Hottest Après-Ski Bars (PHOTOS)

Twerk in your ski boots at a Vegas-style club in Lake Tahoe; don furs at a bar fashioned from 20 tons of ice in Queenstown, New Zealand; clink glasses of champagne paired with caviar at Aspen's roving pop-up Oasis Bar; or hug complete strangers while shooting schnapps at Trofana Alm in Austria. From refined to rowdy, we've rounded up 17 bars where you can celebrate post-slopes.
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A happening bar scene is as crucial to a ski town's success as stellar snow conditions. "Skiing is a social sport by nature, but it's the après-ski culture of relaxing with friends and recounting the day's adventures that really makes a ski vacation awesome," says Erica Mueller, director of relations at Colorado's Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Toasting post-shred--no matter language, location, or libation--is universal. And it doesn't matter whether you aced a black diamond mogul, skidded down the bunny hill, or spent the afternoon curled up by the fire. Any and all such daytime activities warrant an invite to lift a glass and kick up your heels as the sun begins to kiss the mountaintops.

Après-ski is a time-tested tradition begun in Telemark, Norway, in the mid-1800s. Back then, it was grog or aquavit shared among friends at skiers' homes. Today, no longer the humble house gathering, wintertime mountain merrymaking is soaring to new elevations.

Twerk in your ski boots at a Vegas-style club in Lake Tahoe, NV; don furs at a bar fashioned from 20 tons of ice in Queenstown, New Zealand; clink glasses of champagne paired with caviar at Aspen, CO's roving pop-up Oasis Bar; or hug complete strangers while shooting schnapps at Trofana Alm in Austria.

From refined to rowdy, we've rounded up 17 bars where you can celebrate post-slopes.

--By Lanee Lee

Oasis Champagne Bar, Aspen, CO
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Taking cues from the roving food truck trend, Oasis pops up in different locations on Aspen Mountain via Snowcat (in 2015, it opens President’s Day weekend). “Because the Oasis may be gone as quickly as it appears, it compels you to experience it, or risk missing the opportunity,” says Ted Mahon, a longtime Aspen ski instructor. Serving Veuve Clicquot champagne and caviar, this posh watering hole broadcasts clues about its new location each weekend on Little Nell’s Twitter/Facebook.

Photo: DANIEL BAYER Public Works
Trofana Alm, Ischgl, Austria
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With more than 40 bars, Ischgl is to après-ski what Ibiza is to spring break. For the heart of the action, head to Trofana Alm, an old barn turned bi-level bar. Revelers sing at the top of their lungs to oompah and Europop songs, down shots of apple schnapps, and dance like no one’s watching. Don’t be surprised if you’re offered a round of drinks—and a bear hug.

Photo courtesy of Trofana Alm
Tio Bob's, Chile
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This rustic slopeside lodge overlooks the Inca Lake and Andes Mountains, a gorgeous panorama accessible to skiers and those who prefer to catch a ride on the chairlift. Grab a table on the snow-covered deck for a two-pisco-sour lunch among the ski pros who come to Portillo for training during North America’s off-season. Uncle Bob’s restaurant is open only in the early afternoon, but the indoor bar stays up ’til midnight.

Photo: Diego Munita
High West Distillery, Park City, UT
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Within a historic Victorian-era house in downtown Park City, High West is the world’s only ski-in, ski-out distillery. Swish in on Park City Mountain Resort’s Quittin’ Time run and take a guided tour that includes a whiskey tasting. Or just head straight to the bar for a potent libation like Dead Man’s Boots of rye, tequila, and ginger beer. High West’s gastro-saloon specialties include local Utah trout, bourbon chili, bison cottage pie, and fresh-baked pretzels with a side of beer-infused cheese.

Photo courtesy of High West Distillery
The Ice Bar at Uley’s Cabin, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO
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Just as tropical resorts have swim-up bars, Crested Butte Mountain has its very own “ski-in” bar. In front of Uley’s Cabin (the on-mountain fine-dining restaurant accessible by sleigh ride in the evenings), The Ice Bar serves up Colorado brews and cocktails like The Breath of God made with locally distilled Montanya rum, beer, cassis, and bitters. Just keep your gloves on; this place really is made of ice with a snow-covered bar top.

Photo: Trent Bona
Bar Gyu+, Niseko, Japan
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Mount Niseko-Annupuri is Japan’s most popular ski destination, and the town of Niseko supports more than 50 bars and restaurants. We’re partial to hard-to-find Gyu Bar, also known as the Fridge Door bar—look for a tiny, red freezer door amid a snowbank, and make sure to duck your head when you enter. Groovy jazz tunes playing from a vintage turntable fill the air. Artfully made concoctions with Japanese whiskey are flowing, and a mix of trendy Europeans and local skiers populate the candlelit tables.

Photo: Glen Claydon Photography
Tea del Vidal, Livigno, Italy
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Located at the base of the Mottolino Mountain gondola lift, this hot spot is hopping until 2 a.m., with a different theme each night. Join the disco party Monday nights or the Latin party with dance instruction Friday nights. Need some liquid courage before shaking your groove thing? Order the bombardino—Italian eggnog served warm—a house specialty allegedly invented at Tea Del Vidal more than 40 years ago.

Photo courtesy of Lungolivigno

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