6 Ways to Après

One of the best aspects of ski culture is the après – what you do after a day of skiing and riding. Ask anyone what their ideal après looks like, and you’ll get responses as diverse as the people you’re asking: It could be relaxing by a cozy fire with friends, partying with celebs, or lighted night tubing. To help you decide, here’s a breakdown of how and where we like to do it here at Skicoupons.

apres

Chillest
Steve, a Minnesota native likes the coooold, so he heads up north to après with our northern neighbors who know how to play after a snow day. Canadian après without beer is like skiing without goggles, eh? Steve likes to sit on a sunny deck with friends and family, listen to Rock, and sip a cold beer. And while there are so many pubs and bars to choose from, his favorite is in Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia. It’s even better if he gets a good spot to watch skiers and riders on their last laps.

Like a Boss
Work hard and play harder is Brad’s mantra, so his choice is Steamboat Resort, an area with an après as legendary as the skiing and riding. After a day of cat skiing  in the backcountry, Brad’s preferred après includes good food, beer, and a great cigar with live music and a lively crowd. One of his favorite places to hang out is at the Steamboat Slopeside Grill at the base of Mt. Werner. There’s nowhere else in “the Boat” where you can ski up to a 21,000-pound ice bar and order from a menu that includes $7 pizza and $3 drafts during their late-night happy hour.

Grizzillian
Allison, an Idaho-strong ski instructor who was racing by age 5,  has more medals than you can shake a ski pole at. Allison likes to relax by getting beers with friends at the Grizzly Ridge at Bridger Bowl.  If the weather is permitting in the spring, grilling in the parking lot. You go, girl!

Yin Yang
Chris and David are two California brothers with polar opposite tastes when it comes to après. Chris’s after hours consists of a poetic sipping of a fresh craft brew IPA by a roaring fire as the clouds roll in for a nightly top-dressing of powder on the slopes. Dave, on the other hand, is open to what and where as long as there’s fire, food, friends and firewater! For them, the Tahoe area will provide a gamut of diversions to satisfy any taste. From tailgating on a ski bus, to casinos, or an après party that involves drinks, DJs and dancers, the Tahoe area has something for everyone.

Mountain Mama
A mother of three who cut her cut her first skis in Vail, Michelle is a native who is determined to instill ski-love in her little ones. After a day of lessons and laps, she rounds up the posse, and swaps their boots and base layers out with fuzzy socks and sweaters. For her fam, the Red Lion in Vail town square offers a lively family-friendly scene with good food, a mixed crowd, entertainment and the mandatory glass of wine.

Cool Runnings
As for me?  I’m all about regulating my body temp after riding. Warming fireside while eating hot delicious food with my people, followed by more warmth in a hot tub makes the perfect après for me. Give me fireside lodge in a nice vacation rental in Breckenridge with all of the above, and I’m happier than a Haitian in a hot house. Whatever your style, we can all agree that what you do after a day of skiing and riding is just as important as the day itself. What about you, how do you après?

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