Here's How Resorts Are Maximizing Après This Ski Season

Love après ski but worried that COVID-19 has messed with the time-honored tradition for the 2020/2021 ski season? Don't let it get you down. Après isn't gone. It just looks a little different.

Related: Refundable Ski Vacation Packages | Flexible Cancellations, Zero or No Deposits

From Deer Valley to Telluride and Aspen Snowmass to Steamboat Springs, our resort partners, beloved local restauranteurs, and hospitality experts have been getting creative so that you can raise a glass in style after skiing or riding to your heart's content.

Although shot skis with complete strangers may have to wait a little while, that doesn't mean you can't have a ball with your shred squad right now. With that in mind, we've looked at all the adapted après offerings and we think you'll enjoy letting your hair down in ski country this season, albeit in peaceful and safe settings such as sundecks, yurts, and converted gondola cars.

[Cover Image: Stein Eriksen Lodge - Deer Valley]

Feeling Yurty?

Does dining in a see-through yurt with 360-degree views and space heating sound like your idea of a memorable dining experience? We thought so and this season there's no better option for a laid-back après session with your friends than booking a yurt for the crew at the wonderfully appointed Bonnie's at Aspen Mountain. Bonnies features classic alpine fare and remains the perfect spot to cheers in comfort while creating your crew's very own après buzz (pun intended).

If you're looking for some five-star dining following a long day on the mountain, Deer Valley Resort's Stein Eriksen Lodge features their very own, "Stein Alpenglobes" which are custom-built, wooden yurts that provide a uniquely private slopeside sojourn. In Steamboat, Aurum Food and Wine features a wide-ranging menu with plenty of cocktails to keep you and your crew cozy in your heated yurt.

Gondola Car Meetups

The Town of Mountain Village, located just above Telluride, led the way when it announced last summer that they would be hosting outdoor dining in their Mountain Village using repurposed gondola cars for groups of 2-8 people. Not only is the scene private, fun, and safe but patrons can order food from some 12 restaurants via QR Codes throughout Mountain Village. This has been the perfect solution for families interested in dining outside of their hotel while also getting to experience delectable dishes in a once-in-a-lifetime setting. Other examples of awesome gondola car dining experiences across ski country include Mountain Tap Brewing in Steamboat Springs, CO, which is perfect for household birthday parties or just a casual après.

Here Comes The Sun

Sundecks. Sundecks. Sundecks. As the sun rises higher in the sky each day, so does the average high temp, making outdoor dining and relaxing an option as we leave the frigid days of mid-winter behind us. And there's no better place to enjoy the spring sun than by spending some quality après time in Lake Tahoe. Known as Après Beach, Northstar at Lake Tahoe features an expansive outdoor dining and drinking area that includes access to Bourbon Pub and White Rabbit. The two sun-drenched patios also include plenty of firepits and even blankets to keep you safe and warm while toasting to your pod. Other great sundecks in ski country include the Sundeck at Aspen Mountain as well as the Casper Restaurant at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

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