On-mountain ski bars to check out this season
By Melissa Voss
Resorts are ready to offer skiers and boarders a great time on and off the boards — and convenient spots to relax those hamstrings, no matter where you are on their properties.
To that end, many resorts have taken to the slopes for on-mountain pit-stops. Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Aspen Snowmass and Steamboat Springs have standout bars and dives that invite skiers to take it easy and enjoy the mountain views.
Cruisin’ Down to Crested Butte Mountain Resort
New to the ski-bar scene? Crested Butte has you covered with two on-the-mountain bars: Paradise Warming House and Butte 66.
Bring your snow-fanatic friends down to the Paradise Warming House, located at the bottom of the Paradise Bowl. The Warming House is easily accessible to skiers of all levels, and offers a large variety of centralized food and beverage options, such as their signature chili and soups to keep you warm. The fun keeps going on the patio, where live music and entertainment are always in full swing.
Looking for a spot to relax after a long ski day and just enjoy the view of Crested Butte? Just off the Red Lady Express and new to Crested Butte is Butte 66, a cozy bar with a view for anyone looking to warm up inside or spend their sipping time out on the mountain patio.
Giddy Up Down to Steamboat
Ready to embrace the aprés? Steamboat Springs offers up local favorites to visitors and locals alike at the Four Points Lodge and T Bar.
At almost two miles above sea level, Four Points lodge nestles itself perfectly in line with Storm Peak. The lodge embraces cowboy culture, honoring a vast array of historic cowboys and cowgirls. Kenzie Gard, the communications coordinator at Steamboat, explains that the lodge itself is a walking museum.
“The bar is a timeline of famous cowboys and cowgirls, and instead of pictures of the cowboys themselves, they are represented by the brushed steel replicas of their personal cowboy hats set into the bar top. So every bar stool is set in front of a historic cowboy hat. You’ll see hats ranging from Annie Oakley from the 1880s to Steamboat’s own cowboy, Billy Kidd.” Not sure what to get for a sip on the slope? Try out the famous bloody mary, crafted with their own house-made bloody mary mix.
T Bar celebrates 13 years at Steamboat this year, bringing the laid-back environment to skiers looking to relax at a local dive on the mountain, or grab a cold beer or cocktail and get back to the slopes. This local favorite offers both an inside and outside bar to fit any weather northwest Colorado experiences.
Fun All Year Round at Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass has you covered all year with two on-the-mountain bar experiences.
Right up the Elk Camp Gondola is the Elk Camp restaurant on Snowmass Mountain, your one-stop shop during summer and winter. Kids can enjoy cornhole or basketball in the kid’s room or join the whole family on the “Breathtaker” Alpine Coaster that passes through a mile of Snowmass’ mid-mountain treescape. But there is more fun inside with the main bar located next to their market-style restaurant, which is convenient for grab-and-go drinks or other items if you plan to stay on the mountain a bit longer.
Looking for a cozy cabin experience with s’mores, wine and more? Look no further than the local favorite, Lynn Britt Cabin – located next to the terrain park and Spider Sabitch Race arena on Snowmass. The Lynn Britt Cabin hosts DJs on the weekends and is open longer than other restaurants up the mountain, guaranteeing a good time and a breathtaking view for your weekend ski trip. The cabin also provides private igloos that can be booked for a day, including full menu service, a bottle of champagne, and a selection of cheeses and charcuterie.
Skier’s Day Out at Breckenridge Ski Resort
The Maggie and The TBar offer unique experiences for anyone making their way down Breckenridge’s Peaks 8 and 9.
The Maggie, off of Peak 9, offers a classic beer-hall atmosphere. It takes care of skiers from dawn to dusk, with breakfast at The Waffle Shop and appetizers at the full bar.
Shining high from Peak 8, the TBar holds a more “life of the party” atmosphere for skiers. It is a popular location for classic crafts, small bites and good company.
Communications manager Julie Block notes that the location of both The Maggie and The TBar are great hangouts for those who want a pit stop before taking the party into Breckenridge. “The cool and unique thing about Breck is that you can literally ski right into town from the mountain via Peak 8 or Peak 9, so you can begin your après celebrations on the mountain and take that straight into town.”
Melissa Voss is a South Dakota native who recently moved to Colorado. She is currently a student at the University of Colorado Denver, following her passion for literature and writing in hopes of going into higher education.
This article appeared in the January-February issue of our print magazine. Click here to read the full magazine online.