7 Classic Cottonwood Canyon Après Ski Bars Locals Swear By
Salt Lake City, often called Ski City, USA, isn’t just a hub for restaurants, bars, breweries, and cultural events. It’s also the perfect base for Salt Lake City skiing and Cottonwood Canyon après ski adventures. Just a 30–40 minute drive from downtown, Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon are home to four world-class ski resorts, Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton, which receive an average annual snowfall of 500 inches. With epic snow, top-notch slopes, and easy city access, it’s no wonder skiers and snowboarders from across the country flock to Salt Lake City for both skiing and après ski experiences.
Lead Photo Courtesy of Ski City
Cottonwood Canyon Après Ski: Four Bars You Can’t Miss
After a day on the slopes, nothing completes the Utah ski experience like a great Cottonwood Canyon après ski scene. Each resort has its own iconic après bar, from the lively Thirsty Squirrel at Solitude to Molly Green’s at Brighton, perfect for unwinding with craft beers, cocktails, and mountain-town vibes. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, these bars are essential stops for anyone chasing the full Utah ski and après adventure.
Gear Up for Cottonwood Canyon Après
Après in the Cottonwoods is earned, not staged. Whether you’re coming off Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, or Solitude, these essentials make the transition from last chair to first round seamless.
1. Where to Stay — Be Close to the Canyons
Staying near Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon keeps après simple and stress-free. Look for ski-friendly hotels in Sandy or Midvale so you’re never rushing the drive after a long ski day.
Find ski-trip hotel deals on Booking.com
2. What to Wear — Après-Ready Layers
Cottonwood après is casual, warm, and functional. Think technical layers that still look good sitting at the bar—perfect for snowy walks from the lot to the lodge.
Shop versatile outerwear from Akova Gear
3. Après Style — Rep the Ski Life
A hoodie, beanie, or tee that nods to ski culture fits right in. Comfort matters, but so does showing you earned your turns.
Grab cozy après gear from All About Après
4. Getting Around — Plan for Winter Roads
Canyon traffic and weather can change fast. Having the right vehicle—or planning ahead—keeps your après plans intact.
Compare AWD rentals on DiscoverCars
5. Protect the Trip — Just in Case
Weather delays, road closures, or last-minute changes happen. A little coverage keeps small hiccups from becoming big headaches.
Get covered with Visitor’s Coverage
6. Beyond the Bar — Keep the Après Energy
If the night keeps rolling, Salt Lake has brewery tours, tastings, and winter experiences that pair perfectly with a ski day.
Browse local experiences on Viator
7. Take It Home — Après Doesn’t End at Last Call
From local beer to mountain-town spirits, sometimes the best souvenir is liquid. A rugged cooler makes sure it all gets home safely.
Upgrade your cooler with RovR
8. Keep Your Gear Organized — CLIPSTIC Makes Après Easier
After a long day shredding the Cottonwoods, the last thing you want is a chaotic pile of skis, poles, and boots. CLIPSTIC keeps all your gear clipped together, making it easy to transport from car to lodge, lodge to après bar, and back again. No more tangled poles or lost skis—just smooth transitions so you can focus on the fun.
Simplify your ski day with CLIPSTIC
Pro Tip: Clip your gear tight before heading to the bar—you’ll thank yourself when you leave without the post-ski scramble.
Ski Hard. Sip Slow. Après Right.
Classic Cottonwood Canyon après is simple, authentic, and earned—cold beers, strong pours, and no frills. These four bars prove that when the skiing is this good, the après speaks for itself.
Thirsty Squirrel – Solitude Mountain Resort
Anyone down to shoot some pool?
Photo Courtesy of Ski City
If you have been to Solitude then chances are you have been to the Thirsty Squirrel. It has been dubbed The Après Bar there for a reason. Located in Solitude Village, the Thirsty Squirrel is regularly filled at the end of the day with locals and visitors alike. There are even appearances from our four legged friends as the ski patrol and their avalanche dogs often show up when their work is done.
$7 will get you a shot and a beer as you unwind and test your skills in pinball, shuffleboard and darts. Or, just simply swap stoked up stories over pints of craft beer from one of their eight taps and some live music. The Thirsty Squirrel is Solitude's quintessential ski bar. A true fan favorite that will have you feeling right at home whether you are local or just visiting.
Side note: This year, several of their taps are dedicated to worthy causes in partnership with two Utah breweries. For every pint sold of its Yard Sale Winter Lager, Uinta Brewing makes a donation to Protect Our Winters. For every pint sold from a Moab Brewery tap handle in the Thirsty Squirrel, Moab makes a donation to Wasatch Backcountry Rescue avalanche dog training program.
Molly Green’s – Brighton Resort
Dancing the night away at Molly Green's
Photo Credit Brighton Resort
Après Ski doesn't get more classic than a ski in ski out bar housed in an A-Frame lodge at the base of the mountain. That's Molly Green's to a tee. When you finish your day on the slopes, head right upstairs to the second floor of the Brighton Manor. There you will find a rustic stone fireplace that sits adorned with their famous moose as the centerpiece of Brighton Resort's classic après ski bar.
Oh the stories that moose could tell. From the rumors of this once being a brothel to the lively post pow scene that has developed throughout the years, there would be no shortage of tall tales. Tales that are only aided by the excellent food, amazing selection of craft beer and the awesome patrons who tell them as they partake in it all while warming up by the fire.
