Best Colorado Après-Ski Food Spots & Mountain Dining
Colorado has some of the best après-ski food spots in the world. After a long day skiing the Rocky Mountains, nothing beats hot comfort food and cold drinks with friends. These mountain restaurants serve everything from loaded nachos to craft beer in cozy spots right off the slopes.
This guide covers the top food spots across Colorado's ski resorts. You'll find classic pub food, fancy mountain dining, and everything in between. Whether you want cheap eats or fine dining, Colorado's après-ski scene has you covered.
What Makes Great Après-Ski Food
Classic Comfort Foods That Warm You Up
The best après-ski food is hot, filling, and easy to share. Popular choices include nachos, wings, burgers, and bowls of chili because these dishes warm you up fast after being cold all day.
Most skiers want food that's ready quickly. Portions are generous, the service is quick, and the atmosphere is cozy at the best spots. Nobody wants to wait an hour for food when they're tired and hungry.
Foods That Pair Well With Drinks
Great après-ski spots know that food and drinks go together. Arapahoe Basin's 6th Alley Bar & Grill serves bacon Bloody Marys that pair perfectly with nachos or pork brisket. Salty, shareable foods work best because they make you want to drink more and stay longer.
Local Colorado Flavors
Many Colorado ski spots use local ingredients. Colorado is known for its lean and healthy bison meat , which is lower in fat but still packed with flavor. You'll also find dishes made with Colorado lamb, which is known for its tender texture and mild, rich flavor.
Top Après-Ski Food Spots by Region
Vail Valley Food Scene
The Red Lion in Vail
The Red Lion is a Vail icon that's been around forever – 61 years, to be precise. It opened its doors in February 1963, just a few months after the lifts first started spinning at Vail Ski Resort. This historic spot has everything you need for great après-ski.
The food menu keeps things simple but satisfying. There's nothing fancy about the food – think: nachos, onion rings, bowls of chili – but the portions are generous, the service is quick, and the atmosphere is cozy. Their famous loaded nachos are huge and perfect for sharing.
Live music starts right when the lifts close, making this spot come alive in the afternoon. The restaurant provides live entertainment that starts as soon as the lifts close and goes on all evening.
The George Restaurant & Pub
Few spots near Vail Ski Resort offer a better happy hour than the George. From 3 to 6 p.m. daily, get you-call-it drinks for $6, starters and pub grub for $12, plus entrees like filet mignon and plum duck for just $22. This is one of the best deals in expensive Vail.
Breckenridge Dining Options
TBar at Peak 8
TBar is Breckenridge's "on-mountain après hot spot," located at the base of Peak 8, next to Rocky Mountain Superchair and BreckConnect Gondola. The location makes it perfect for one last drink before heading home.
The mountain views are amazing from their big patio. You'll also get stunning mountain views from a massive slopeside patio. They serve classic bar food and have a full bar with creative cocktails.
Downstairs at Eric's
Located in downtown Breckenridge, Downstairs at Eric's is a family-friendly sports bar complete with dozens of flat-screens and arcade games. Casual comfort food is its specialty, with wings, pizza and burgers on the menu.
This spot is perfect for families or groups who want to watch sports while eating. It also has 30 beers on tap and 48 options by the bottle, as well as cocktails and wine.
Gold Pan Saloon
The Gold Pan retains the longest continuous liquor license west of the Mississippi and has been serving miners and skiers for over 100 years. The walls are covered with old photos that tell the story of Breckenridge.
Mi Casa Restaurant & Cantina
Right near the base of Peak 9, Mi Casa offers fresh Mexican food and the best happy hour in Breckenridge . Stop by the cantina from 3-5 p.m. everyday for the best happy hour specials in Breckenridge. Après ski never tasted so fantastic at such unbeatable prices, and who doesn't love free chips and salsa?!
The restaurant has been serving families since 1981. Their steak tacos and hand-filled rellenos are local favorites. The kids menu makes it perfect for families coming off the slopes together.
Steamboat Springs Favorites
TBar Steamboat
This "5-star dive bar," as it describes itself, is located in an old ski patrol building right next to the slopes – so you can clip out of your skis and waddle right over at the end of the day. The vibe is laid-back and fun.
Refuel with hearty-yet-creative bar food, like a peanut butter, bacon and banana panini, or crawfish mac and cheese. These creative twists on comfort food make TBar special.
Slopeside Grill
Slopeside Grill offers a classic après-ski experience at the base of Steamboat mountain. Think shotskis, warm libations and cocktail pitchers, plus big plates of pub classics including wings, burgers and artisan pies.
As well as beer, cocktails, and wine, the restaurant offers a menu of pub classics, including wings, burgers, and pizzas. And you can enjoy all of this on the heated patio.
Taco Beast
This is something you won't find anywhere else. The roaming snowcat hits the slopes every Thursday to Monday (weather permitting) with a menu of Mexican sodas and tacos. Expect to see Colorado-fied twists like elk chorizo. This unique, on-mountain roaming snowcat serves four types of trail tacos. You can snag food and drinks five days a week, from 11am – 2pm (or until sold out).
