Favorite Après Ski Places in Vermont
We all love a good ski, board, tour, hike adventure. We enjoy the thrill of the send or the effort it took to get those powder turns in the woods. Where do you go to celebrate and talk about all the best spots, runs, and tumbles of the day? Here are a few of my favorite places to enjoy a well-deserved beer (or cocktail):
If you ski at Smuggs, you’ll know the best place to go is Martell’s at the Red Fox. Located right off of 108, it is the first bar you reach on your way down the mountain. It has a local vibe with a killer draft list makes it a top place to go with friends. Pool table, live music on the weekends. Great place to hang with a crowd.
If you ski at Sugarbush, you’ll want to hit up Castlerock Pub. This pub is not hard to miss as it’s right in the base area of the lifts. With seating inside and out, it’s the perfect spot to grab a brew before heading out for the day or in between runs. I especially love sitting outside after a good hard glades run where I’m hot and just need to sit for a minute...or two.
If you ski at Stowe, you probably already know this top après spot: The Matterhorn. Known for its sushi bar and pizza, this place is where it’s AT. Usually packed with skiers and riders after a good long day and has the best après vibe to join in on. There is often live music, so be sure to get to the Horn early so you can make sure you’re there for the action.
Another favorite down Mountain Road in Stowe, is Backyard. Only having opened a couple years ago, this place has the best bacon double smash burgers and brews. Their tots are also amazing - who doesn’t love tots? Backyard is honestly my favorite spot to go to and you’ll probably see me there on the weekends. Ragae music on Friday nights.
One more from Stowe - There’s a bar called Après Only (how appropriate) located in the Field Guide Inn…you wouldn’t realize what a sweet spot this is from the outside, but once you walk in, you’ll know this place is awesome. Definitely on the quieter side, given that the bar is in the hotel lobby area, however, with their fireplaces and games to play, it’s a good spot to be.
If you’re a Killington skier - there are many options to get your après ski on. One of my favorites is Jax Food and Games. They pride themselves in their specialty grilled cheese sandwiches, and if you ask me, after a good long adventure, a grilled cheese and beer sound pretty damn good.
The Wobbly Barn Steakhouse has been one of (if not THE) best après ski bar in Killington since the 60s and is definitely a place you’ll want to check out. Food is insanely good and so are their drinks.
My other personal favorite and probably the most classic is in the parking lot. You literally don’t have to go anywhere. Just bring some chairs, a small cook stove, and some drinks and you’re all set. Some resorts don’t allow you to hang by your car (lame!), but some do and treasure it. I’m alllllllways down for a parking lot hot dog with my friends. Boe loves when I bring him along for these ski days. He’ll hang out with us and wander around to the other parking lot groups - great way to meet other ski lovers and make new friends.
These are just a few of my favorite places to go post skiing, but there are loads of others and would love to hear from you what your favorite places to go are. Drop a comment below!
