From Slopes to Stadiums: The Après Ski Tailgate Revolution You’ll Want In On

Fall is here and football season is in full effect. Whether you are a college or professional football fan, this is an exciting and fun time of year. But, the excitement goes beyond football. For us mountain-minded folks, it’s really just preseason prep for après ski. Because let’s be honest tailgating is basically après without the lift ticket. Swap the base lodge for a parking lot.  Trade your ski jacket for your favorite jersey. Voila...you have the same recipe: great friends, good food, cold drinks, and a whole lot of questionable dance moves around a portable grill. Welcome to the art of the après ski tailgate, where the stoke of ski culture meets the spirit of fall football.

Après Vibes and Tailgate Tribes: Two Cultures, One Common Goal

Après ski and tailgating may seem worlds apart. one happens at 10,000 feet (okay, maybe not that high) the other in a stadium parking lot but at their core, they share the same DNA.

Après Ski Mantra: Work hard, ski harder, celebrate hardest.
Tailgate Philosophy: Cheer hard, eat harder, celebrate hardest.

Seems pretty similar to me. 

Both are about community, connection, and comfort food. Both involve adult beverages and suspiciously loud singalongs. And both thrive on a “who cares about the score, we’re here for the vibes” mentality. Okay, that's a stretch we definitely care about the score but the tailgate party is just as important.

In other words, après and tailgating are spirit animals. One just wears goggles, and the other wears face paint.

Setting the Scene: How to Bring Ski Energy to Your Tailgate

If you’re the kind of person who counts down to snow while smoking a pork butt, you’re in luck. It’s easier than you think to bring the mountain to the parking lot. Here’s how to channel those après ski vibes straight into your next football tailgate.

1. Basecamp Setup (a.k.a. Your Parking Lot Lodge)

Think of your tailgate like your favorite ski lodge patio. You’ll need:

• Warmth: Bring portable propane heaters or fire pits. Nothing says après like gathering around the flames and some of those late fall games can definitely get a bit chilly.

• Comfort: Folding chairs? Nope. Think camp chairs with cupholders, fleece blankets, and flannel-lined everything.

• Ambience: Set the stage for others to wander by and say "Hi". String lights, bring a portable speaker, and maybe even a mini banner that reads Après Starts Here. Okay, that last one is a stretch, but a banner of your team is a nice touch. 

2. Dress Code: Après Chic Meets Team Spirit

Sure, team jerseys are cool. But why stop there? Throw on your favorite ski beanie, a puffy vest, and après-themed socks that say Send It or Lift, Sip, Repeat. Bonus points if your cooler is a Yeti covered in ski resort stickers.

3. Playlists That Slap (and Ski)

The best après playlists blend Mountain Town Indie with Classic Tailgate Rock. Think The Revivalists, Mt. Joy, Tom Petty, and a few après anthems like “Sweet Caroline” (because you know it’s coming).

Camp Chef Creations: Après Ski Tailgate Inspired Recipes

Let’s face it,  the real MVP of any après tailgate is the food. And nothing captures that mountain-meets-gridiron flavor quite like cooking it up on your Camp Chef gear. Camp Here are a few après-inspired tailgate recipes that’ll make your setup the envy of the parking lot.

1. Whiskey Bacon Fondue

Purchase all ingredients for this recipe at Amazon Fresh

Cooked on: Camp Chef Artisan Pizza Oven or VersaTop Grill
Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Gruyère cheese

• 8 oz. sharp cheddar

• 1 cup dry white wine

• 2 tbsp Tin Cup whiskey (or your favorite après sip)

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• Crispy bacon bits, pretzel bites, and cubed sourdough for dipping

Instructions:

1. Rub the inside of your fondue pot or small cast iron skillet with the garlic halves, then discard them.

2. In the pot, heat wine over medium-low until just simmering.

3. Toss shredded cheeses with cornstarch, then gradually add to the pot, stirring until smooth and melted.

4. Stir in whiskey and cook until creamy and slightly thickened.

5. Sprinkle bacon bits on top, keep warm on low heat, and serve with pretzel bites or cubed bread.

Après Tip: Keep the fondue bubbling on low heat while the crowd gathers. It’s the ultimate “come and hang” food.

