There's a moment at the end of every great ski day when your legs are pleasantly exhausted, your cheeks are wind-kissed, and the only thing left to do is kick back with a drink and relive every powder turn. That's après—and it's not just about the cocktail or apéritif in your hand. It's about the laughter that spills across weathered wood tables, the boots that stay buckled because nobody wants the party to end, and the stories that somehow get better with every retelling.
Our Mountain Travel Experts have spent decades chasing fresh lines and deep snow across the world's best resorts. And as all of those in the know recognize, the perfect ski day doesn't end when the lifts close. It ends when you've found all your friends at the bar, ordered your favorite snack and drink, and settled into that unmistakable mountain magic.
Further reading: Experts’ Guide to Aspen Snowmass’ Best Restaurants, Après and Nightlife
This season, we’re highlighting the hotels where the après scene is as impressive as the skiing. These properties don’t just offer great rooms and prime locations—they put you right in the heart of the action. Stay here and you can swap your boots for a barstool in minutes, make new friends, and keep the fun going long after the last chair.
From refined lounges where craft cocktails flow to rowdy slopeside spots where ski boots dance on tabletops, these are the après bars our Experts think you should add to your list of places to go this winter.
Jackson Hole goes hard—on the mountain and off it. The terrain pushes limits, the snow delivers, and when it’s time to unwind, Spur Bar at Teton Mountain Lodge keeps that high-octane energy alive long after the lifts stop spinning.
Daily from 3 to 5:30 p.m., Spur transforms into a polished and lively après-ski scene in the heart of Teton Village. This isn't your typical ski bar slinging PBR tall cans and shots of whiskey—Spur is consistently rated the top restaurant in the area, serving delicious mountain fare alongside espresso martinis that have earned cult status and local beers that taste even better after a powder day. The crowd is as varied as the terrain—visiting pros swap stories with locals, families unwind after introducing their kids to the double blacks, and solo travelers quickly become part of the conversation. And when Spur winds down? The Mangy Moose is a short bus ride away. Because in Jackson Hole, one bar is rarely enough.
Teton Mountain Lodge perfectly captures Jackson Hole’s balance of rugged adventure and easy comfort. The rooms are spacious and homey, many with full kitchens, fireplaces, and walk-in closets that make it easy to settle in for the week. The staff are known for being warm and accommodating, and the entire property feels classy without losing that laid-back, mountain-town spirit.
Location-wise, it doesn’t get better. You’re steps from the lifts and half an hour from Grand Teton National Park, with heli-skiing, snowcat tours, and all-day adventure right out your door. When you want a change of scenery, downtown Jackson is just 20 minutes away on the free START Bus. When it’s time to slow down, the SpaTerre rooftop hot tub steals the show—steam rising into the alpine air, views stretching across the Tetons, and that satisfying sense of having earned it. It’s relaxed luxury at its finest and the perfect home base for both ski days and après nights at Spur.
Vail has always been synonymous with sophistication, and The Gambit Bar at The Sebastian proves that refined doesn't mean stuffy. This is where mixology becomes an art form—where each cocktail is crafted with intention, and small plates by Chef Kevin Erving turn happy hour into a culinary experience. Local artists provide the soundtrack, filling the space with live music that feels intimate rather than overwhelming.
The vibe strikes that perfect balance—upscale enough that you feel like you're somewhere special, comfortable enough that "one drink" always turns into three. Regulars know the bartenders by name. First-timers quickly understand why this spot has become a Vail staple. It's luxury with mountain soul, the kind of place where you can show up in your base layers or dress up for the evening, and either way, you'll fit right in.
The Sebastian is a masterclass in modern alpine luxury. Its location in the heart of Vail Village means you’re steps from world-class dining and shopping, but its private Base Camp at Gondola One makes mornings just as efficient, with ski valets and an Adventure Concierge who handles the logistics so you can head straight to the runs.
Further reading: Where to Eat in Vail: A Guide to the Best Restaurants in Vail Village and Lionshead
Inside, the atmosphere feels personal. Families gather in the game room, couples unwind in the heated outdoor pools, and staff greet guests by name. Thoughtful touches like fresh cookies and hot chocolate in the lobby remind you that even in a five-star setting, comfort still comes first. The Sebastian captures what Vail does best—upscale experiences grounded in genuine mountain hospitality. It’s the small details that capture the property's commitment to making everyone feel welcome.
