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Where to go for apres ski this season
Aprés-ski is the social side of skiing, whether it’s a casual gathering in a hotel lobby or a full-blown dance party at a bar, it is arguably just as fun as a day spent carving turns on the mountains. It’s those few hours after a long day spent on the slopes, just before dinner when you’re ready to warm up with a hot toddy next to a crackling fireplace.
Ski resorts all over the world dedicate bars and lounges to creating the perfect aprés-ski vibe, so kick off your ski boots, treat yourself to a glass of champagne and bask in the long-lived tradition that draws crowds every winter season. No ski experience required.
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W Aspen | Aspen, Colorado
Aspen’s most anticipated hotel recently opened in 2019. The W Aspen features 88 guest rooms, 11 residences and the town’s highest and only 360-degree rooftop with breathtaking views of Aspen Mountain. As with any new hotel opening, W Aspen still has a few kinks to work out, but the hotel is expected to be the new aprés-ski hot spot this season.
The trendy hotel pays homage to Aspen’s mining history with hallways that mimic a mining shaft, and a massive silver sculpture at the heart of the hotel representing the largest silver nugget ever found at Smuggler Mine in Aspen.
Hotel guest offerings include complimentary yoga classes at Aspen Shakti in town, drivers on-site for airport and local transportation, as well as a one-stop-shop for ski rentals courtesy of Four Mountain Sports with easy access to the ski lift.
Between 2 pm-6 pm, aprés-ski will kick off on the WET Deck and then move downstairs to the living room, where you can stay warm as the temperature drops, dancing to international beats by resident DJ Kevin Joyal.
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Fairmont Chateau Whistler | Whistler, British Columbia
We’d be remiss not to include a hotel in Whistler, the biggest ski area in North America, which also happens to have one of the longest ski seasons. One of Whistler’s premier luxury destinations, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, is situated at the base of Blackcomb and recently completed extensive guest room renovations following the restaurant revamp in 2018.
The iconic hotel continues to attract skiers for its views of the majestic mountains, lively bar scene and nightly entertainment at the popular mountainside Mallard Lounge. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails like Bees Knees #2 (made with honey from their rooftop bees) around the outdoor fire pits after a day on the slopes.
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The Village at Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley, California
Avid skiers in Southern California often opt for Mammoth Mountain for its close proximity, but its sister mountain in the north, Squaw Valley, is often less crowded and provides more skiable acreage and lifts.
The slopeside accommodations at The Village are condominium-style suites equipped with a full kitchen and fireplace, so you can cozy up in your room after hitting the slopes. The European-inspired Village features over 50 bars, shops and restaurants such as Rocker. You’ll find locals and families alike warming up post-ski with drinks and pub fare, like the Rocker nachos (which are a must).
Just a stone’s throw away is Le Chamois, also known as “The Chammy,” which pays tribute to the 1960 Winter Olympics hosted in Squaw Valley. You’ll find ski memorabilia plastered on the walls and locals enjoying three-foot-tall beers.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe | Truckee, California
Conveniently located less than a four-hour drive from San Francisco and a 90-minute flight from Los Angeles, it’s no surprise Lake Tahoe is a world-class ski destination.
The family-friendly Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe is the first AAA Five Diamond resort in the Lake Tahoe area, featuring 170 guest rooms and a gondola that connects to the nearby Village at Northstar. Get an early start to aprés-ski from 11 am-5 pm at Backyard, and enjoy shrimp cocktail and oysters from the raw bar from 12 pm-3 pm.
If you prefer to stay warm indoors, take advantage of their Winter Apres Recovery Package, which includes deluxe accommodations and a 50-minute spa treatment per night at the resort’s award-winning 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center.
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Fahrenheit Seven | Val Thorens, France
The chic ski-in, ski-out resort is nestled in Les 3 Vallées, one of the largest ski regions in the world, comprised of seven resorts. Located in the Val Thorens resort, Fahrenheit Seven offers an elevated aprés-ski experience (pun intended).
You’ll find a vibrant bar scene featuring live music three times a week at the trendy wine bar, Le Zinc, and regular dance parties on the terrace with DJ sets, so you can party into the wee hours of the night. The hotel location also provides easy access to the beginner slopes, which is especially convenient if you’re looking to take ski lessons.
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Limelight Hotel Snowmass | Snowmass, Colorado
Base Village has been buzzing ever since Limelight Snowmass opened in January 2019. The ski-in, ski-out property with direct access to Snowmass Mountain offers a variety of amenities for adventure seekers including complimentary snowshoes and Colorado’s tallest indoor rock-realistic climbing wall.
Enjoy aprés-ski at The Lounge from 3 pm to 7 pm, where you can unwind with a drink and bar bites. Live music is also on offer five nights of the week.
A really special perk of staying here? Guests of Limelight Hotel Snowmass get first access to ski on fresh powder just before Snowmass Mountain opens to the public through their “first tracks” program. It’s available every Friday to the first six guests who sign up at the front desk.
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Four Seasons Resort & Residences Jackson Hole | Teton Village, Wyoming
The only ski-in, ski-out property in Teton Village, Four Seasons Resort & Residences Jackson Hole is a great option for early risers who like to be first in line on the mountain. The upscale resort offers a Ski Concierge that will handle ski rentals and storage, or plan a custom itinerary tailored to your skill level.
Starting this winter, the hotel announced its newest aprés-ski offerings open to hotel and non-hotel guests, featuring an igloo-shaped bar called Fahrenheit 47. Aptly named for the ideal champagne temperature, it’s located on the pool deck and is open from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm daily during aprés-ski season.
In addition, guests can unwind at the property’s award-winning spa after a day of outdoor adventures.
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Hotel Farinet | Verbier, Switzerland
Hotel Farinet takes aprés-ski to a whole new level. The trendy boutique hotel, in the heart of Verbier in the Swiss Alps, is perfect for party-goers who enjoy a bustling nightlife and club scene that pumps music until the sun rises (read: don’t expect to get much sleep during your stay).
The festivities begin with live music during aprés-ski every night and continue around 11 pm at South nightclub where dancing on tables is highly encouraged. The centrally located hotel features homey, rustic modern rooms with amenities like a Nespresso machine to kickstart your morning after a night of partying.
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Montage Deer Valley | Park City, Utah
This palatial hotel amid a mountainous backdrop provides the ultimate aprés-ski experience with The Après Lounge, located between the Ruby and Express lifts.
Open daily from 12 pm to 4 pm for a mid-day retreat, The Après Lounge exclusively features Veuve Clicquot bubbles by the glass or bottle, as well as epicurean bites like caviar and charcuterie.
Montage Deer Valley offers three additional bars and several dining options, including Yama Sushi, Burgers & Bourbon and a pub with its own bowling alley.
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The Wilson Hotel | Big Sky, Montana
The Wilson Hotel is open for its first ski season in Big Sky, Montana. Named after President Woodrow Wilson who signed the act to create the National Park Service, The Wilson Hotel is situated amongst natural beauty, so the outdoors are your playground.
Rent one of the complimentary bikes available for hotel guests or hit the hiking trails nearby and then head to the hotel’s heated pool deck and fire up the grill for a snug dinner around the fire pits.
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