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Double Diamonds Bar crowned Best Aprés-Ski Bar
Best Aprés-Ski Bar (2019)
When the sun goes down and the lifts shut down for the day, bars and restaurants in ski towns across North America fill up with skiers and snowboarders looking for a good time with good friends. These 10 après-ski bars offer top notch food, drink and atmosphere–a perfect setting to close out a perfect day on the snow.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Après-Ski Bar are as follows:
No. 10: Tamarack Lodge - Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Heavenly skiers and snowboarders will find the Tamarack Lodge mid-mountain at the top of the Gondola – a perfect spot for a cold drink between runs or before heading down at the end of the day. Guests enjoy live music throughout the season.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Jerome
No. 9: J-Bar - Aspen, Colo.
Hunter S. Thompson once used the J-Bar as his de facto office when he was running for sheriff of Aspen. Today, this nineteenth century bar continues to serve as a social hub where locals and visitors alike gather for craft beers, vintage-inspired cocktails and some of the best burgers in Aspen.
Photo courtesy of Ski Santa Fe
No. 8: Totemoff's Bar - Santa Fe
Located mid-mountain in Santa Fe, Totemoff’s serves up a menu of signature warm cocktails, hot chocolate and local craft beers, all to the sounds of live music throughout the season. On busy days, guests can order drinks from the Tram Car Bar outside to keep lines short.
No. 7: HandleBar - Whistler, B.C.
HandleBar has set out to “make après great again” with a selection of local craft beer and a food menu inspired by German street foods. Three daily happy hours offer discounts to winter sports enthusiasts after a day on the slopes or between runs.
Photo courtesy of Lutsen Mountains
No. 6: Papa Charlie's Tavern & Stage - Lutsen, Minn.
Papa Charlie’s serves lunch and dinner, and offers some of the best live entertainment during ski season in Lutsen. Guests can drink and dine inside at the bar or outdoors on the scenic deck.
Photo courtesy of Arapaho Basin
No. 5: 6th Alley Bar & Grill - Arapahoe Basin, Colo.
6th Alley Bar & Grill is a favorite après spot in A-Basin where skiers and snowboarders gather after a day on the slopes to sit back and relax. The bar includes indoor and outdoor seating with full table service, and guests can order from a menu of 20 rotating taps (many of them Colorado microbrews) or sample a famous bacon bloody Mary.
No. 4: Wobbly Barn - Killington, Vt.
Built from repurposed New England barns, the Wobbly Barn in Killington has been serving hungry and thirsty skiers since it first opened in 1963. Part steakhouse and part nightclub, the Wobbly is fun all around, and they even offer a free shuttle up and down Killington Road on ski season weekends.
Photo courtesy of Keri Knapp / The Village Idiot Bar & Grill
No. 3: The Village Idiot Bar & Grill - Revelstoke, B.C.
Unapologetically Canadian, The Village Idiot Bar & Grill in Revelstoke invites toque-wearing skiers and snowboarders to pull up a chair for pizza, beer, pub fare and live music. The patio is perfect for people watching over a drink in the heart of town.
Photo courtesy of Crystal Mountain Hotels
No. 2: Snorting Elk Cellar - Crystal Mountain, Wash.
Easily one of the best après-ski spots in the Pacific Northwest, The Snorting Elk Cellar is situated in the cellar of a Bavarian-style lodge near Crystal Mountain. A hot drink menu is complemented by 18 locally-crafted draft beers, all poured next to a warming, roaring fire.
Photo courtesy of Double Diamonds Bar
No. 1: Double Diamonds Bar - Steamboat Springs, Colo.
A true late night party spot in Steamboat Springs, Double Diamonds Bar is known for mixing some of the least expensive après-ski drinks in town. Brats and sandwiches satisfy hunger, and there’s a dance floor, perfect for late night antics just across the street from the mountain base shuttle stop.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning bars!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
KC Deane
Professional skier, mountain biker and brand... Read More
Professional skier, mountain biker and brand ambassador, KC Deane has graced the pages of almost every ski magazine and has been featured in the top ski films for a decade. He has quickly made a name for himself as one of the top riders in mountain biking. After skiing professionally for nine years, Deane attended Red Bull Rampage in 2012 as a spectator. He was immediately inspired and realized that he had an opportunity to bring his experience from big mountain skiing to big mountain biking. He is now one of the only dual sport professional athletes in action sports.
KC Deane
Professional skier, mountain biker and brand ambassador, KC Deane has graced the pages of almost every ski magazine and has been featured in the top ski films for a decade. He has quickly made a name for himself as one of the top riders in mountain biking. After skiing professionally for nine years, Deane attended Red Bull Rampage in 2012 as a spectator. He was immediately inspired and realized that he had an opportunity to bring his experience from big mountain skiing to big mountain biking. He is now one of the only dual sport professional athletes in action sports.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family – pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family – pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Lyndell Keating
Lyndell Keating is one of the directors of Read More
Lyndell Keating is one of the directors of Powderhounds, a ski and snowboard travel website that reviews snow destinations around the world to facilitate readers in their pursuit of the perfect powder stash. Lyndell has skied at 200-plus ski resorts and a multitude of cat skiing, heli skiing and backcountry bucket list areas.
Lyndell Keating
Lyndell Keating is one of the directors of Powderhounds, a ski and snowboard travel website that reviews snow destinations around the world to facilitate readers in their pursuit of the perfect powder stash. Lyndell has skied at 200-plus ski resorts and a multitude of cat skiing, heli skiing and backcountry bucket list areas.