If your ideal après leans more “ski chic” than slopeside rowdiness, The Vintage Room is the place to be. This heated 1,600-square-foot lounge sits slopeside on Deer Hollow with vaulted ceilings, plush furnishings, and a refined energy that feels more private club than traditional ski bar. Behind the 30-foot wooden bar, St. Regis mixologists craft signature cocktails — including the resort’s famed 7452 Bloody Mary with wasabi espuma — while chefs shuck oysters and prepare seafood flown in daily. Expect caviar, sushi, ceviche, stone crab claws, and champagne sabering that turns the whole space into a slopeside extravagant show.
Open daily during the season from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for lunch and après, The Vintage Room has become one of Deer Valley’s most luxurious gathering spots. A raised VIP area overlooks the scene, the raw bar is always buzzing, and the suggested attire — “ski chic” — only adds to the fun. Stay at the St. Regis and you’re just steps away from one of the most luxurious après experiences in the Wasatch.
The St. Regis Deer Valley nails that balance between mountain comfort and total luxury. The rooms feel like the kind of place you actually want to curl up in after skiing all day — soft blankets, fireplaces, and huge windows looking straight out at the Wasatch Mountains. You can ski right out the door, and the private ski valet makes mornings feel flawless and easy.
After the lifts close, it’s all about slowing down. Brasserie 7452 serves French comfort food that warms you from the inside out, while RIME offers thoughtfully prepared American fare with a wine list you could happily explore all evening. The spa is incredible, and the perfect reward for legs that have been carving all day. The trails start right out the back door, and those Park City evenings glowing with alpenglow make you wish the day would never end. It’s laid-back, beautiful, and exactly what a mountain vacation should feel like.
Whistler Blackcomb doesn’t do anything halfway. Two massive mountains, endless terrain, and an après culture that runs the full spectrum from luxury lounges to late-night pubs. At the heart of it all sits The Mallard Lounge at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, one of British Columbia’s most celebrated slope-side hotels, perfectly located at the base of Blackcomb. Live music fills the space most evenings, while outdoor seating offers front-row views of the mountains and cocktails crafted to match the setting.
What our Experts love most about The Mallard is how it captures everything that makes Whistler special. It’s elegant without feeling exclusive and lively without being overwhelming. The crowd is a mix of skiers fresh off the slopes, locals who know all the secret stashes, and families celebrating another perfect day in the mountains. It’s the kind of place where stories start flowing long before the drinks stop—and where you never really want the night to end.
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler gets it. This is ski-in ski-out living at its finest—you're literally at the base of Blackcomb, which means you can cruise right to the door after last run and be posted up by the fire minutes later. The rooms? Laid-back, polished, with killer views, whether you're looking at the peaks, the village, or the forest. And the staff genuinely make everything easy from the second you walk in.
Here's where it gets even better: après isn't just about the bar here. Vida Spa is legitimately one of the best places in Whistler to recover when your legs are toast—the kind of treatments that have you feeling human again. Want something more chill? Try a Crystal Sound Bath or hit up a yoga class. Throw in solid dining options and that classic Fairmont hospitality, and yeah, there's a reason this place is a Whistler legend.
Let's be clear: La Folie Douce Chamonix is not for everyone. But if you're after the wildest après party in Europe, Club 1969 is where you'll find it. This is the terrace that turned après-ski into a full-blown spectacle—champagne sprays, live DJs, aerial performers spinning overhead, and ski-boot dancing that kicks off mid-afternoon and doesn't quit until well after sunset. Set against the jaw-dropping backdrop of Mont Blanc, this is where music is king, the vibe is absolutely raging, and the only goal is to give you a night you won't forget.
The artists here don’t mess around. They're ready to do whatever it takes to unleash the crowd and keep you dancing until close. Live music, DJ sets, and an atmosphere that borders on chaos in the best way—this isn't the place to quietly sip wine by the fire. This is where you dance on tables, meet friends from every corner of the world, and rack up stories so wild you'll need photo evidence to back them up.
The energy doesn't stop when the music does. Back at the hotel, you'll find stylish rooms, multiple bars for round two (or three), a spa built for serious recovery, and a pool with panoramic views that somehow make even a hangover feel glamorous. Our Experts recommend La Folie Douce for travelers who ski hard and celebrate harder—the ones who come to Chamonix ready to go all in.
Après Pendry is Park City's answer to European mountain culture—a centrally located lobby lounge and bar where the feel is sleek, social, and unapologetically modern. Set right in the heart of Canyons Village, it's where mountainside socializing gets a serious upgrade. The space flows naturally from lunch through late-night drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating, roaring fireplaces that anchor the room, and rooftop DJ sets that add to the ambiance. Whether you're posted up at the bustling bar with a meticulously crafted old-fashioned or settled into a cozy corner with a local IPA, it's energetic but upscale—cosmopolitan without losing that mountain feel.