Aspen and Snowmass Dining
Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro
Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro – just Cloud Nine for short – has earned quite the reputation for its over-the-top après scene. Located on the slopes of Aspen Highlands, this Swiss Alps-inspired eatery is the place to go for caviar, Champagne, fondue and serious party vibes.
This is the fanciest après-ski spot in Colorado. There's dancing, singing, Champagne spraying and general debauchery (and, if you're lucky, you might spot a celebrity or two). You need reservations and can only get there on skis.
Base Camp Bar and Grill
Right in the heart of Snowmass Village, the casual après-ski spot of Base Camp Bar and Grill features all the classic American snack foods (think chicken wings, sliders, and cast-iron mac and cheese). What's most impressive is the restaurant's beer menu, which features over 30 local brews.
Winter Park Area
Hideaway Park Brewery
Hideaway Park Brewery is a casual taproom located just a few minutes from the slopes. The scene is super mellow and laid-back, with beanie-clad skiers and riders chit-chatting or playing games as they slowly sip their beers.
The brewery focuses on great beer rather than food. There's no food service here, but Fraser Valley Hot Dog next door serves up super tasty brats, burgers and sandwiches. This combo works perfectly.
Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin)
6th Alley Bar & Grill
Arapahoe Basin's 6th Alley Bar & Grill, located in the base area, offers indoor and outdoor dining with mountain views and some of the best après ski atmosphere you'll find in Colorado.
Their bacon Bloody Mary is world-famous. This is an après ski item – or a breakfast beverage – that draws a crowd from far and wide. Order one with a double pour of Elevate bacon vodka for a drink of après champions.
The Beach
The real party happens in the parking lot, aka The Beach. It's a true BYOB tailgate scene, complete with gas grills, cornhole, camp chairs, and dogs. This is the most laid-back après-ski experience in Colorado.
You don't even need a lift ticket to hang out here, making it perfect for non-skiers who want to join the fun. People used to camp out overnight to get a spot on The Beach. But, as you can imagine, things got a little crazy, so the ski area now requires advanced reservations for free.
Most Popular Après-Ski Foods in Colorado
Nachos: The King of Ski Food
Nachos are the most popular après-ski food for good reason. They're hot, loaded with cheese, and perfect for sharing. The Red Lion is known for its "world famous red lion nachos" that have been satisfying hungry skiers for decades.
This winter I had a few nacho platters worth mentioning including the man-hole-sized nachos from the Foggy Goggle Bar at Seven Spring Resort and the Mountain Nachos topped with chicken. The best nachos are huge, loaded with toppings, and come out hot and bubbly.
Buffalo Wings: A Close Second
If I had to pick a 1A to Nachos 1, an equally popular après ski food is, of course, Buffalo Wings. In fact, they are often my go-to lunch choice when taking a break from skiing no matter what resort I am at.
Wings work great because they're easy to eat with your hands and go perfectly with beer. Big plates of pub classics including wings, burgers and artisan pies are standard at most Colorado ski spots.
Green Chili: A Colorado Classic
Colorado's version of green chili is spicy, savory, and packed with flavor. The dish usually includes pork, green chiles, tomatoes, and tomatillos, slow-cooked into a rich stew. Pueblo green chiles are especially prized for their deep flavor and heat , making this local favorite warm you up from the inside out.
Burgers and Comfort Food
This season, Aspen Snowmass set out with a mission to bring the best of the best in burgers to its on-mountain guests. The resort rolled out seven signature burgers across its four mountains featuring local, grass-fed beef patties from Nieslanik Ranch in Carbondale.
Craft Beer and Local Spirits
Several ski areas have partnered with local breweries to create custom-made beers, perfect for relaxing after a long day of skiing and riding. Highlights include Loveland Ski Area's Bernese Mountain Brown Ale by Guanella Pass Brewery, Cooper's Kerrigan Irish Stout by Dillon Dam Brewery, Monarch's Throwback Red Ale by Elevation Beer Company.
Budget-Friendly Après-Ski Options
Happy Hour Deals
Many spots offer great happy hour deals from 3-6 PM. From 3 to 6 p.m. daily, get you-call-it drinks for $6, starters and pub grub for $12 at The George in Vail.
Mi Casa in Breckenridge has the best happy hour deals in town with half-price drinks and free chips and salsa. Their location near Peak 9 makes it easy to walk over after skiing.
Dive Bars with Character
This locals' haunt is not one of those places where you spend a mortgage payment on dinner. There's no food, but probably the cheapest drinks you'll find in Telluride at Silver Dollar Saloon.
The dive bar scene in Colorado ski towns offers character and cheap drinks. These spots focus on cold beer and good times rather than fancy food or expensive cocktails.
Special Dining Experiences
On-Mountain Restaurants
Some restaurants can only be reached by skiing, making them extra special. There's no finer way to après than to ski right up to the restaurant. Gorrono Ranch in Telluride offers on-mountain dining during ski season.
