Photo Credit: Dan Campbell Photography
With all of the snow that has been dropping like crazy countrywide, it is tough to even think that it's actually spring. But, it is. That means that skiing's second season is officially here. Time to shred soft bumps in nothing but our All About Après t-shirts and when you're done, these longer spring days offer the perfect opportunity to après ski right out of your tailgate. Don't let anyone think it's your first rodeo. Have the frisbee ready for the polish horseshoes and grab these tailgate essentials so that you can dominate the outdoor après ski game.
Yeti Rambler Colster $24.99
Simply stated, this is the best koozie ever. 12 oz. cans and bottles fit securely in the colster thanks to the Load and Lock gasket top. And, the double-wall vacuum insulation will keep your beers cold for the entire time that you're drinking them. You can even customize your colster and stay on-brand while your beers stay nice and cold.
Vuarnet Ice $270
With the sun reflecting off the mountain, it can get a little bright out there. That being said, you need a good pair of shades. The Vuarnet Ice is ideal for these conditions. Mineral glass lenses protect your eyes in these extreme conditions and a design that includes the nifty side protectors make them ideal for both skiing and après skiing.
All About Après Adirondack Chair Signature Hoodie $45
Get out of your jacket and into the softest sweatshirt that you'll ever wear. Our Adirondack Chair logo epitomizes après ski tailgating and the soft tri-blend material will keep you warm and comfortable all tailgate party long. Pair it with our Classic Distressed Trucker Hat to cover up that helmet hair and you'll look and feel damn good all party long.
Bullfrog BF100 Speaker $199.95
You have to have good tunes if you're tailgating. The BF100 will do everything you want, short of booking a band. With sounds so clear, who needs live music? It's small enough to fit in your pack so if you so happen to want to jam on the slopes don’t worry, it’s waterproof. You won’t need to worry if it falls in the snow while you're rocking out in the parking lot.
Upslope Brewing 2018 Experimental IPA
A good tailgate party deserves a good beer. Upslope, the après everything brewery, has once again gone out of bounds with this year's experimental IPA. Their combination of hops here is next level and produces a juicy ipa that is ideal for spring après.
Therm-a-Rest Uno Chair $89.95
Kick back and relax in what might be the best tailgate chair ever. Not only is it comfy, but it packs up into its own disk base and fits conveniently inside your backpack. Oh yeah, did I mentioned that it can also convert into a side table to hold your snacks while you gelande quaff?
Forsake Range Low (Men & Women) $139
Loosen those ski boots, slide your sore feet out of them and into the best sneakerboots on the market. These waterproof shoes are durable enough to repel the toughest parking lot conditions. However, where they really separate themselves from normal boots is in comfort and style. They look as good as your most stylish pair of kicks and are equally as comfortable, especially when you partnered with a nice pair of smartwool socks.
Rovr Rollr 60 Cooler $399
The Rovr 60 has all the features that you need in a cooler and more. Compartments inside will keep your beers and food icy cold without your chips getting dipped in water. Cup holders are ideal for tailgating and the cutting board allows you to slice up your après apps struggle free. And, just in case you have a side quiver on your bike for your skis, you could actually attach the cooler to it and ride up to the mountain in the warm spring air.
Old Town Cellars Townie Rose $18.99
Photo Credit: Dan Campbell Photography
It would be silly to have an après ski tailgate party and not bring The Official Wine of Après. The townie rose is absolutely the way to go. It's bright, crisp flavor profile and lower alcohol content is the perfect pairing for spring skiing. The timing could not could also not be any better. Join OTC's online wine club between 3/26-4/7 and they are offering free shipping on cases.
Growlerwerks Ukeg Stainless 128 $199
If you're a craft beer drinker like me, then you probably have quite a collection of growlers that you carry around with you from brewery to brewery. I have a few, but none are cooler or more convenient than the Ukeg from Growlerwerks. Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps the beer nice and cold while the C02 cartridge keeps the beer fresh for days. It also allows you to get a nice clean pour straight from the attached tap and right into your accompanying Upint beer chalice.
Traeger Portable Tabletop Grill (PTG) $299
Photo courtesy of Traeger Grills
It would be a major faux pas if your après ski tailgate party failed to include food. Nothing makes food taste more delicious than a wood pellet grill from Traeger. It's what I use when I'm cooking at home and now their PTG allows you to take that savory wood flavor with you on the road. Throw some burgers on for a quicker meal or get a little crazy and smoke a rack of ribs or a beer can chicken. Either way, the smoke signals that you'll be sending from your tailgate is bound to make other people's taste buds water. If you’re struggling to drum up some tasty recipes, check out our Après Ski Food Blog for some inspiration.
We hope you’ve not only learned a lot about what equipment you can’t go without for your après tailgate, but also snagged yourself a few of these winning items. The All About Après Ski and Snowboarding Gear Blog is the absolute best place to get our honest reviews and top recommendations for winter gear. Come back for regular updated and as always, when you add any of the mentioned gear, let us know what you think in the comments below!