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North American apres ski resorts are the places where the best parties in the North American mountains happen!
If you're looking for the best ski resort night life in North America and the best off slope facilities, then this list of the ten best apres ski resorts in North America is the place to start planning your wild North America ski holiday
North America: Top 10 Ski Resorts for Apres Ski
Prestige is probably the word that best describes Aspen Snowmass. This is one of the most renowned resorts worldwide, with 4 ski areas, exclusive dining and après, high-end shopping and the chance to rub shoulders with the A-Listers. If you can afford Aspen Snowmass, there are few places to rival this exquisite destination.
We love Breckenridge - an outstanding, all-round resort with a friendly atmosphere, heaps to do and an infectiously bubbly après scene. It’s the birthplace of competitive freestyle, has some of the highest quality skiing and snowboarding in the States and is repeatedly rated as one of the best ski resorts in the world.
Consistently voted near, if not at the top of almost every skier’s dream destination as well as most official rankings, Whistler has planted its roots very deeply and is there to stay. This monolithic resort has hosted events like the Winter Olympics and continues to draw in athletes, holidaymakers and anyone else who visits with an intense, immeasurable and undiminishing pull.
When everyone thinks about the world’s biggest ski area, they immediately think of the Three Valleys, which works in Lake Tahoe’s favour as it keeps lift queues and piste density down. Add this to well over 20,000 acres of the most varied skiable terrain, Las Vegas style après, Californian sun and breath-taking views, and you have a truly epic ski area.
You’ll be hard pushed to find someone who hasn’t heard of Vail. Rivalling Aspen as the resort of choice for the uber rich and super famous, it’s the 2nd largest ski area in the USA, has a vibrant cosmopolitan town and offers an outstanding visitor experience - one of the best in the world.
Encompassing an old cowboy town, mountain resort, 2,500 acres of inbound terrain and almost limitless backcountry, Jackson Hole should definitely be high up the bucket list for any passionate skier. It was voted “Best Overall Resort in North America” by SKI Magazine - if that’s not enough of a reason to visit, we don’t know what is.
With a slightly different ski holiday on the cards, spend your days out and about exploring the sights and ski areas of the magnificent national park (featuring some of the best scenery and slopes on the planet) – before heading downtown for hearty Canadian grub, friendly nightlife and world-renowned accommodation in one of North America’s legendary mountain towns.
Marmot Basin is heaven on earth if you love unpretentious, untamed skiing. The slopes are split evenly for beginners, intermediates and experts, all covered in deliciously dry powder; both Marmot Basin and Jasper Town have a friendly, authentic and down to earth vibe where you’ll feel right at home and the surrounding Rockies are naturally awesome.
Family-focused and Quebec’s skiing capital, this is one of North America’s oldest, most loved resorts. Whether it’s the brightly coloured village, Franco-Canadian atmosphere or another thing entirely, there’s something seriously enchanting about Mont Tremblant – a ski town like no other where maple taffies meet Savoie fondues.
Whether it’s down to a local legend, the Griz, or just good old Mother Nature, an annual snow depth of more than two double-decker buses is the making of an awesome week on the Rockies. And with those glorious groomers and deep powder bowls up in resort, plus some cool Canadian vibes downtown, what’s not to love about Fernie?
North American Après-ski FAQ:
Though Europe’s the original home of après ski, the liveliest resorts in Canada and the US certainly give the motherland a run for its money. You’ll find buzzing bars and lounges, a whole mix of food (American grills, Mexican, Italian, pub grub) and an eclectic range of craft beers and whiskeys to quench your thirst. There’s also no shortage of on-snow activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling and snow tubing.
From mid-afternoon, groups will start to gather to let their hair down as they finish the day’s skiing – often coinciding with bar and restaurant happy hours! Some venues stay open beyond midnight allowing après to blend into a big night on the mountain.
- Live music gigs
- Ice skating
- Axe throwing
- Snowmobiling
- Dog sledding
American cuisine includes burgers, grills, mac ‘n’ cheese and Mexican dishes like chilli. Poutine’s a Canadian delicacy, and you might come across a French style fondue in Quebec. Sweet treats include waffles and maple taffy. Drinks-wise, look out for craft beer, whiskeys and Canadian hot apple cider.
Venues tend to be pretty casual about you rocking up in the ski gear you’ve spent the day in. If heading somewhere swankier, you might prefer to go home to change into smarter knitwear and trousers first – just make sure your footwear’s snow-suitable!
Whistler’s Garibaldi Lift Co. with its craft beer, burgers and DJ nights draws in many punters day after day. Garfinkel’s in Vail is great for a beer on the terrace and live sports. Aspen’s Ajax Tavern is a fine spot for sipping bubbly on the balcony, and Bar Cafe d’Epoque in Mont Tremblant is where to head for a full-blown party night.
In the USA it’s Jackson Hole’s Mangy Moose with brilliant food and drink, a quality selection of music and super friendly bar staff. In Canada, Whistler’s Garibaldi Lift Co. wins with its scenic views, pumping playlists and pitchers of West Coast brews.
- Mangy Moose in Jackson Hole
- Sheridan Opera House in Telluride
- Belly Up in Aspen
- Dusty’s in Whistler
- Kokanee Kabin in Banff
- Garfinkel’s, Moe Joe’s in Whistler
- Le P'tit Caribou in Mont Tremblant
- Shakedown Bar in Vail
- Belly Up in Aspen
- Downstairs in Park City
A few of our top picks are The Fairmont Chateau in Whistler with its Mallard Lounge, The Little Nell in Aspen with it’s Chair 9 bar, and Vail Cascade Resort and Spa with its Fireside Lounge - one of Vail’s best après spots.
Our favourites include Araxi in Whistler for gourmet, Robbie’s Tavern in Breckenridge for families and The 10th in Vail for scenery.
- Dog sledding (Mont Tremblant , Whistler & more)
- Sleigh ride & pizza evenings (Beaver Creek)
- Treehouse Adventure Centre (Aspen)
- Snow tubing (Blue Mountain, Lake Tahoe & more)
- Snowshoeing & S’mores (Park City)
Yes, usually until a certain time of day. If there aren’t other children around, check with staff when you get there, so you don’t get settled in then asked to leave.
In Canada it’s 18 for Alberta, Manitoba, and Québec provinces and 19 for the rest of the country.
In the USA it varies by state, but it’s usually 21 for buying and consuming alcohol, and that’s the case in all of the popular skiing states: Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, California.
(this information was accurate when written)
In the US between $5-10 which equates to roughly £4-8. In Canada, usually C$7-10, which is around £4-6 (NB: a North American pint is about 100ml smaller than a UK pint).
(this information was accurate when written)
Happy hour is an unmissable time of the day when a bar or restaurant offers special deals on drinks or food. Often it’s longer than an hour too - perhaps a few hours at the end of the afternoon to get your evening off to a splendid start.
If you’re a big group it’s best to book ahead for restaurants but usually places are more than happy to host a group of stags or hens (known as bachelor and bachelorette parties on this side of the pond). If in doubt, just ask.
Yes – most mountain resorts in Canada and the United States offer morning or afternoon only ski passes – sometimes called ‘partial day lift tickets’. Some also do evening passes if you fancy a spot of night skiing.
Lots of places take cards these days but it’s a good idea to carry a bit of cash to be safe and not sorry. Resorts and larger hotels have ATMs for withdrawing dollars. If plastic’s your preference, it’s worth checking foreign transaction and currency exchange fees.
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