Apres-Ski / Nightlife

Apres-ski starts at the base lodges, which do booming business at the bar as the lifts close. Chez Henri's Back Room is the on-mountain apres-ski hangout and can rock all evening. The Hyde Away is where you will find the locals; the Blue Tooth on the access road is most popular with tourists. On weekends try the Sugarbush Inn for a more upscale, older crowd.

The base area bar at Mad River Glen, General Stark's Pub, follows the retro atmosphere of the area with plenty of fun in an old-time bar. After leaving Mad River Glen, the next place to stop is the Mad River Barn. The bar there looks like an old Vermont bar should look: moose head hanging over the fireplace, hunting scenes on every wall, big couches and stuffed chairs, wood paneling and bumper pool or shuffleboard.

Local Folk Smokehouse is a great barbecue, Tex Mex and family-friendly bar. The Purple Moon Pub, next door to the Easy Street Cafe, is a non-smoking spot for live music and apres-ski snacking. The Starlight Lounge is a coffeehouse adjacent to the Eclipse movie theater where acoustic music holds sway. Juan Gorilla's Cantina & Sports Bar (above), downstairs at Rosita's, is a small but very friendly spot serving 18 draft beers to be consumed in front of a big screen TV, or while playing billiards or darts.