* Lead Photo Credit: Northstar Ski Resort Instagram
Northstar ski resort is a highly popular destination on the northwest side of the beautiful Lake Tahoe. When it comes to skiing in California, the Lake Tahoe region ranks right near the top. Whether it's Palisades Tahoe (the artist formerly known as Squaw Valley), Heavenly, Kirkwood or Northstar, each resort has excellent skiing to complement its own unique culture.
Northstar, part of the Vail Resorts family, is known for its family friendliness. Sure it has some seriously good skiing if you know where to look. However, the mountain itself is easily navigable and great for parents skiing with their kids.
Given Northstar's tendency toward families who ski, it should come as no surprise that après ski at Northstar has options for families and singles alike. Après-ski at Northstar is also known for its many traditions. From their daily champagne toast on the mountain to their rink-side cabanas and S'mores at four, Northstar resort après-ski has a little something for everyone.
Apres Ski at Northstar Ski Resort Starts With a Tōst
Photo Credit: Northstar Ski Resort Instagram
Après Ski at Northstar Resort kicks off each day with their highly unique daily champagne toast. Tōst, a bar located mid-mountain is where après-ski meets the slopes.
Located just off the Eagle Ridge trail, guests are invited to ski up daily and raise a glass of complimentary bubbly. Enjoy the view from the bar with friends and strangers alike as you chin chin your champagne flutes and celebrate your day. Hang out in bean bag chairs around fire pits and if you are up for it order another and a charcuterie board and stay awhile.
The champagne toast is at 2 pm sharp, don't be late. In fact, be early. Aim to get there by around 1:30 to guarantee that you get your glass of complimentary champagne. Otherwise, you may need to toast somewhere else.
The Beach at Bourbon Pub Northstar
Photo Credit: Bourbon Pub Northstar Instagram
Once your toast at Tōst is done, continue your apres ski at Northstar by heading straight down the mountain to the Village Run trail. At the end, you are certain to find your Northstar après-ski pot of gold.
Not exactly, but you will find the highly acclaimed Bourbon Pub Northstar and its welcoming fire pit area known as "The Beach."
Chef Michael Mina's original Bourbon Burger Bar made quite a name for itself in the San Francisco Bay area. Now you can experience his elevated pub fare concept at après ski in Northstar.
As you come off the Village Run trail, The Beach and Bourbon Pub Northstar are mere steps away. On a warm day, lounge outside by the fire pits sipping one of their delicious house-made cocktails. Be sure to add in a S'mores bowl with all the fixings. Together they are the perfect complement to kicking your ski boots up and warming by the fire.
Don't let this be the end of your Northstar après-ski experience there. Be sure to head inside and experience the Bourbon Pub in all its glory. They have quite an array of craft beer, barrel-aged drinks and seasonal cocktails to choose from. Their elevated pub fare is equally as creative as their drinks. With fresh takes on comfort food classics, you simply cannot be disappointed.
Photo Credit: Bourbon Pub Northstar Instagram
A plate of nachos alone is worth the visit. When the waitress shows up with them on a plate and a Mezzaluna knife you'll know what I mean.
Let the carnage begin!
Walk Down Apres Alley and Grab Your S'mores at Four
Photo Credit: Northstar Ski Resort Instagram
When your stay at Bourbon Pub Northstar comes to an end, make your way towards the center of the village at Northstar to Après Alley. Along the way and providing the timing is right, you'll be able to partake in another Northstar apres-ski tradition: S'mores at four.
At 4 Pm every day, servers walk around Northstar Village passing out pre-made S'mores to their guests. Grab yourself a complementary S'mores or two served up on a silver platter then cozy up in a Cabana right next to the ice skating rink.
Just like at Tōst, be sure to get there promptly. The S'mores are complementary and go fast. However, if you do miss out, you won't have to feel left out. You can order your own S'mores kit and make your own using the fire pits near the cabanas.
