A look at the top New England aprés-ski bars

The Foggy Goggle, at Sunday River, has live music every Friday and Saturday through ski season (Sunday River photo)

There’s nothing like a cold beer (or refreshing non-alcoholic beverage) after a day on the hill. Here are a few of the best aprés-ski bars in New England:

Zip’s Pub, Cranmore | While it is located at the base of Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, N.H., Zip’s Pub often is filled with locals and visitors telling stories about their ski day, regardless of which resort (or backcountry zone) they spent it in.

Wobbly Barn, Killington | Renowned in the Northeast for it’s aprés-ski scene, the Wobbly Barn is actually a hybrid steakhouse/nightclub built from repurposed old barns found throughout New England. Killington has a reputation for having a lively nightlife, and the Wobbly Barn is the can’t-miss epicenter of the party.

Widowmaker, Sugarloaf | Located on top of the base lodge at Sugarloaf, Widowmaker has undergone renovations for the 2019-20 ski season and will now have an outdoor loft deck and a relocated bar and stage. The bar features live entertainment on Saturday nights and offers 16 locally brewed beers on tap. 

Dover Bar and Grill, Mount Snow | The Dover Bar and Grill, or “D-Bags” as the locals call it, is a dive bar at Mount Snow that serves food until 2 a.m. The bar is filled with pool and foosball tables, cheap drinks and even has a wall covered in confiscated employee name tags from those who dared to wear them into the bar — an infringement punishable by said employee buying the entire bar a round.

Matterhorn, Stowe | The Matterhorn is often the first stop once the lifts close, with its convenient ski-to location at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort. It makes for a great stop between your last run of the day and the car. 

One Love Brewing, Loon | Originally located in Dover, N.H., One Love Brewing moved to a historic paper mill at the base of Loon Mountain in Lincoln in January 2015. The establishment holds a number of events throughout the year, from trivia nights and live music to screenings of the latest ski and snowboard edits. 

Red Parka Pub, Glen | While it isn’t at a specific ski resort, the Red Parka Pub near North Conway, N.H., is a quintessential ski bar for anyone enjoying any of the resorts around the Mount Washington Valley. Old license plates from around the country and vintage skis line the walls, creating the perfect environment for locals and out-of-towners alike to gather after a day of skiing. Later at night, you might even see a few people hit the dance floor.

General Stark’s Pub, Mad River Valley | Mad River Glen is renowned in the Northeast for rowdy, ungroomed powder days and the die-hard skiers the resort draws. But General Stark’s Pub — located at the base of the mountain — also has quite the reputation for its aprés ski, where locals gather to enjoy Vermont-brewed craft beers and tell stories about their deepest days.

Woodstock Inn & Brewery | Boasting four epic pubs — the Main Bar, Tap Room, Brew Pub and Dam Bar — this hotspot will quench your thirst. The food, nightlife and lodging make this ideally located haven a skier’s dream.

Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington | The Pickle Barrel has four bars and two stages throughout it’s three levels, making it a premiere spot to party at New England’s most popular resort for aprés ski. The Barrel offers live music and entertainment all season and a shuttle service so you don’t have to worry about driving at the end of a long night of revelry.

Foggy Goggle, Sunday River  | The Foggy Goggle, located at Sunday River’s base lodge, has a deck area perfect for enjoying a beer with a slopeside view after a day of shredding. The bar has live music every Friday and Saturday through ski season, and offers midweek food and drink specials.