Just like after a day of hiking, a day of snowboarding calls for a drink, and Colorado has got some of the most beautiful bars and restaurants in the world for a day of leisurely aprés ski dining and drinking. Whether it be rustic cabins tucked away on mountain sides or cozy string-lit patios surrounded by snow-dappled trees, the ambience in Colorado’s resorts are not to be missed. So stay a while, put up your tired feet, and sip and snack on some of Colorado’s finest at these 7 cozy restaurants, perfect for an aprés ski drink.
1. The View at Mountain Lodge, Telluride
You can find some of the most sweeping panoramic views at this cozy, A-line cabin restaurant. They’ve even got an aprés ski menu that includes small or hearty plates and drinks, like Smash Burgers, Ricotta and local bread, and Elk Chili. Don’t forget to wash it down with a glass of wine, an ale, or aperol spritz.
Where: 457 Mountain Village Blvd, Telluride, CO 81435
2. Bar Harriet, Aspen
This speakeasy, newly re-imagined and located beside Hotel Jerome in the basement of the Aspen Times building is one of the most iconic in the city. Named after the building developer’s wife, Harriet, and known for their Avant Garde approach, their cocktails are vibrant, bold, and exciting, and their small plates always pair perfectly on their prix fix menus, “the Earnest” and “the Soiree.”
Where: 314 E Hyman Ave #101, Aspen, CO 81611
3. Altezza at the Peaks, Telluride
One of Telluride’s most gorgeous restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you a stunning mountainside panoramic view of the slopes you just skied. Take a seat at the bar for a menu of specialty cocktails and small plates, like short rib sliders or truffle cheese fries, or stay for dinner and get Colorado Trout or Prosciutto, Sage, and Pecorino-Stuffed Chicken. Altezza is located inside The Peaks Resort and Spa.
Where: 136 Country Club Dr, Telluride, CO 81435
4. Timber Room, Telluride
The Timber Room is the perfect place to enjoy a whisky-forward drink after a long day at the slopes. Enjoy a romantic fondue for 2 or, if you’re really hungry, order yourself an entree like their 32oz Dry-Aged Buffalo Tomahawk. If you want to step out into the brisk evening, you can do so in their heated outdoor patio where you can sip on a hot seasonal beverage like their Timber Toddy with orange and clove-infused bourbon, grand marnier, honey, and hot water.
Where: 568 Mountain Village Blvd, Mountain Village, CO 81435
5. Steakhouse No. 316, Aspen
Be transported back to the roaring 20s at this beautiful and elegantly styled restaurant, Steakhouse No. 316. One of Aspen’s best fine-dining experiences that includes steaks as big as your head, seared to perfection, paired alongside signature drinks. High quality spirits are paired with elevated ingredients, like their High and Mighty, which has Monkey 47 gin, Cocchi Chinato, and St George Bruto Americano, or their La Flama Blanca that has Dobel Diamante aged tequila, Jalapeno, passion fruit, peach, and tahin.
Where: 316 E Hopkins Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
6. Swiss Chalet, Vail
A rustic cabin that serves authentic Austrian and Swiss food, so you can pretend you’ve just scaled the Swiss Alps. From pepper steak to schnitzel to their fondue, which we highly recommend trying in either their meat broth or their raclette cheese versions, with pairs with different vegetables and meats to choose from for dipping. For something extra decadent to end the night, try their chocolate fondue for dessert and pair it with a bottle of wine for an aprés ski experience like no other, all set inside a gorgeous, rustic dining room.
Where: 20 Vail Rd, Vail, CO 81657
7. WYLD, Vail
Vail is one of Colorado’s can’t miss destinations for skiing, with world class ski resorts and a Bavarian-style fairy tale-esque village for lodging. But they’ve also got the Taste of Vail festival, which celebrates their culinary scene in a way that you might not have had the chance to experience yet. While Vail has a variety of different bars to choose from, we couldn’t help but highlight WYLD at the Ritz Carlton near Beaver Creek. The string-lit patio is the perfect mountainside aprés ski destination with cozy lounge seating, magical string lights, and cozy fire pits. Their menu reflects their dedication to the terrain around them with local ingredients, bold styles of cooking, and regional dishes.
Where: 0130 Daybreak Ridge Rd, Avon, CO 81620