Après the Yellowstone Country way!

We’re heading into the spring skiing season, one of my favorite times of year. Spring often brings big storms to Montana’s Yellowstone Country, making for some epic late-season powder days (fingers crossed). This part of Montana is also known for being especially sunny, and feeling that warm sun on your face is a simple pleasure hard to beat.

Another simple pleasure? Après-ski. For the uninitiated, great ski days are often followed by a round of camaraderie recalling epic runs, face shots and other amusements of the day, generally over a round of cold beer or hot cocoa. When your body feels a “good tired,” and the smiles are flowing freely. During the spring, these conversations often move to outdoor decks at the base of the mountain, soaking up the last bit of sun before it hides behind the peak. For those headed our way this spring, we’ve got some après ski suggestions.

 



Big Sky Spring Series

Big Sky Resort has gone all-in on the spring ski scene, and you don’t have to be a skier to enjoy it! The new Explorer Gondola takes skiers, snowboarders and scenic riders to the base of the Lone Peak Tram, where you can head to the top of Lone Peak and the new Kircliff, a two-story, glass observation deck perched at 11,166 feet. The view includes two national parks, three states, and some of the most magnificent mountains in the lower 48.

At the base of the tram, The Bowl hosts live music each weekend in April. Iglu, an architectural installation carved from snow and ice, is a great place for a glass of bubbly, and at the end of the season, don’t miss Pond Skim. This well-loved tradition features costumed skiers and riders attempting to cross a man-made (icy-cold!) pond.

For a casual dinner, try Scissor Bills or Mountain Jack. Or for finer dining, M by Alinea Group, or Everett’s 8800.

 



Bridger Bowl Slidin’

Check out the hashtag #bbowlslidin, and you’ll get a glimpse of the joy that emanates from the long-time patrons of this community ski area. Bridger Bowl is known for having some of the best in-bounds extreme skiing in the U.S., along with a family-friendly vibe, including an expanded beginner’s area. The Ridge terrain (which requires avalanche gear) is accessible primarily by hiking or via Schlasman’s lift, which puts you on top of the Bridger Mountain Range with 360-degree views of the Gallatin Valley.

Skiers and riders don’t mess around here. They play hard all day, followed by relaxing by the fire at Jimmy B’s over a basket of their beer-battered fries (with your choice of seasoning) or some hot wings. Jim Bridger and Saddle Peak Lodges both have large sweeping decks to enjoy snacks and beverages.

Back in Bozeman, the craft beer scene is big. There are eight breweries, plus three distilleries, a cider house, and a meadery. Many of them are tasting rooms, meaning they close at eight pm, and don’t always have food, but Mountains Walking, MAP Brewing, and Bridger Brewing all have great noshes.

 

Meet Me at the ’Stube

The Bierstube that is. Skiing at Red Lodge Mountain is nothing short of a blast. It’s a low-key vibe with terrain for every level, and views that seemingly stretch to the eastern half of Montana. Red Lodge is a quintessential mountain town, with the ski area just minutes from downtown. After a day of crushing it, the deck of the Bierstube is where people gather for an elk bratwurst, or Bavarian pretzels with a beer cheese sauce and a pitcher of the real stuff to wash it down.

Back in town, Bogart’s has delicious Mexican food and margaritas, or try Fosters and Logans Pub and Grill for casual pub fare. Red Lodge Ales is one of the region’s first local breweries, and they also serve ciders from their sister company, Last Chance Ciders, along with casual food like burgers, sandwiches, BBQ and tacos!

We hope you’ll join us this spring. We’re doing our snow dances!