Is it really skiing if you don’t do apres too? Honestly, we don’t want to find out — especially since Colorado’s ski resorts and mountain towns have some of the best apres ski spots the world has to offer.
Whether you’re a fan of luxury cocktails in places like Aspen, comparing mustaches with the locals in Crested Butte, or just snagging yourself a craft beer and sitting on a scenic patio, we put together the ultimate guide to apres ski in Colorado.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Aspen
Ajax Tavern
Ajax Tavern is pretty much the textbook definition of apres ski. You can see the sundrenched, mountainside patio from the ski runs. It also happens to be right next to the Silver Queen Gondola, making it the perfect ski-in, ski-out location. Finally, the party rolls well into the night, and it’s the perfect spot to try a wide variety of beer, wine, and cocktails. Be sure to try the truffle fries – they come highly recommended.
Base Camp Bar and Grill
This apres ski spot in the resort town of Aspen Snowmass has everything. If you’re craving a craft beer, there are more than 30 on tap (don’t worry, there’s fine wine, too). The expansive patio has a 24-foot fire pit, and the second-story terrace boasts impressive views of Snowmass Mountain. Finally, the second story of this restaurant turns into a legit party at night with a hardwood dance floor, DJ booth, and extensive lighting setup.
Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro
This apres ski spot in Aspen brings the European Alps vibe to the Rocky Mountains, and it’s awesome (the picture of the patio on the website shows skiers in Speedos, if you need some context). The patio offers fantastic views of the Maroon Bells, and it’s also the perfect spot to try a wide variety of wines and craft beer (because Colorado).
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Breckenridge
The Blue Stag Saloon
There are few things better than warming up by a fireplace after a long day on the mountain. Luckily, the Blue Stag Saloon has two fireplaces set amidst a cozy atmosphere made up of recycled beetle-kill wood ceilings and old barn walls. Locals love this spot for the happy hour: You can snag a Coors or Coors Light for $3, queso for $7, and a pizza for $12.
TBar
You don’t have to go far to get to the TBar, an apres ski classic located right at the base of Peak 8. Their menu happens to have everything from rotating slushies to craft beers, tacos, chicken tenders, and more.
Quandary Tequila Bistro
Three words: Weekend happy hour. Quandary Tequila Bistro has a happy hour from 3-5 p.m. daily — perfect timing for after the lifts close and before you feel obligated to sit in standstill traffic on Interstate 70. This happy hour includes $6 wines, $8 margaritas, $1 off draft beer, and plenty of appetizers (you can’t go wrong with the queso fundido).
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Crested Butte
BONEZ
There’s nothing that warms you up after a long day of skiing better than fresh Mexican food — and BONEZ has some of the best in the state. This Crested Butte apres ski spot’s menu includes everything from sizzling fajitas to authentic tacos to plenty of tequila (the ultimate winter warmer).
The Eldo
After a day of exploring Crested Butte, you owe yourself a beer. The Eldo happens to be the only locally owned and operated craft brewery in downtown Crested Butte, and it’s an absolute classic. Grab a pint of one of the house beers or something from one of the guest taps and pair it with Himalayan food from the nearby kitchen. Be sure to snag a spot on the patio for people-watching on Crested Butte’s Main Street.
The Secret Stash
Whether you’re carb-loading for another day of skiing or are rewarding yourself for a hard day’s work, a mountain adventure calls for pizza — and the Secret Stash is easily one of the best apres spots in Crested Butte. In addition to a wide variety of unique, specialty pizzas (including vegan options), you can try an extensive cocktail list and even alcoholic slushies. You’re on vacation, treat yo’self.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Frisco
Fifth Avenue Grill
If you’re skiing in Colorado, chances are you’ll pass through Frisco on your way back to I-70 — and it’s a town that’s definitely worth a stop on its own. One apres spot in Frisco we recommend? The Fifth Avenue Grill, a cozy establishment that serves up everything from grilled Caesar salads to beef tips to red mountain curry. Stopping won’t make I-70 traffic any easier, but at least you won’t be hungry.
Outer Range Brewing Company
Outer Range Brewing Company is great during every season, but it’s especially awesome after a day of skiing. This classic Summit County brewery has a huge patio and even indoor space that’s perfect for apres. Be sure to try one of their hazy IPAs or an imperial stout if you’re looking for something heavy (and aren’t driving — because they’re strong). This brewery also offers plenty of to-go beers so you can bring memories of your ski vacation back home.
The Uptown on Main
This family-owned business in downtown Frisco has been a favorite for 22 years, and for good reason. Stop by for happy hour from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on weekdays for $3 off well martinis, $6 wells, and discounts on wine and beer. The food menu has plenty of fantastic apps (check out the truffle fries) as well as great sandwiches and burgers.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Idaho Springs
Tommyknocker Brewery
Idaho Springs might not be a ski town, but it’s a perfect halfway spot to wait out some traffic between Summit County and Denver. While you’re here, be sure to check out Tommyknocker, a legendary local brewpub with excellent craft beers and a very yummy food menu (there’s even a special section with snacks for dogs).
Westbound and Down
Westbound and Down might now have locations in Denver and Lafayette, but the OG Idaho Springs location is still very much worth the trip. It was recently voted the best mid-sized brewpub in the country, and its selection of award-winning craft beer makes for the perfect apres ski treats.