Side Note: Brighton is one of the most family friendly resorts in all of Utah. Lower lift ticket prices, free skiing for kids 10 and under and a solid mix of terrain has attracted families for generations. Between this and Molly's, Brighton has the next generation of skiers growing up on the right track.
Alta Peruvian Bar - Alta Ski Area
Snow day vibes at the Alta Peruvian Lodge.
Photo Credit: Alta Ski Area, Alta Peruvian Lodge
The old school vibe and sick terrain that Alta is known for carries over into their après ski classic, the Alta Peruvian Bar. Also known as P-Dog, it's local dive bar meets rough around the edges après. Great views of the sick terrain you just shredded inspires the many high fives and stories of the day while local bands whip the crowd into a frenzy.
Free popcorn is there for the taking, but, remember, it's not meant to be dinner. For almost 50 years, P-Dog has served great food and local craft beers and spirits to all who have paid "the liveliest place at Alta" a visit. If Molly's moose has stories to tell, the Peruvian's Bison could give it a run for it's money. It has truly seen it all.
Sipping Hot Toddies at the Sitz.
Photo Credit: Alta Ski Area
Side Note: Looking for a bit of a quieter scene, try the Sitzmark in the Alta Lodge. Another local favorite where you can watch the sun set on Superior while sipping a tasty Hot Toddy stirred up for you by local ski legend and Alta pro Dan Withey.
The Tram Club - Snowbird
Cheers to a great day at Snowbird.
Photo Credit Matt Crawley
Just a hop, ski and a jump...well maybe don't skip or jump in your ski boots, you'll probably slip. Located two flights of stairs below the Tram on the first floor of the Snowbird Center, you will find Snowbird's famous Tram Club. Roll up in your wet ski clothes at this sports bar meets après ski classic post ski bar.
Sports Bar meets après ski at the Tram Club.
Photo Credit Matt Crawley
The Tram Club is and institution and has arguably the best deal around for après ski. How do you beat $5 for a beer and a shot? Drink specials like that can definitely lead to a rowdy crowd and some seriously fun times. But that's what you can expect as you hang and swap stories with the tram wheels are spinning right in front of you. That and the spicy cheese fries which are the avi bomb of the appetizer world.
Side Note: Snowbird's newest restaurant, Seventy One, opened in August of 2019 and is a true throwback to the year it is named after. 1971 is when Snowbird opened and the decor of this retro chic restaurant is a tribute to that time. Swanky and cool with a full menu and outdoor dining, this new hot spot is worth your consideration.
Goldminer’s Daughter — Alta Ski Area
Photo Credit: @gmdlodge Instagram
Goldminer’s Daughter is a true Alta après ski classic. And I do mean classic. This longtime lodge bar has been a post-ski staple for decades. Welcoming skiers straight off the slopes with warm drinks, casual bites, and a laid-back mountain atmosphere it delivers exactly what skiers expect from Cottonwood Canyon après ski. The obvious highlight here is the legendary Alta Bomb. It's the espresso shot (yes, espresso shot) and PBR combo that you didn't know you needed after a day of skiing. But it is as much a rite of passage after a day skiing Alta’s iconic terrain as the terrain itself.
The crowd filters in, boots stay on and the stories flow like beers from the tap. Goldminer’s Daughter captures the unfiltered, old-school spirit that defines Alta après ski.
Side Note: The rustic lodge setting and mix of locals and visitors make this one of the best places to experience authentic Cottonwood Canyon ski culture.
Slopeside Joe’s — Alta Ski Area
Photo Credit: @gmdlodge Instagram
If you’re looking for a bar that is a bit higher-energy, then Slopeside Joe’s is where things ramp up fast. Located right on the patio at the base area, it’s one of the easiest spots to roll into after the lifts stop spinning. You legit can't miss it! The crowd is lively, the music is loud, and the aforementioned Alta Bomb is the go-to order as skiers relive their best runs of the day.
This is a classic can't miss Cottonwood Canyon après ski bar with no-frills and fueled by powder days and shared stoke.
Side Note: Slopeside Joe’s is especially rowdy on storm days, when deep snow and early lift closures turn après ski into an all-afternoon affair.
Sitzmark — Alta Lodge
Looking for a more relaxed take on Alta après ski? The Sitzmark inside the Alta Lodge offers a slower, more refined Cottonwood Canyon après experience. With cozy seating, warm lighting, and sweeping views of Mount Superior, it’s an ideal place to kickback and unwind after a full day of skiing. Skiers gather here over the deliciously wafting scent of the Hot Spice Cider that legendary bartender and Alta pro skier Dan Withey has warming on the bar. Order one (or three) up and watch from the windows as the alpenglow fades behind the peaks.
The Sitzmark is calm, welcoming, and built for lingering (trust me, I've lingered there quite long). It's proof that not all Cottonwood Canyon après ski bars need to be loud to be memorable.
Side Note: This is a favorite spot for skiers looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a quieter, more scenic end to the day at Alta.
Classic Cottonwood Canyon Après, Done Right
From rowdy base-area bars to cozy lodge lounges, Cottonwood Canyon après ski is as much a part of the experience as the turns themselves. Whether you’re raising an Alta Bomb at Goldminer’s Daughter, swapping stories at P-Dogs or dancing to the live music at Molly Green's, these classic après ski bars capture what makes skiing Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, and Solitude so special.
Don’t Miss the Next Après
If you love discovering the best après ski bars, ski-town travel tips, and mountain culture stories, make sure you don’t miss what’s next.
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Ski hard. Sip slow. Après always.
Blog Post updated 12/17/2025
