Blog post updated on September 7, 2021
We often pose the question, if you don't après ski, were you ever really skiing at all?
What can I say?
We are very serious about our après ski here. It is the perfect ending to a perfect day. A place where people can come together no matter what their skill level, eat yummy comfort food, drink tasty ski beers and share their fun stories of the day. It is the height of human interaction and an integral part of what makes skiing and snowboarding so special.
In Search of The Best Après Ski in Vermont
The Green Mountain State is my go-to ski destination. There is no shortage of phenomenal après ski in Vermont. With each ski resort and the surrounding towns having so many ski bars, it can often be tough to choose the best apres ski in Vermont.
Coming up with a list of all the Vermont bars is a bit daunting. Perhaps that's a task for another time. For now, come along with us as we take you on a journey from south to north and bring you the best après ski in Vermont.
Southern Vermont Après Ski Bars
Cuzzins Bar and Grill - Mount Snow
When it comes to Mount Snow restaurants and bars, Cuzzins is the place to be.
Bruce Jacques on a Saturday, nuff said.
Cuzzins is a vortex that sucks you in. Trust me, you will never want to leave. It happens every time I'm there. The people watching is tremendous. To see see multiple generations from young to old dancing on the table is not uncommon.
Pro tip, get the eggplant fries and be sure to get two orders, you'll need them. Honorable Mention: Canned
Grizzly's - Stratton Mountain Resort
The bar at the base, baby!
More open space than in the past, the most ridiculous nachos in southern Vermont and a second story deck that overlooks the mountain...what more can you ask for? It will be jamming on a Saturday but fighting the crowd is well worth it.
Honorable Mention: The Firetower or Green Door Pub
Johnny Seesaw's - Bromley
One of Vermont's oldest ski lodges got a major overhaul in 2018 after sitting idle for decades. Now it is back in a big way with an incredible rustic ambiance that is highly reminiscent of the old days. Sit by the huge open fire and enjoy an array of cocktails while you chat with friends. A place with this much history deserves to be on a list of the best après ski in Vermont.
Honorable Mention: J.J. Hapgood
South Central Vermont Après Ski Bars
Tom's Loft Tavern - Okemo Mountain
This is arguably my favorite après ski bar in the entire country. The home of warm beer, lousy food and a grumpy owner is an old red barn in Okemo Mountain Resort's parking lot. It may look like it's going to fall down but that's part of the allure. On a Saturday when it's hopping, Tom's Loft Tavern is the place to be. The beers and food are top notch and Tom, well, he can be grumpy but that's all part of his charm.
Honorable mention: The Killarney
Wobbly Barn - Killington
When it comes to Killington Vermont après ski, the Wobbly Barn is iconic! Not only is it one of the best après ski bars in Vermont, it ranks up there with some of the best in the country. Happy hour definitely produces some great people watching and interesting conversations with wobbly locals. However, the people might not be the only thing wobbling. When the live music gets rocking, rumor has it so too does the barn itself.
Honorable Mention: Still on the Mountain & The Pickle Barrel
Black Line Tavern - Magic Mountain
The Black Line Tavern is après ski cranked up to ten. The regulars there are no joke. They are as hard core as they come in the Green Mountain State. The Black Line also has great beers, great food, live music and even a shotski. Just like the mountain is sits on,The Black Line Tavern is just straight Magic. It is the hidden gem of the après ski world.
Honorable Mention: The Red Slate
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North Central Vermont Après Ski Bars
The Den - Stowe
Old school might not even be the phrase for The Den. Ski boots are pretty much mandatory here. If you stay long enough, you might even see some boot dancing. Located right at the base of the 4 Runner Quad on Mt. Mansfield this tiny little spot is ideal for grabbing a few tasty local brews before heading down the access road to for more après ski in Stowe, Vermont.
Honorable Mention: The Matterhorn & Doc Ponds.
Castlerock Pub - Sugarbush
Within very close proximity to skiing (right down a flight of stairs), Castlerock Pub starts hopping just past noon. That is probably because locals know where to go for one of Vermont's best slope side craft beer selections and some seriously tasty eats. Hands down one of the best bars for après ski in Vermont, stopping in is a must when your skiing at Sugarbush.
Honorable Mention: Wunderbar
General Stark's Pub - Mad River Glen
It's no surprise that one of the east's gnarliest mountains has an après ski bar it's equal. This is truly the only show in town and to be honest, you won't need another choice. Like the mountain, it's not flashy--just damn good.
Honorable Mention: The Rek's
Black Bear Tavern - Smuggler's Notch
Located at the base of Madonna, Black Bear has official après sport parties from Friday to Sunday starting in mid-December and ending in mid-March. Not sure I have to go any further on this one.
Honorable Mention: The Morse Mountain Grille
Northern Vermont Après Ski Bars
The Bullwheel at Stateside - Jay Peak
The Bullwheel has a friggin' bus slammed into it.
No seriously.
It really does.
Jay Peaks's first shuttle is on full display and along with some ridiculous mountain views that only adds to the charm of this amazing Vermont après ski bar. Honorable Mention: The Drink
Bear Den - Burke
I love a great dive bar. That is exactly what The Bear Den is. Old School and welcoming to the core this bar is après ski in Vermont's at its finest. Saturdays feature live music and there is no doubt The Bear Den will be rocking.
In your down time, feel free to enjoy the real wood burning fire and peruse the array of ski memorabilia that adorns the walls and ceilings.
Honorable Mention: Tamarack Pub & Grille
Just a Taste of The Best Après Ski in Vermont
As I mentioned earlier, there are no shortage of great après ski bars in Vermont. From the southern part of the state all the way up to the border of Canada après ski in Vermont is right up there with the best in the country. You will have no problem finding someplace great to hang with your friends when your ski day ends.
Use this list to help you find the goods, but we'd like to know your favorite places for Vermont après ski too. Let us know where you hang in the comments section below.
Vermont Après Ski Deserves the Best Ski Hoodie
When it comes to hanging out after skiing in riding, there is nothing better than a comfortable ski sweatshirt. Our Work Sucks, I'm Going Skiing ski hoodie is warm, soft, comfortable and lets the world know that life is short and it's always better to be skiing.
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