There’s only one way to take the ski slopes: fast. But there are all sorts of approaches to post-powder R&R. Here, Hemispheres looks at a trio of America’s favorite winter resorts and offers three methods to après-ski—glitzy, old-school, and family-style—at each. There’s something for everyone in the “after”-life.
Telluride, Colorado
Tucked in a box canyon far from the hustle of Colorado’s other ski resorts, highbrow yet rustic Telluride is two destinations in one. America’s only free public-transportation gondola connects the Victorian mining town where Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank to the Alpine-style Mountain Village and its 2,000 acres of skiable terrain. You might bump into one of the many celebrities with vacation homes here (Oprah, Jerry Seinfeld), but play it cool: It’s the Telluride way.
LUXE
At 11,966 feet, the Dolomite hütte–inspired Alpino Vino is North America’s highest restaurant. By day, the tiny wooden cottage is reachable on skis (it’s a short glide downhill from the top of Lift 14); at night, heated snow-coaches whisk diners to a five-course Italian tasting menu experience, complete with the region’s most impressive wine list. Go for a Brunello di Montalcino—the cellar contains bottles from nearly two dozen producers. Tasting menu $150, with $75 and $125 wine pairing options, tellurideskiresort.com
CLASSIC
Down in town, belly up to the original 1897 mahogany and cherrywood bar at the New Sheridan Hotel saloon, one of the oldest watering holes in the West. The setting may inspire you to order a whiskey, but there’s no better place to try the city’s unofficial beverage, the Flatliner, made with vanilla vodka, Baileys, Kahlúa, and espresso. newsheridan.com
FAMILY
Sun Valley, Idaho
Built on the edge of the mining town of Ketchum in 1936, Sun Valley was the world’s first destination ski resort and the home of the first chairlift, which was derived from a device that had been used to load bananas onto rail cars. The mountain instantly began attracting the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, and Ernest Hemingway—a favorite adopted citizen who helped popularize the image of this valley as one of the West’s great outdoorsy getaways.
LUXE
Papa Hemingway ate his last supper in 1961 at Michel’s Christiania, a fine-dining (but verycomfortable) French restaurant in the heart of Ketchum where you can order classics like trout meunière and escargots bourguignonne. Chef-owner Michel Rudigoz is a former U.S. women’s ski team coach, which explains all the memorabilia in the attached Olympic Bar. michelschristiania.com
CLASSIC
There’s nothing fancy about Grumpy’s, a dive bar that turned 40 this year. Known for its 32-ounce beer schooners and hodge-podge decor (vintage beer can–lined walls, a prop dog from There’s Something About Mary), the bar is a favorite among paparazzi-dodging stars like Bruce Springsteen, who has been known to sing a few tunes when he stops in. grumpyssunvalley.com
FAMILY
Après-ski often means getting out of the cold ASAP, but for one of the valley’s most memorable off-slope activities, you’ll need to brave the chill a bit longer. The kids will love a Clydesdale-drawn sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin for hearty mountain staples such as buffalo tenderloin and ruby trout, plus German chocolate cake for dessert. sunvalley.com
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Perched on the edge of Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole has always felt wild. Trappers used the term “hole” to describe the valley’s vertigo-inducing sides, and the resort has used that geological feature to maximum effect. Dubbed “The Big One,” the area boasts America’s biggest vertical drop in ski terrain (more than 4,100 feet), as well as Corbet’s Couloir, a legendarily deranged run that tops many ski-bum bucket lists.
LUXE
When skiers talk about a good powder day, some may be referring to the powdered sugar on the waffles at Corbet’s Cabin. (Remember, après starts early when you’re skiing with kids.) Located at 10,450 feet, atop Rendezvous Peak, this refueling station is reachable by the Aerial Tram and dishes out hot waffles in flavors like the Nutella-topped Italian, the lemon-glazed Englishman, and the peanut butter and smoked bacon–stacked Gateway. Parents can warm up faster by spiking their hot cocoa or coffee with Irish cream, whiskey, or schnapps. jacksonhole.com
CLASSIC
Opened in 1967, the Mangy Moose saloon has attracted performers like Jason Aldean and Brandi Carlile. Grab a table under the antlered taxidermy for a buffalo fillet or trout and chips, paired with locally inspired cocktails (like the Huckleberry Cosmo) or the Tourist Trap, a “shot ski” with four shots of Fireball or Rumple Minze. mangymoose.com
FAMILY
The newest member of chef Gavin Fine’s aptly named Fine Dining Restaurant Group (which includes an ice cream parlor and craft butcher) is Hotel Terra’s Bar Enoteca, a Mediterranean wine and cocktail bar that opened last fall. Small plates such as the wild game sausage and goat cassoulet are perfect for post-slope grazing. hotelterrajacksonhole.com
