Whether you’re a powder hound in need of a little extra liquid courage before heading off-piste, or a slope-averse lodge loiterer seeking to kill some time while the family carves up the mountain, this libation lineup offers a little something for everyone. Curated by the Salt Lake magazine staff and contributors, here are our picks for on-the-hill refreshments.
Salt Lake Magazine’s Favorite Aprés-Ski Sips
Avrey Evans, Managing Editor
What I’m Drinking: The 7452 Bloody Mary at St. Regis, Deer Valley Resort
One Cool Thing: Named in reference to the hotel’s altitude, this zesty brunch favorite is served at multiple locations throughout the St. Regis property—though my favorite is inside the slopeside lounge, The Vintage Room. In place of the typical soggy bacon and predictable Spanish olive garnish, the 7452 Bloody is topped with a sexy blend of black lava salt and wasabi-celery espuma.
Melissa Fields, Outdoors Writer
What I’m Drinking: Espresso Martini from The Aerie Lounge, Snowbird Ski Resort
One Cool Thing: This festive sip is garnished with a dusting of cinnamon in the shape of the Snowbird wings. It’s the perfect pick-me-up after a day of skiing. Also, the view from the Aerie Lounge is incredible. While you sip, you can watch the alpine glow light up Snowbird’s Peruvian Gulch.
Chelsea Rushton, Art Director
What I’m Drinking: A Boomerang at the Alta Peruvian Bar, Alta Ski Resort (affectionately known by locals as The P-Dog).
One Cool Thing: I used to work at Alta, and there was nothing better than hanging out at the P-Dog with coworkers after a long day at the office. The bar itself has serious Grandma’s-basement energy—in the best possible way. Think: wood paneling, well-worn (but comfortable) sofas, a cozy fireplace and years of history you can feel the moment you walk in. Add in the beautiful mountain views of Wildcat and Collins, while sipping a little boozy cider and you’ve got yourself the ultimate Utah après-ski experience.
Jaime Winston, Ogden Correspondent
What I’m Drinking: Märzen Style Fest Lager at Top of Main Brew Pub, Park City
One Cool Thing: While in Park City, enjoying Sundance, the winter scenery or ski slopes, I recommend heading to Top of Main Brew Pub and getting cans of this malty brew to go. After you’ve done all the things outdoors, they’re the perfect treat for unwinding in your hotel room.
Darby Doyle, Food Writer
What I’m Drinking: Bourbon Maple Cider at Molly Green’s, Brighton Resort
One Cool Thing: On a blustery day, there’s nothing better than settling in by the fireplace at Molly Green’s for some loaded nacho fries, a round (or three) of drinks with friends and enjoying the view out the big A-frame windows. Molly’s bourbon maple cider is like a boozy dessert in a glass, with a nice kick of spice from ginger liqueur and a dusting of crushed black pepper to balance it all out.
Luis Henriques, Production Manager
What I’m Drinking: Uinta Brighton IPA at Molly Greens, Brighton Resort
One Cool Thing: While everyone is flying down the mountain, I’m working on my form at the lodge, beer in hand, ready with a drink for friends when they come back inside. As a Utah transplant, my go-to is whatever Uinta’s seasonal beer happens to be, both to support local and to blend in with the locals.
Jeremy Pugh, Editor in-Chief
What I’m Drinking: The EBS Martini at Edgar’s Après in Snow Park Lodge, Deer Valley Resort
One Cool Thing: By far the unflashiest bar at Deer Valley, Edgar’s Après is tucked into a corner on the top floor of the Snow Park lodge. The cozy bar is named after Deer Valley’s founder, Edgar Bloom Stern, the eldest son of Edgar Bloom Stern Sr. The senior Stern was a board member of the Sears & Roebuck corporation, among other fortune-making endeavors. The younger Stern came west and invested heavily in real estate, notably in the land on which he founded Deer Valley. The EBS martini is the bar’s signature drink and is nothing more than a Beefeater’s Gin Martini, with a whisper of vermouth and a twist. Served up, it was Edgar’s favorite tipple after a day surveying his realm.
I like to sip and wonder if the senior Stern knew Alvah Curtis Roebuck, who sold his shares in the Sears Corporation in 1895 but still hung around the office until he died in 1948. I’m weird that way.
Lydia Martinez, Food Writer
What I’m Drinking: Boulevardier at Alpine Distilling Park City Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Park City
One Cool Thing: Nothing like an Alpine Distilling award-winning whiskey swap in a Negroni to make a Boulevardier. The Park City Social Aid & Pleasure Club is just small enough that you don’t have to yell to have a conversation and just swanky enough to feel like you’re getting the true après-ski experience. This cocktail is served with smoked bourbon pecans for a little post-ski nibble before dinner.
Kimmy Hammons, Graphic Designer
What I’m Drinking: Mini bottles of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
One Cool Thing: When hitting the slopes this winter, sometimes a little kick of spiced rum helps give me the liquid courage to take on the unknown…and since it is always unknown how long I’ll be up there I find sneaking a mini bottle of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum into my snow coat one of the best ways to keep my spirits up, even after I’ve fallen face down in the snow a few times.
Heather Hayes, Editor at-Large
What I’m Drinking: Muddled Mule Mocktail at Snowpine Gulch Pub, Alta Ski Area.
One Cool Thing: After a day chasing turns through Baldy Chutes and Ballroom Bowl at Alta, I love warming up by the fire at Snowpine Lodge with this crisp and tangy mix of muddled blackberry, fresh lime, rosemary syrup and ginger beer. It hits that perfect après-ski note—a bright, refreshing contrast to frozen toes and face shots on the mountain.
Mariah Maynes, Digital Editor
What I’m Drinking: The Stowe at High West Saloon, Park City
One Cool Thing: The cocktail isn’t just the perfect aprés-ski whiskey drink; it also happens to be inspired by Stowe, an iconic East Coast ski resort known to have a history of bootlegging and maple syrup consumption. While I have yet to visit the Vermont slopes (one day), I feel like this drink is everything I’ve heard about the area summed up into a tasty glass. Plus, it’s a great choice after a day of ripping down groomers over at Deer Valley.
Related: Snowbird Opens New On-Mountain Restaurant, The Nest
Get the latest on Salt Lake nightlife, and find all our Food and Drink coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.
