elements Restaurant, Angel Fire Resort, New Mexico. The star here was a rye whiskey from Taos-based, all-woman-owned Ponderosa Whiskey Co.—Sidewinder 4.2, tagged “Made by women, chased by men.” The drink was beautifully presented, complete with a large ice cube stamped with the Angel Fire logo and accented with cherry juice. Memorable, delicious, and visually striking.

These are the top nine Old Fashioned cocktails from our journey across 33 resorts. Have a favorite après Old Fashioned spot we missed? Leave a comment—we’re always looking for an excuse to plan the next trip.