The Vintage Moose
The Vintage Moose isn’t fancy, but honestly, apres ski isn’t about fancy: It’s about celebrating your mountain adventure with satisfying drinks and food — and this spot has both in spades. Snag a barbecue sandwich and cold beer, and cozy up at the bar to celebrate another successful trip to the mountains.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Leadville
Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon
Leadville is arguably one of Colorado’s coolest Old West towns, and this bar off the main drag definitely lives up to its reputation. After a day at Ski Cooper, be sure to check it out. The spot has been around since the 1800s, was a favorite for Doc Holliday himself, and has maintained a lot of its original features. That alone makes it one of the coolest apres ski bars in Colorado, but it also has a great food and drink menu to round out the entire experience.
The Manhattan Bar
This Leadville dive bar is a perfect apres ski spot between the cheap drinks, cozy bar spots, TVs, and community events like karaoke and Guitar Hero night. It will make you want to snag an Airbnb in town to fully enjoy the fun instead of driving back to Denver.
Two Mile Brewing Company
Denver might think it’s cool because it’s a mile high, but Leadville — which is located at more than 10,000 feet above sea level — has it beat two times over. This brewery, just down the street from downtown Leadville, honors the city’s high elevation and serves up a wide variety of craft beers and chicken tenders that are the perfect cap to a day in the mountains.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Nederland
Covered Wagon Restaurant and Saloon
This quirky, historic establishment encapsulates everything that’s unique about Nederland, making it an ideal apres ski spot for Eldora. This saloon’s antique collection represents its century of history, and the food and drink menu ensures that people keep coming back. If the weather’s good, be sure to check out the back patio, or hang inside to play on the pool table or watch sports on the large, flat-screen TVs. There’s even music multiple nights a week.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Steamboat Springs
The Paramount
This classic apres ski bar in Steamboat has everything you could possibly want, from pitchers of beer to hot chocolate with sprinkles to cozy soups and sandwiches. A bonus? Everything is made from scratch, meaning you’ll have a healthy meal to prepare you for another great day on the slopes.
Slopeside Grill
Located right at the base of Steamboat, Slopeside Grill might be the answer if you asked ChatGPT to describe an apres ski bar. Whether you want to annihilate a pound of wings for $13 on Monday nights, enjoy the happy hour deals (it’s daily from 3-6 p.m.), listen to live music, or just people-watch, this is the perfect spot to kick back after a day on the mountain.
T Bar
The T Bar’s website describes it as a “five-star dive bar,” and honestly, that might be exactly what you need after a full day of mountain sending. The menu has a classy selection of small bites, flatbreads, and more, and you can also snag reasonably priced cans of beer. Once you’ve had enough liquid courage, be sure to take part in one of their apres ski dance parties.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Telluride
Bon Vivant
Enjoy Telluride’s incredible views at this apres ski bar located right at the top of the Polar Queen Express. The menu is a fix of French country cuisine and “Telluride Top Chef” Jared Campbell’s own contemporary creatures. Be sure to order one of the French wines and enjoy an Alps experience right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
Oak
Oak considers itself Telluride’s hotspot for three of the best things in life: beer, bourbon, and barbecue. Grab a Montucky on tap, order the smoked wings, and definitely end the day with peach cobbler at one of the best apres ski spots in Telluride and, dare we say, Colorado.
Tomboy Tavern
This apres ski bar is located right at the base of Telluride’s Village Express. Here, you can choose between more than 15 craft beers, 50 wines from around the world, a wide variety of exceptionally prepared cocktails, and a gourmet menu curated by Chef Adam Pace.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Vail
Garfinkel’s
A local family has owned this Vail mainstay since 1992, and there’s a reason why people have been coming back for decades. Try to snag a spot on the sunny deck for views of the Gondola and Vail Mountain, and be sure to refuel from the day of skiing with classic bar food (the chicken wings are a favorite).
The Red Lion
The Red Lion is Vail’s quintessential ski bar, and it’s been one of the most popular spots for apres for years. Expect to catch live entertainment from 4-6 p.m. and again from 9-11 p.m. While you’re enjoying the music, be sure to order their world-famous nachos and a Colorado beer (Coors Banquet is acceptable).
The Remedy Bar
Vail is known for being glamorous (the Kardashians have gone on vacation here, after all), so while you’re in town, you should soak up that luxurious vibe. Enter the Remedy, a cocktail bar inside the Vail Four Seasons that has decadent drinks and a menu that combines local and international fare.
The Best Places for Apres Ski in Winter Park
Deno’s Mountain Bistro
Sky High News voted this Winter Park classic as the best restaurant in Grand County and Winter Park in 2024 — and for good reason. Visitors can sample everything from steamed mussels to trout almandine, as well as sample a variety of cocktails, craft beers, and wines. A bonus? There’s a happy hour every day from 3-5:30 p.m. — the perfect window for apres skiing.
Lime
Don’t ask us why, but finishing up skiing with a margarita and chips and queso just makes sense. And the good news is that Lime has these staples and more on a menu filled with everything from tacos to seafood. Another bonus? If you happen to be skiing on a weekday, there’s a pretty epic happy hour with $3 snacks and drinks.
Sunspot Mountaintop Apres
Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, you can hop on the gondola up to Sunspot for free and check out one of the most scenic apres ski spots in Colorado. As the sun sets, the Lodge at Sunspot has live music, delicious food and drink specials, and, perhaps most importantly, colorful views of the surrounding peaks.