Northstar Restaurant, Frites is Perfect to Grab and Go
Photo Credit: Northstar Ski Resort Instagram
Once settled in at your cabana, you can take advantage of your prime position by watching your kids take to the ice rink and skate around. You, on the other hand, will need a drink and some food. On the lower level of the village, you definitely want to hit up Frites.
Frites is yet another great Northstar Resort restaurant. It's designed for grab and go so it is ideal for hanging at your cabana. The name Frites says it all. Serving up gourmet French Fries, Chicken Fingers and craft beer, you'll want to try it all.
The poutine is certainly a house favorite and worth ordering. Or, if you are feeling indulgent, grab one of their Combo platters. Complete with Chicken Fingers, their crispy House Fries and a choice of their tasty dipping sauces, it's an excellent shareable meal for the group.
Two More Northstar Restaurants That Add to the Experience
The Rink Bar and/or Rubicon Pizza Company are also great options on the lower level of Northstar Village.
If it's craft cocktails that you seek, then The Rink Bar is an excellent option. Their menu is filled with creative mixed drinks as well as an excellent craft beer selection. The best part is that they offer rinkside service. Post up outside, enjoy the people watching and have them bring the cocktails to you. It just doesn't get better.
Equally as intriguing is Rubicon Pizza Company. There, you'll find a menu that is stocked with creative pizza options.
The Big Mountain is a beast!
Loaded with a variety of meat, this may not be the best choice for vegetarians. It is dame good though.
Rubicon's craft beer menu is equally good. Like The Rink Bar, they have local, regional and national beers to wet your whistle. However, what Rubicon is really known for are their creative cocktails. The Tahoe Toddy is a fun riff on a traditional Hot Toddy and the warming elixir you'll need after a day on the slopes.
Complete Your Northstar Apres Ski at The Cabana Bar and The Overlook
Photo Credit: Northstar Ski Resort Instagram
No Northstar après-ski experience is complete without a Bloody Mary from the picturesque Cabana Bar and a trip up to the Overlook.
Sure it will require you to climb a few steps, but it's worth it.
Before you head upstairs to the Overlook level of the village you must order a Bloody Mary from the Cabana Bar. Garnished with shrimp, a string bean and one of those mini-corn things that no one really knows what the hell they are, this Bloody is as good as any that I've had in the high country.
If it's too late in the day for a Bloody Mary (never), maybe give the ever-popular Dirty Snowman a try. Hot chocolate with Vanilla Vodka, Irish Cream and Hazelnut Liqueur, it's to die for. Drink in hand, hang around the fire pits and soak in the sun or take a walk upstairs to the Overlook level of the Northstar Village.
There, the added elevation offers a birds-eye view of the ice rink and some stellar views of the surrounding area. There is even the Overlook Bar ready and waiting for you to order more cocktails if you want to.
Northstar Après Ski Traditions
No matter how you spend your après ski at Northstar ski resort, it offers many family-friendly options and is full of traditions.
- Toast the day with complimentary champagne at Tōst
- Pay a visit to The Beach and order up Nachos and a cocktail at the highly acclaimed Bourbon Bar.
- Enjoy Northstar Ski Resort's S'mores at Four as you take a walk down Après Alley
- Cozy up with friends in a Northstar Village Cabana while your kids ice skate and you indulge in Northstar Restaurants like Frites, The Rink Bar or Rubicon Pizza Company.
- Order a Bloody Mary or A Dirty Snowman at The Cabana Bar and take a walk up to Overlook to take in the views.
No matter how to spend your après ski at Northstar, it's imperative that you have the best après ski clothes for the occasion. There is no better option when it comes to hanging in the warm Lake Tahoe sun under a cabana than one of our ski sweatshirts or ski hoodies.
Our Happily Ever Après ski sweatshirt has become a fan favorite this winter. Soft, comfortable and adorned with a saying that epitomizes après ski at Northstar or wherever you are hanging with friends post activity.
Do you enjoy finding out about the best places to hang out post-ski day around the country? If so, then our après-ski blog is for you. Sign up today and never miss another post. You won't be disappointed.
