Industry News
Grabbing a cold one after hitting the slopes has been part of the ski culture for decades. Many skiers and snowboarders look forward to it, and there are ski resorts worldwide famous for their après ski. Sitting at a bar and relaxing after a long day on the mountain is natural for skiers and snowboarders. However, sitting at a bar and grabbing a drink at a ski shop is unique.
Meier Skis, which has been making skis from Colorado’s aspen and beetle-kill pine trees since 2009, moved into its new location at 1775 South Broadway in 2019. Customers at the ski shop can now check out ski gear and watch Meier workers making skis behind giant glass windows while grabbing a beer at Meier’s Craft Skiery. It is a place where guests can touch and check out Meier Skis as they are being made right before them. The rustic bar is made of ski cores, and its vision is to make guests feel like they’re on the mountain even though they’re in the city of Denver.
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Meier Skis, who sponsor SnowBrains CEO and Founder Miles Clark, uses 100% natural wood products, including American maple, poplar, and beetle-kill pine, right from Colorado. It has produced these skis since 2009, focusing on sustainable, locally sourced wood and carefully handcrafting each pair. Meier Skis offers two tour options to learn how it turns trees into skis. Barstool tours of the World’s First Craft Skiery are offered anytime the facility is open. Guests receive a complimentary local beverage from a bartender who can explain the ski-building process.
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Happy Hour tours are at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday from Labor Day through April. Reservations are required for the ski factory tour. The tours are available from Labor Day through mid-April and have a maximum group size of 10 people, intended for families or friends. (For businesses or larger groups, private events are available.) Tickets cost $20 for the hour-long tour, which includes a Meier Skis pint glass for guests to keep.
Happy hour tours start in the front and showcase various finished skis and boards. Around 6, the tour heads onto the factory floor for an in-depth look at each workstation and how Meier Skis turns trees into eco-friendly high-performance skis and snowboards. The minimum group size for the tour is two.
