The art of après ski has come a long way from steaming cups of spiked cocoa. Alpha exertion on the slopes calls for soothing sustenance. A few exemplary venues on our radar raise the bar of après culture so high, we couldn’t resist giving you the rundown. After earning your carbs on black diamonds runs, meet the crème de la crème of the new glacial gastronomy.
High Altitude Haute Cuisine
A weekend at the St. Regis Deer Valley feels like Vanity Fair on Ice. The lobby is a veritable high society catwalk of cutting-edge ski fashion and high-performance gear; you’ll want to bring your Atomic A game. Nothing prompts glee in a powder aficionado’s heart quite like the phrase ski-in/ski-out. Here’s another to get the pulse racing: ski beach. St. Regis Deer Valley’s sparkling “ski beach” boasts chaise lounges encircling fire pits, an infinity pool, cedar barrel Himalayan salt infrared saunas, all overlooking magnificent slopes. Think homemade hot cider alongside gorgeously stringy fondue — nothing takes the edge off sore shins like melted gruyère.
Deer Valley is ground zero for high-rollers and haute luxury, and the Mountain Terrace at St. Regis remains their après ski high temple. Whether you ski in from the Navigator run or ride up the hotel’s insta-famous funicular, you’ll delight in sunset champagne sabering, a ceremony that happens here daily. Cuddle up a cushioned chair with a hot toddy, basking in the toasty glow of the fire garden.
Park City is filled with local artisans and storefronts, but here at the St. Regis Deer Valley, you can sample the town’s thriving maker culture without leaving the lobby. Discover a masterful blend of gin through the hotel’s partnership with Alpine Distilling. With St. Regis Barrel Select Gin, the hotel delights guests from all over the world with a locally made spirit they can only get here. The gin was crafted by Sara Sergent, who, along with her husband Rob, a fourth-generation distiller, founded Alpine Distilling on Park City’s Main Street in 2015. The barrel aged gin is bold and subtle all at once, offering notes of juniper, coriander, cardamom, and angelica. The Sergents are the “first family of start-up spirits”, summoning a Summit County lifestyle that revolves around family, sovereign creativity and kinship community.
Taking the top toque at St. Regis’ J&G Grill, Rachel Wiener wows high profile guests as Executive Chef de Cuisine. As part of the Jean-Georges Vongerichten portfolio, this world-class Five Diamond restaurant is the ideal setting for a rendezvous away from more raucous après. Dive into pillowy scallops seared to exquisite tenderness. Deeper in the fired up protein parade, savor succulent duck and chargrilled buffalo ribeye. Weiner’s mastery with kurobuta pork chops is a revelation, paired with peach chutney and chive blossoms.
Indeed, the 12-acre, 181-room St. Regis literally rises in rarefied air, bringing sophisticated residential style suites, flawless butler service, chef–driven dining and a 7,500-bottle wine vault to the high Wasatch. Cap your après with a dip in the steamy pool, or a massage at the 14,000-square-foot Remède Spa.
Earn Your Heavenly Après
From cozy fireplaces to couture couples massages, a romantic getaway to Edgewood Tahoe knows no bounds. Nestled on Lake Tahoe’s south shore, the hotel opened in 2017 as the preeminent luxury option in Lake Tahoe, nearly 25 years in the making. Edgewood brims with a kind of romance, charm and conviviality that inspires stolen kisses in hushed corners.
Après comforts are written into the magna carta of Edgewood’s fire pits and spellbinding water features, intricately woven into meditative grounds. This is the ideal stay for couples who can’t stand the thought of herding through a maze of kids. After kicking off your ski boots, gather round the fire pit as the sun sets over the Sierra. Edgewood sets out an unbelievable array of après treats; enjoy both classic and nouveau s’mores fixings with a variety of gourmet marshmallow flavors.
Executive Chef Charles Wilson sets the bar for gastro hedonism at Edgewood Tahoe’s three lakefront restaurants. Bistro’s Chicken And Waffles is possibly our all time favorite variation on this dish, and Penn Cove Mussels with House Made Chorizo remains the après bite we still long for to this day. Oxtail Chili is the cult fave at Brooks’ Bar & Deck. At Edgewood Restaurant, go all in for the Study of Mahoney & Irwin Lamb.
If you’re in the mood to get social, the hotel’s laid back take on nightlife suits those tired of busy bars with adrenaline fueled drinks and djs. Edgewood handles entertaining rather well, completely in keeping with their more discerning clientele. The cocktail bar is made for intimate tete-a-tetes over top tier nibbles, with a wine program accented by cocktails that feature the resort’s own small batch bitters.
It’s easy to see why this lakeside property has been a draw since it opened; towering pines and sparkling views make quite an impression on international guests. The biggest selling point? Proximity to Heavenly Mountain. The key ingredient to Edgewood dovetails flawlessly with Heavenly’s most alluring asset: sublime service meets perfect powder. Pure magic lies in the warmth of Edgewood staff and top notch Heavenly ski instructors. What can we say, we like playful, plucky people who truly embody the local vibe.
Mammoth Delights
For those who live for the slopes and Sauvignon Blanc, the celebrated 475-bottle wine list at Jimmy’s Taverna is bound to please. The most diverse cellar in all of Mammoth Lakes compliments the kitchen’s fresh approach to mountain dining. Styled in Aegean seaside themes, the freshest seafood and Greek specialties bring a sun-kissed culinary sensibility to the Sierras. Devout care has gone into maintaining the character of the experience here. Every department over delivers with memorable service that inspires repeat visits.