The Best Après-Ski Around NYC
For some, turning in to their curated vacation home to relax is the ideal post-ski activity. But for the true ski warriors, après ski might be the most exciting part of the day! Join the ski socialites for fun après ski near NYC and celebrate a successful run down the region’s top ski slopes.
What is Après Ski?
The winter fun doesn’t stop after reaching the bottom of the ski slope. Après ski is inspired by European traditions for socializing with drinks, food, or relaxation after skiing. It’s the perfect way to recap the shreds and the falls and plan which slope you’ll descend on the next ski day.
With ski season in full effect for Upstate New York, we’ve picked out popular venues where you’re sure to rub elbows with other skiers—perhaps friendly faces you saw earlier on the slopes. Add a stop to one of these local hotspots to your itinerary before retreating to your vacation rental to end the day.
West Kill Brewing
- Address: 2173 Spruceton Rd, West Kill, NY
- Website: westkillbrewing.com
Ranked as one of the best beers to warm up during the winter by Thrillist, West Kill Brewing is the perfect stop after hitting the slopes. Wrap your cold hands around a bowl of homemade soup and order a few rounds of their in-house brews to unwind.
This brewing company is just a short drive from popular ski slopes at Belleayre Mountain and Hunter Mountain. It sits on 127 acres of farmland where many of its ingredients are grown. Experience craft spirits brewed from mountain water and combined with yeast from Spruceton Valley and other flavors picked from the farm.
The fire pit will keep you warm while sitting on the outdoor patio and taking in the surrounding mountain views.
Cooper’s Daughter Spirits
- Address: 284 NY-23, Claverack, NY
- Website: coopersdaughter.com/cocktailgarden
Join other skiers fresh off the slopes in the year-round cocktail garden at Cooper’s Daughter Spirits. This historic farm has transformed into a haven for skiers during the winter looking for delicious drinks and great company.
Kick-off with an aperitif while mulling over which flavors to get in your tasting flight. The signature Black Walnut Bourbon is made from the onsite Black Walnut Tree, while the orchard contributes maple flavor to distilled spirits like the Sugar Shack Old Fashioned and Cacao Raz. If you can’t narrow it down to four spirits, you can always indulge in a 10-spirit flight. Now it’s really a party!
Refuel after your ski day with tasty eats. Cooper’s Daughter hosts pop-up food trucks by local vendors. You’re in luck if you catch them on a day serving grilled cheese sandwiches or hot waffles.
Fellow Mountain Cafe
- Address: 7883 Main Street, Hunter, NY
- Website: fellowmountaincafe.com/apres-ski
You’re cordially invited to Fellow Mountain Cafe for the coziest après ski near NYC. Skip the party crowds and go with a more family-friendly post-ski activity.
Fellow Mountain Cafe has a special après ski every Saturday during winter. Smoke rising from the building is a sure sign that the fun has already started. Meet up at the foot of Hunter Mountain and enjoy warm food & drinks that tickle your belly. Knock the chill off with a hot chocolate, chai latte, or rejuvenate your energy with a cup of drip coffee. Order small plates for the table and fellowship around sliced salami, olives, peanuts, cheese, and bread.
Subversive Malting & Brewing
- Address: 96 W Bridge St, Catskill, NY
- Website: drinksubversive.com
Drag your weary boots to the bottom of the Catskill Mountains, where Subversive Malting & Brewing awaits. Indulge in après ski pleasures at this venue that’s included on the Catskills Beverage Trail—a list of top breweries and wineries in the Catskills. Find even more venues featured on the trail on our list of top 16 breweries in the Catskills.
This original farmhouse brewery repurposed an old mechanic garage to create a space for brewing 100% locally sourced spirits and a fun atmosphere to enjoy them in. Grab drinks from the onsite taproom to taste unique flavors created by their traditional ‘floor malting’ technique. And don’t forget one of their famous Smashburgers from the kitchen made with local grass-fed beef.
Pro Tip: Stop by on Sundays to catch live music from local bands.
Wayside Cider and Taproom
- Address: 55 Redden Ln, Andes, NY
- Website: waysidecider.com
Apple Orchards are peppered across Upstate New York. While some are geared towards the “Pick Your Own” crowd, apple lovers stopping by Wayside Cider will find their cherished fruit transformed into a menu full of sweet and savory ciders.
The Wayside Cider Taproom welcomes you to stay awhile after mountain-hopping around the Catskills ski areas. It’s set in a restored barn redesigned after old cider taverns for a warm and cozy ambiance. All their ciders—Half Wild, Catskill, Skinny Dip, Cyserkin, and Wild Select—are handmade from local apples.
Order a few bottles to share at your table before enjoying a few board games and a game of pool on the barn loft. You can even order a bottle to enjoy back at your Catskills vacation rental.
Lola Pizza
- Address: 243 Fair St, Kingston, NY
- Website: lola.pizza
Forget about those dollar slice pizza shops around Manhattan. Lola Pizza is for true pizza connoisseurs who know a hot and delicious pie is the only way to indulge after a day of skiing. You’ll burn plenty of calories shredding the mountain slopes, so you’ll get a hearty meal to replenish your energy.
Lola Pizza is a family-friendly spot for an après ski near NYC. Stuff your face with made-to-order wood-fired pizza. It has classics, signature flavors, and even vegan-friendly pies. Their homemade Italian pasta will instantly warm your insides with every bite. This restaurant also has a bar featuring all-natural wines.
Union Grove Distillery
- Address: 43311 NY-28, Arkville, NY
- Website: uniongrovedistillery.com
If you call it early on the slopes, spending your après ski at Union Grove Distillery is an excellent choice to fill up the rest of your day. From distillery tours to sips in the tasting room, it’s no wonder skiers make this a must-visit spot.
Union Grove Distillery produces its spirits onsite, giving more control over the end result. Take a distillery tour to see behind the scenes how their handcrafted spirits come to life. Chat with the owners in the tasting room to learn about their distilling passion.
Sample the award-winning Vly Creek Vodka. Taste the Drie Brook Rye Whiskey to see the tasty effects of aging it over one year before bottling and serving. And pick out the rich maple flavor of the Catskill Mountain Maple Spirit, which is given an extra flavor by aging in maple syrup barrels.
Hudson Chatham Winery
- Address: 1900 NY-66, Ghent, NY
- Website: hudsonchathamwinery.com/visit
Unwind with fine wine at Hudson Chatham Winery. It specializes in limited-run wines made with sustainable farm methods. It has two locations in the Hudson Valley—Ghent and Tannersville—so you can stop by the one closest to your accommodations.
HCW is an excellent option if you have a large group. It is recommended for our guests staying in the larger ski chalet rentals. The experience is a guided wine tasting. You’ll get five curated wines with details about the flavor profile and inspiration behind each.
Clear your palate with light eats between tastings. Find your favorite and order a bottle to-go. It has a variety of whites, reds, ciders, and sparkling wines made from locally grown grapes.
What to Wear to an Après Ski?
Whether you’re fresh off the slopes or made a quick pitstop back at your accommodation to change, everyone is welcome to enjoy an après ski experience at these locations.
There’s no dress code, so feel free to dawn your snow-covered ski fashion—boots, goggles, and all! If you’re like most, you’ll be ready to slip off those ski boots and multiple layers into something more comfortable.
Our nearby rentals at popular ski spots in the Catskills and Hudson Valley have great accessibility to the region’s ski resorts to stop by after the slopes, change, and meet up with your group at your favorite après ski spot.
Find the perfect accommodation today for your dream ski vacation getaway!
