Few things can cap off a day of skiing Vermont’s mountains better than raising a glass with friends. Après-ski is more than just the French term for “happy hour.” It’s a lifestyle unto itself, a moment when everyone comes off the mountain, tired, smiling and ready to quench their thirst and share stories.
Stowe is legendary for its après-ski scene. It’s a time when locals and visitors, lift operators and hedge fund managers mix. No one seems to care what you do for work: It’s all about how hard you played that day on the mountain.
In most places in town, it’s easy to strike up a conversation with the next table over and countless couples will tell you they met at The Matterhorn or one of Stowe’s other watering holes. Take off your ski boots, but don’t bother to go home and get changed: Ski pants and sweaters are the norm here. Here are a few of Stowe’s enduring favorite spots for après-ski.
Best Whiskey Bar: WhistlePig Pavilion
Just steps from the slopes of Spruce Peak, the WhistlePig Pavilion looks out at the skating rink. You can reserve one of the heated outdoor pergolas or head inside where wheels of raclette cheese melt in the fireplace. Enjoy raclette nachos, WhistlePig whiskey tastings, venison chili, and live music on Saturdays.
Best Après-Ski Bar: The Matterhorn
There are a handful of après-ski bars known around the world — The Matterhorn is one of them. After skiing Stowe Mountain Resort, it’s the first bar on the way down Mountain Road and often feels like everyone has stopped there. Inside, you’ll find multiple generations enjoying arcade games, live bands, sushi, martinis, and après-ski energy. Mug racks honor local ski instructors, and big-name musicians have performed here over the decades.
Best Post-Ski Pizza: Piecasso
If you worked up an appetite skiing all day, Piecasso is the fast, delicious fix. Known for Sicilian-style artisan pizzas, Piecasso offers one of the best deals in town: two slices and a soda for $6.24. Family-friendly seating mixes with a lively bar area and weekend live music.
Best Beer & Burger Bar: Doc Ponds
Doc Ponds blends excellent craft beer, elevated pub fare, and a massive vinyl collection. Founded by James Beard–nominated chef Eric Warnstedt, Doc Ponds serves some of Vermont’s best hard-to-find brews alongside dishes like smoked bluefish dip, pork belly with husk berry jam, and standout burgers. The vinyl library includes more than 1,000 records — and their Spotify playlists keep the vibe going.
Best Local Hangout: Backyard
Just behind Cady Hill’s mountain bike trails sits the Backyard, once a beloved dive bar and now revamped by the owners of Ranch Camp. The new look is bike-inspired and fun, the crowd is a mix of locals and visitors, and the menu is crowd-pleasing comfort with creative twists. Expect a lively, loud, authentically Stowe atmosphere.
Best Wine Bar: Cork
Cork is the wine-lover’s answer to après-ski. Owner Danielle Nichols — a former ski racer — curates a thoughtful selection of natural wines in a stylish space. The small menu is upscale yet comforting, featuring dishes like roasted beets with horseradish crème fraîche or spiced pork tenderloin. It’s a softer, more refined après scene that still comes to life as the night goes on.
Produced in partnership with Vermont Ski + Ride Magazine.
