This may sound ridiculous, but I was never really a huge St. Patrick's Day kind of guy. Maybe I'd toss back a beer or two or eat some Irish soda bread when the woman that I work with (who makes the best one that I have had) would put it out, but as far as really diving in on the corned beef green beer Irish craze, that just wasn't me. That is until three years ago when I happened to be on a ski trip with Ski Utah and ended up at The Umbrella Bar in the Canyons Village at Park City Ski Resort. On a bright, sunny day with temperatures in the mid 50's this served as the perfect setting for what eventually proved to begin my newfound love of spending St. Patrick's Day at a ski resort. Live music, great beers and a jubilant crowd clad in green just made après that day that much better. Since then spending this fun holiday in the mountains has become a routine, one that will continue for me this year at Mount Snow's ShamRock Fest where the All About Après Ski Team will once again try to take on our second attempt at a bar crawl that will hit every bar on the mountain. This should result in some fun times and some highly entertaining stories but I encourage you to forge your own path. Make your own stories at anyone of these incredible St. Paddy's Day Mountain festivals.
Bud Light ShamRock Fest, Mount Snow, Vt
Of course I was going to include this event...I'll be there for a reason. It's a damn good time! Aside from our colossal bar crawl undertaking (follow our Instagram story @allaboutapres and join us for a drink or two) this weekend is all about the music. Kick it off on Friday with a "sick day" and take advantage of $17 lift tickets and live music at après featuring Beast Mode. But don't go too hard too early, you'll want to be at Cuzzins bright and early Saturday morning to get your kegs and eggs on before heading out for a few laps, prior to reconvening on Main St. in the afternoon. There you'll find a pop up Mount Gay Rum bar, more live music including, Wurliday and Kwame Binea and a ton of people having a good old time. Finish the night off at the Snowbarn with the rock folk stylings of the Alpaca Gnomes. If you have anything left in the tank for the actual St. Paddy's Day, grab yourself a Bloody at the Bullwheel and finish off where you all began, back on main street jamming with the Bryac Allstars.
Bud Light Spring Jam, Aspen Snowmass, Co
Photo Credit: Aspen Snowmass
Although not a true St. Patrick's Day festival, Spring Jam is definitely worth attending. Festivals like this don't make it 19 seasons by accident and I am sure that will be plenty of attendees clad in green when the festivities kick off this Friday. Think two weeks of non-stop action across all four of Aspen's mountains including yearly staples like Freestyle Friday, the Banked Slalom, KickAspen, CORE Party, and free Bud Light Hi-Fi concerts. This year, to keep it fresh, they have even added the Helly Hansen 4 Mtn Mission, a team race and scavenger hunt across all four mountains that is guaranteed to have your après earned.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Park City Mountain, Utah
I've been to this celebration and know it's a ridiculously good time. This year should be even better the way they have been getting dumped on lately. Get your skiing in early this Sunday then take your pick of either location, the Park City Mountain Village or the Umbrella Bar in Canyons Village. Either way you'll be fine as you rock your greenest après-ski gear and enjoy everything Irish including food specials, St. Paddy's Day cookies and s'mores and free Irish swag for you to add to your collection. Plus the live folk music at either location will have you dancing and singing to your favorite Irish drinking songs all afternoon long.
Ballhooter 2019, Snowshoe Mountain, WV
What's in a name? Ballhooter just suggests something just a little out of the ordinary and with this being more of a spring break weekend than a St. Paddy's day event, that's exactly what you will get. Ballhooter is arguably the best mountain festival that you've never heard of. Head down to the the underrated Snowshoe Mountain for this hedonistic weekend long party. "It tends to get pretty rowdy, says Public Relations Manager Shawn Cassel, especially this year with Clutch and CKY performing essentially guaranteeing Ballhooter will be just as crazy as ever." Sound like you should keep your helmet on for this one and enjoy!
Snow Plow Luau & St. Patrick's Day Pond Skim, Mountain Creek, NJ
I have to give my home state's mountain of choice some love. The weather can be variable and that is when we turn up the party especially in this warm-ish weather inspired St. Patrick's Day event. Most pond skims are reserved for later in the spring, but not here is Jersey. Don your best Irish costume (or any costume, for that matter) and race down the mountain while attempting to get all the way across. Then après-pond skim with with a luau themed party at the super fun Red Tail Lodge. Kelly green Hawaiian shirt required.
Lisa and Mike Kennedy
Met you in the snowbird lift line this morning – sorry we missed you at happy hour – we got cold – left by three. Reading your blog is like reading a story of our life – very patrolled! Wish we had a chance to hang with you – I know it would have been fun! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! We’re heading home early to go to the pearl River parade! Happy st Patrick’s Day!!!