Once the skis are off, it’s time to reward yourself with a little fun and relaxation. Connect with your skiing buddies or make new ones and celebrate a great day on the slopes by sipping flights at the brewery, catching speed at the tube park, or getting a facial at the spa. Stash your gear, because the day is far from over. Here are the best apres ski activities in Colorado.
The winter sun can be harsh. Being outside all day on the slopes can be harmful to your skin. Schedule a facial at Keystone Resort’s Spa & Salon to repair any collateral damage. The popular "Ultimate Facial" begins with an instant cooling mask treatment that detoxifies and nourishes, then a dual peel mixture erases fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and rough skin. A trip here makes for a well-deserved ritual that is perfect for men or women.
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You’ve skied all day, but there’s still daylight and you’re not ready to head inside. Go tubing! This hill has four lanes with banked curves, an enclosed conveyor to take you up, a state-of-the-art warming structure and, of course, restrooms. It is well-lit in the evenings, has freshly baked cookies & warm hot chocolate, and provides you with one of the best times you’ll have on the mountain.
Although Copper Mountain is known for its top-notch skiing, the famous Apres Alley in the Center Village draws in quite the crowd on its own. With places to dine, grab a brew or two, enjoy a craft cocktail, or eat a feast, the Center Village Apres Alley has it all! You won’t even notice the winter chill with the warmth from the bonfire, the cozy atmosphere, the buzzing crowd hopping from venue to venue, and more. The fun doesn’t have to stop with live music, giant Jenga, corn hole, ping pong, and shuffle board—just to name a few. The morning, after your apres endeavors, will lead you to Toast & Co, where you can get a hearty breakfast with a mimosa and you can do it all over again.
Refuel from a day of shredding at Vail Ski Resort with this brewery and distillery tour that makes for a “unique happy hour adventure." Take a step away from the resort and sample local artisan beers and craft distilled spirits. Explore the valley with a local guide who will entertain you with insight and information about the tasting locations, historical sites in the area and hidden secrets about the valley. The tour is around four hours from start to finish and provides you with transportation and delicious tacos from Rocky Mountain Tacos.
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A gondola ride followed by a snowcat journey take you to a magical mountaintop restaurant for a five-course dinner. Located at 9,700 feet above sea level, the meal is a fitting climax to an invigorating day of skiing or snowboarding. The fixed-priced fare pays homage to the flavors and traditions of Northern Italy. The ambiance is classic cozy lodge, with a roaring fire, spectacular mountain views and an unfolding starry sky.
With a summit of almost 10,000 feet, skiing at Breckenridge can literally take your breath away. After a tough day on the slopes, treat your lungs to an oxygen boost. Sessions here are 15, 30 or 45 minutes at varying prices. Sit at the bar, connect to the oxygen stations and breathe in comfort. Each session includes an aromatherapy fragrance. While you’re there, grab a coffee, tea, hot chocolate or a “Dr. Smoothie” smoothie. Also on the premises is an Internet Cafe where patrons who need to access the internet can have a go on one of their advanced computers.
The beer made here, one of the highest and largest microbreweries in the state, is made with premium malts, hops and yeasts, plus water from the Rocky Mountain snow melt. Known for its award-winning beers with names like Face Down Brown and Whacked Out Wheat, the tasting room is a great spot, after the boots are unbuckled and the skis are put away, to enjoy one of the many beers on draft. Or get a flight, and taste a few.
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Crested Butte Mountain Resort bills itself as Colorado’s “Last Great Ski Town”. It’s rich in history and short on crowds. Smack dab in the middle of the town’s historic section is this “sunny place for shady people.” Food, drinks and nightly entertainment are its strengths. The deck, on a sunny day, is filled with the warmth of friendly people and the Colorado sun. Burgers are, considered by many, to be the best in town. Be sure to order the hand-cut French fries.
This open-seating outdoor patio at the base of Aspen Mountain can be seen from halfway up the mountain, calling to skiers to come, sit and enjoy the fresh, mountain air, watch the passing parade and partake of some good food and drink. Depending on when your legs give out, you can have lunch or a late afternoon snack and a cocktail. DJs and live music keep the place hopping. Do not miss the truffle fries, paired with a double cheeseburger.
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