It’s often said that skiing is more than a sport. It’s a culture that connects winter outdoor enthusiasts through their love of nature, speed, and moving rhythmically down the mountain slopes. At the epicenter of that culture is après ski, a wide range of opportunities to revel in the camaraderie at the end of a day on the hill. From eclectic dining to late-night carousing, New England has its share of legendary après destinations. Here are 10 of the best.
Après ski means microbrews, fine dining, live music, and carousing
How you play it may depend on whether you’re planning to be first on the slopes the next morning
Red Parka Steakhouse and Pub, Glen, N.H. I once drove an hour out of the way for a Red Parka Pub burger topped with sauteed mushrooms, which is about as good a meal as you’re going to find in Mount Washington Valley. For almost 40 years, this place has defined après ski at the crossroads between Wildcat and Attitash. Red Parka has an inviting atmosphere where drafts are served in mason jars, ski movies are screened on the dining room wall, and the salad bar can stand as a meal on its own. The crowd is always lively, the bartenders friendly, and the conversation invariably shifts to that day’s experience on the slopes. At the junction of US 302 and N.H. 16, 603-383-4344, www.redparkapub.com
Mr. Pickwick’s Pub, Stowe, Vt. This cozy pub at Ye Olde England Inne offers a fine dining alternative to rowdier Stowe mainstays. The divergent menu, featuring elk sirloin, prosciutto-wrapped kangaroo, and Kobe beef burgers, sets this place apart. The rustic warmth of the bar room and the attentive staff (many of whom remember customers from season to season) make it a compelling spot to meet after a day on Mount Mansfield. The beer selection is beyond compare in Vermont, with a dizzying array of Vermont microbrews and British offerings. 433 Mountain Road, 802-253-7558,www.mrpickwicks.com
The Wobbly Barn, Killington, Vt. Killington Access Road is often referred to as the mecca of New England après ski. Still, among the plethora of options, the Pickle Barrel and Wobbly Barn are renowned for their boisterous night life. But the Wobbly Barn wins because of its steakhouse offerings. Dine on filet mignon or sea scallops before rocking the night out with live entertainment. Neither place is cheap, and the covers are steep. In the end though, nobody complains. 4763 Killington Road, 802-422-6171,www.wobblybarn.net
Advertisement
Advertisement