Image courtesy of Stein Eriksen Lodge
Here's something I learned after years of visiting ski resorts: I might make the JV team on the slopes, but I can achieve varsity-level excellence when it comes to apres. Sure, you’re in the mountains, so skiing is the main event. But at the end of the day (or after lunch, no one’s judging), the real magic can happen when the boots come off.
Après-ski culture has evolved way beyond tired legs and lukewarm beer. Think more like champagne-spraying lunch parties, craft cocktails at 9,000 feet, and upscale comfort food. It's where strangers become friends, where stories get better with each retelling, and where you remember why you came to the mountains in the first place.
Whether you carve fresh powder or stick to a scenic chairlift ride, these are the must-visit spots that come alive on winter afternoons.
Jackson Hole: rugged meets refined
Image courtesy of Caldera House
Jackson Hole doesn't do anything halfway, and that includes the après scene. After everyone's done conquering the Tetons, The Handle Bar at Four Seasons becomes the main attraction. Its slopeside location features mountain views, craft beers, and that satisfying buzz that comes from a day well spent, whether that involves skis or not.
Where to stay in Jackson Hole
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole: This is where you want to be if you're serious about both the mountain and the scene. Ski-in/out access means you're steps from both the slopes and The Handle Bar, and the rooms strike that perfect balance between Western authenticity and Four Seasons polish. The spa is excellent for when you've overdone it - on the slopes or the nachos.
When you book Four Seasons with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities.
Caldera House: For a more intimate vibe, Caldera House feels like the most sophisticated ski house you've ever seen. Full kitchens, fireplaces, and a members-only feel that never crosses into pretentious. Tip: the hot tubs with Teton views are basically mandatory.
Fora Perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Aspen: lunch with a view
Image courtesy of Hotel Jerome
If you're going to Aspen and you skip Cloud 9, you've missed the assignment. This mid-mountain spot has turned lunch into a full-contact sport. Book the late seating (trust me on this), aim for weekends, and prepare for champagne-spraying, table-dancing chaos at 10,700 feet. It's completely absurd and absolutely essential.
Where to stay in Aspen
The Little Nell: Aspen's only ski-in/out hotel sits right at the base of Ajax, which means you're in the thick of everything. The staff actually knows your name, the wine program is serious, and even the bar at Element 47 serves the kind of food that makes you cancel your dinner plans. It's luxe Aspen without the stuffiness.
Fora Perks include a $100 food and beverage credit, a $45 daily breakfast credit per person, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Jerome, Auberge Collection: This historic hotel has been a fixture in Aspen since 1889. The property honors its mining-town roots while delivering thoroughly modern and entirely chic comforts. The J-Bar is an institution, with equal parts locals and visitors, all there for proper cocktails and that classic Aspen energy.
Fora Reserve perks include a $100 hotel credit, a $60 daily breakfast credit, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Vail & Beaver Creek: après-ski for food-lovers
Image courtesy of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail
Vail does European village vibes better than it has any right to, and the après scene reflects that range. At Vendetta's in Vail Village, it's all about casual, carb-loading perfection—pizzas that refuel without any fuss, often ordered next to a handsome member of the ski patrol. But if you want next-level nachos, Red Lion is your spot. Come hungry, bring friends.
Over at Beaver Creek, the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch has turned into the après destination. It's buzzy without being chaotic, refined without being boring, meaning it’s in that sweet spot where everyone from families to après veterans can find their corner.
Where to stay in Vail & Beaver Creek
Four Seasons Resort Vail: Right in Vail Village with ski-in/out access, this property delivers that Four Seasons reliability with genuine mountain warmth. Tavernetta, which opened last season, has some of the best Italian in the village, and there’s a year-round, outdoor heated pool for indulgent January swims.
When you book Four Seasons with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch: This is Beaver Creek's crown jewel, and for good reason. The ski-in/out access is seamless, but it's really the après scene and the overall vibe that set it apart. Cozy but with a livelier vibe as the day goes on, with that Ritz-Carlton service that never misses.
Fora's Marriott STARS partner perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Sonnenalp Vail: Right in Vail Village, this Bavarian-inspired hotel sits steps from the slopes, great restaurants, and shops. Guests love the spa, outdoor pool, and buzzy lobby vibes plus the classic fondue. Fireplaces, balconies, and plenty of amenities make it a great spot for both couples and families.
Fora Perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Park City: local (and high) spirits
Image courtesy of Pendry Park City
Park City knows what it's doing. This is a destination that's been in the ski game since the 1960s, where Main Street has the authenticity of a true town but the amenities to cater to an apres crowd. High West Distillery, Utah's first legal distillery since Prohibition, is the move here. The distillery sits up in the mountains, but you can ski down to the saloon in town via Quit’n Time (appropriately named). Plan your lift shifts appropriately to avoid closing time at quitting time.
Where to stay in Park City
Pendry Park City: Ski-in/out at Canyons Village with a cool design that ditches the alpine clichés. The rooftop pool and bar situation is unmatched in the area, the spa is legitimately world-class, and the residences feel like staying in the most beautiful modern mountain home you've ever seen.
Fora Perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Stein Eriksen Lodge: Norwegian elegance meets Utah powder. This place has been a Park City institution since the '80s, and it still delivers that perfect combination of European sophistication and Western hospitality. The rooms are gorgeous, the service is thoughtful, and you're right in the middle of Deer Valley. Heads up to snowboarders: Deer Valley is a ski-only mountain.
Fora Perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Read more about U.S. ski destinations here.