Our Experts love Après Pendry for groups, because there's something for everyone. Handcrafted coffee and cocktails, an array of beer and wine, shareable comfort food that hits the spot—it becomes whatever you need it to be. Mid-afternoon pick-me-up? Check. Proper après destination? Absolutely. Late-night spot where the day's adventures get properly celebrated over evening libations? That too. It's the kind of place where everyone walks away excited about what they ordered, and the European-inspired approach to slopeside living actually delivers.
Located right at the foot of Canyons Village with true ski-in ski-out access to some of Utah's best terrain, Pendry Park City brings that signature Pendry polish to the mountains. The 175 guestrooms, suites, and residences balance high-end style with Utah's stunning outdoor lifestyle. They're polished and thoughtfully designed, but still feel like your home away from home, with some exciting views. When the lifts stop running, head to Spa Pendry, where world-class wellness retreat where simplicity and serenity take center stage. The menu of treatments and skincare is top-tier, welcoming both hotel guests and locals to unwind in this peaceful mountainside hideaway. Add in signature dining and cocktail destinations, and you've got a Park City luxury resort that nails every detail without trying too hard.
Sun Valley has long been at the heart of ski culture. Dozens of Olympians call this valley home, each with their own run on Bald Mountain—a local tradition that stretches back more than 70 years. It’s also where Powder Magazine got its start, setting the tone for what skiing would look and feel like for generations.
The Lounge at the Limelight Hotel fits right into that legacy. Stylish interiors meet relaxed mountain warmth in a space that feels fresh but familiar. Local musicians bring the après energy most nights, wood-fired pizzas roll out of the kitchen nonstop, and the cocktails are crafted with care by friendly mixologists. It’s approachable, it’s lively, and it feels like the Sun Valley spirit—friendly, storied, and impossible to fake. Whether you’re here with a crew swapping ski stories by the fire or just stopping in for a quick drink that turns into three, The Lounge has a way of being exactly what you need it to be.
Limelight Ketchum sits at the epicenter of Idaho's Wood River Valley, with five mountain ranges within reach and a town that knows how to keep things lively long after sunset. The hotel nails the details that actually matter: a full breakfast buffet every morning (eggs, bacon, fresh pastries, the works—all included), outdoor pools and hot tubs open until 10 p.m. for post-ski recovery, and pet-friendly vibes so you don’t have to leave your four-legged best friend behind. Your dog gets their own bed and water bowl, which feels about right. The Audi Experience is a nice touch, too—guests can test drive a fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron or Q7, or just use them as a luxurious shuttle service.
Some bars become institutions because they're in the right place. Others earn that status through the energy they bring. T-Bar at the base of Peak 8 does both. This is Breckenridge's beating heart, the slopeside spot where locals and visitors converge every afternoon in a celebration of everything that makes Breck special—friendly locals, diverse terrain, and a genuine love for mountain life.
Rowdy? Absolutely. Social? Without question. T-Bar embraces its identity as the place where après gets real. Craft beers flow freely. Cocktails are mixed with enthusiasm. Shareable bites fuel conversations that get louder and more animated as the afternoon wears on. Après DJs spin every weekend, and the indoor/outdoor seating means you can follow the sun or stake out a spot by the fire, depending on your preference.
Further reading: A Guide to Tyrol’s Unbeatable Dining and Après Spots
What our Experts love most is the community feel. T-Bar doesn't try to be exclusive or intimidating. It's the opposite—a wide-open embrace of everyone who loves these mountains. First time at Breck? You'll feel welcome. Been coming for decades? You probably already have a favorite corner. That's the magic of T-Bar, and why it remains essential après year after year.
Here's what our Mountain Travel Experts know after decades in the mountains: après isn't just what happens after skiing—it's part of what makes ski culture so special. It's a connection over shared experience. It's relaxation earned through effort. It's a celebration of the mountains, the snow, the people, and the moments that make you feel most alive.
These bars represent the best of what après can be across different resorts and styles. Whether you're drawn to refined lounges or rowdy slopeside parties, European-inspired elegance or Western authenticity, there's a perfect spot waiting for you.
Ready to experience these après bars firsthand? Plan your ski trip through Ski.com and let our Mountain Travel Experts help you find not just the best slopes, but the best way to celebrate them.
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