2. Tailgate Nachos à la Après

Purchase all ingredients for this recipe at Amazon Fresh

Cooked on: Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
Ingredients:

• Tortilla chips

• Pulled pork or shredded chicken

• Jalapeños, onions, and queso

• BBQ sauce drizzle

• Scallions and cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Camp Chef Flat Top Grill to medium-high.

2. Lightly oil the surface, then spread out the pulled pork or chicken to heat through.

3. Add the onions and jalapeños, cooking until they’re slightly charred.

4. Lay down a layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet or foil tray.

5. Top with meat, veggies, and cheese. Repeat with a second layer.

6. Place the tray on indirect heat or cover with foil until the cheese melts (about 5 minutes).

7. Drizzle with BBQ sauce, sprinkle with scallions and cilantro, and serve hot.

Après Tip: Layer them up like your base layers — chips, meat, cheese, repeat. Serve with a side of mountain-style flair (and maybe a cold IPA).

3. Smoky Brat & Beer Stew

Purchase all ingredients for this recipe at Amazon Fresh

Cooked on: Camp Chef Dutch Oven
Ingredients:

• Bratwurst links, sliced

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 cups lager or amber ale

• 2 cups beef broth

• Potatoes and carrots

• Mustard and thyme for flavor

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Dutch oven on medium heat over your Camp Chef stove.

2. Brown brat slices until golden, then remove and set aside.

3. Add onions and garlic to the pot, sautéing until translucent.

4. Deglaze with beer, scraping up the flavorful bits from the bottom.

5. Add beef broth, potatoes, carrots, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper.

6. Return brats to the pot, cover, and simmer for 30–40 minutes until veggies are tender.

7. Serve hot in enamel mugs or bowls — preferably next to the fire pit.

Après Tip: This stew tastes even better out of an enamel camp mug. Add a splash of whiskey and call it Après Stew Supreme.

4. S’mores Skillet à la Ski Lodge

Purchase all ingredients for this recipe at Amazon Fresh

Cooked on: Camp Chef Sidekick Grill or Skillet Attachment
Ingredients:

• Graham crackers

• Marshmallows

• Chocolate chunks

• A hint of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Camp Chef skillet over medium heat.

2. Combine crushed graham crackers and melted butter, then press into the skillet to form a crust.

3. Sprinkle chocolate chunks evenly over the crust.

4. Top with mini marshmallows.

5. Cover with foil and cook for 5–7 minutes until the chocolate melts and marshmallows are gooey.

6. Remove foil and toast the top for 1–2 minutes until golden (or use a torch if you’re feeling fancy).

Après Tip: Roast the marshmallows until golden, not charred — you’re not torching the corduroy, just toasting perfection.

The Après Tailgate Code of Conduct

To truly master the après or football tailgate, you have to live by a few simple rules:

1. No one eats alone. Après is communal. Pass the plate, pass the beer, hang with the cook while they are serving everything up. 

2. Chill is mandatory. You win, you booze. You lose...you booze. The game is only part of it, you are here to hang. 

3. Leave no trace. Mountain rules apply in the parking lot too. Pack it in, pack it out.

4. Cheers with purpose. Whether it’s whiskey, hot cocoa, or a frosty beer, raise a glass to good company and great weather because winter will be here before you know it and so will the powder. 

Final Whistle: Après is a Mindset

At the end of the day, both après ski and tailgating are about something bigger than sport.  They are about celebration, connection, and living in the moment.

So the next time you’re in the parking lot surrounded by diehard fans and smoky grills, remember: you’re not just tailgating… you’re après-ing with purpose.

Because when it comes to the art of the après tailgate your cooler is merely a vehicle. Ultimately, it’s about who you’re with, the stories you tell, and the memories you make before winter officially calls you back to the slopes.