Not only does Arapahoe Basin's Il Rifugio sit at 12,456 feet and carry the distinction of the highest restaurant in North America, the bistro also serves excellent antipasto and charcuterie boards along with panini and salads.
Mountaintop Experiences
Every Friday and Saturday, Winter Park offers a unique alpenglow après ski experience at Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge, complete with cocktails, live music, and incredible views at 10,700 feet. These special events combine great food with amazing mountain views.
Family-Friendly Après-Ski Spots
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Many Colorado après-ski spots welcome families. Mi Casa has been known as a top family restaurant in Breckenridge since 1981. They offer a kids menu and casual atmosphere that works well for tired families.
This sports bar includes dozens of flat screens and arcade games at Downstairs at Eric's, making it perfect for families who want entertainment while eating.
Outdoor Patios for All Ages
Many spots have heated outdoor patios where families can enjoy mountain views together. Our outdoor patio seating in the summer offers great views and unbeatable weather after another beautiful adventure in Breckenridge.
Craft Cocktails and Mountain Bars
High-End Cocktail Scene
Colorado's après-ski scene isn't just beer and wings. The Gambit Bar features cocktails like the Carrington Club with vodka, tequila, salted preserved blackberries, amaro, and an egg white sour foam, topped with edible rice paper art.
The Gothic Line cocktail at the Hythe's Revel Lounge was voted People's Choice Best Cocktail at the 2023 Taste of Vail. A blend of local 10th Mountain rye and brandy, pineapple syrup, and coffee-washed Pilla apéritif.
Unique Mountain Drinking Experiences
Some places offer special drinks you can't find anywhere else. The elegant Bachelor's Lounge features delicious cocktails, curated wines, fine spirits and, of course, cigars. Even rare, hard-to-find cigars, infused mini-cigars and totally exclusive cigars that you can't get anywhere else at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch.
Seasonal Considerations
Peak Season vs Off-Season
The best après-ski spots get very crowded during peak times like holidays and powder days. U.S. ski resorts logged 61.5 million visits in 2024-25 , the second highest showing for American resorts. Colorado ski areas hosted 13.8 million skier visits for the 2024-25 ski season, marking the third-busiest season ever.
Plan ahead during busy times and consider making reservations where possible. Some places like Cloud Nine require reservations even for après-ski.
Spring Skiing Food Scene
Since A-Basin is located at 13,050 feet above sea level, it takes a lot longer for the snow to melt – so it's not uncommon for people to keep skiing here well into June. The spring skiing scene on The Beach is amazing, with people breaking out their bathing suits, vintage '80s ski onesies, hula hoops and beach balls.
Spring après-ski has a different vibe with more outdoor parties and BBQ-style food.
Tips for Great Après-Ski Dining
What to Wear
Most après-ski spots welcome you in your ski gear. Leave your ski gear on and sit outside, where you can watch people heading home for the day at many casual spots.
For fancier places, you might want to change out of ski boots into regular shoes for comfort.
Making Reservations
Popular spots fill up fast, especially on powder days and weekends. Cloud Nine is so popular that you'll need to make a reservation—yes, even for après.
Call ahead for large groups at any restaurant. Mi Casa offers group dining and can handle parties from 20-200 people with advance planning.
Timing Your Visit
People usually start coming off the slopes for the day around 2pm, though there's no set start or end time for après. Sometimes, après just blends right into dinner or late-night bar-hopping.
The best atmosphere usually happens right when the lifts close around 3:30-4:00 PM. This is when places are most lively and full of energy from the day's adventures.
Getting Around to Après-Ski Spots
Resort Transportation
Many ski resorts offer free shuttles between the slopes and nearby restaurants. Parking can be tricky, but the brewery is located right next to a bus stop, and public transit is free in Winter Park.
Mi Casa's location near Peak 9 makes it easy to walk from the slopes. Many restaurants in Keystone , Dillon , and Silverthorne are also within walking distance of ski areas.
Driving Considerations
Remember that alcohol and high altitude don't mix well. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that people traveling to high altitudes from lower elevations "do not drink alcohol or do heavy exercise for at least the first 48 hours after you arrive".
Plan for designated drivers or use resort shuttles and rideshare services.
Final Thoughts
Colorado's après-ski food scene offers something for everyone, from cheap dive bar wings to fancy mountain dining. The best spots combine great food, cold drinks, and that special mountain atmosphere that makes skiing in Colorado so memorable.
Whether you're looking for the best restaurant in Breckenridge or a quick bite after skiing, Colorado's ski resorts deliver amazing food experiences. The combination of comfort food, craft drinks, and mountain views creates the perfect end to any ski day.
From loaded nachos at The Red Lion to craft cocktails in Vail Village, these après-ski spots show why Colorado is ranked as having the best ski resort region for the après-ski experience worldwide . The food is just as important as the skiing when it comes to the complete Colorado mountain experience.
Plan your next ski trip around these amazing food spots, and don't forget to make reservations for large groups. The memories you make sharing great food and drinks with friends after a perfect powder day will last long after the snow melts.
