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21 Mountains to Ski Down With Great Craft Breweries at the Bottom

These rustic, craft-beer destination spots are tucked away in high country, and they’ll be the perfect way to top off a day on the slopes.

Emily Hutto Jan 15, 2015 - 7 min read

21 Mountains to Ski Down With Great Craft Breweries at the Bottom Primary Image

This winter, incorporate one of these craft breweries into your next snow-packed beercation.

Mt. Baker, Washington + North Fork Brewery

It’s not every day you come across a pizzeria, a beer shrine, a wedding chapel, and a microbrewery all in one, especially after a day on the slopes. In name, Mt. Baker/North Fork Brewery is a destination for craft-beer lovers and powder hounds, where bettys and bros can carve fresh pre-nuptial powder in what’s often thought of as the country’s most iconic ski destination. The brewery is in the foothills of Mt. Baker, the home to the legendary Banked Slalom snowboard competition, first put on by the inventor of the snowboard, Tom Sims.

Mt. Hood, Oregon + Mt. Hood Brewing Co.

Last month, a press release reported that Mt. Hood got more snow in 24 hours than any other ski resort in North America—16 inches in 24 hours. Don’t miss the powder or the fresh craft beer on tap at Mt. Hood Brewing Co. in nearby Government Camp.

Mt. Bachelor, Oregon + Boneyard Beer

Ski beautiful Mt. Bachelor by day and visit Bend, Oregon’s “boneyard of brewing equipment” in an old auto shop tucked away in the backstreets of the downtown historical district. Don’t miss the RPM IPA and the Bone-A-Fide West Coast-style Pale Ale.

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Bear Valley Mountain/China Peak, California + Big Bear Mountain Brewery

Post Bear Valley Mountain or China Peak slopes, visit one of Big Bear’s historic buildings for a taste of Old Miner’s Gold Honey Blonde Ale or The Grizzly Chocolate Porter.

Mt. Shasta, California + Mt. Shasta Brewing Company

First creamery then brewery, Mt. Shasta Brewing Company is the perfect venue for soaking in the history of Mt. Shasta and some of its finest suds. Bikes adorn the ceiling of this funky bistro where hungry skiers and boarders can find cheese and meat boards, pizzas, bratwursts, and hot dogs.

Mammoth Mountain, California + Mammoth Brewing Company

Ever had a lobster corn dog before? Hop about hops tater tots? Pair these with a Golden Trout Pilsner at Mammoth Brewing Company aprés-ski at Mammoth Mountain.

The Big Mountain, Montana + Great Northern Brewing Company

The tallest building in Whitefish, Montana, just so happens to be a craft brewery. Head to Great Northern Brewing after a day at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

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Big Sky Resort, Montana + Lone Peak Brewery

End a day at the largest ski resort in the United States with a locally made craft beer to boot. Join the Pints Pass membership program during ski season for discounts on pints and growler fills.

Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho + Laughing Dog Brewing

Outdoor enthusiasts and dog lovers alike will appreciate the “fetchingly good beers” at this Ponderay, Idaho, brewery near Schweitzer Mountain. Warm up with the Dogfather Imperial Stout or Alpha Dog Imperial IPA, or try the brewery’s Purebred single-hopped American Pale Ale series.

Twin Peaks, Utah + Bohemian Brewery

Hit the slopes with a crisp, canned lager from Bohemian Brewery, and head to the pub for more beers and grub aprés-ski.

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Park City, Utah + Wasatch Brewery

The Wasatch Brewpub in Park City, Utah, is ideal for warming up after a day on Park City Mountain.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming + Roadhouse Brewing Co.

Refuel from a cold powder day with experimental brews such as Tower of the Castle Sweet Potato Porter and Beautiful Buzz Espresso Stout at award-winning Roadhouse Brewing Co. in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada + Tahoe Mountain Brewing Co.

Taste local barrel-aged, sour, and wild beers at Tahoe Mountain Brewing Co., a relatively new kid on the block (opened in 2012) in this epic ski town. The brewery’s Apricot Recolte Du Bois won a 2014 GABF medal in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category.

Silverton Mountain, Colorado + Colorado Boy Brewery & Pub

Colorado Boy Brewery & Pub in Ridgway, Colorado, (located across the street from the factory that fabricates the Grammy Awards) offers the quintessential comfort food that skiers crave: handcrafted session ales and pizzas.

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Beaver Creek, Colorado + Bonfire Brewing

Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, is a short drive from Beaver Creek where friendly four-legged friends are welcome to join their humans for beers inside and on the patio (outdoor bonfire included).

Loon Mountain, New Hampshire + Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery

Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery in New Hampshire brews beer onsite. This cozy mountain lodge is nestled in the White Mountains, making for alpine adventures by day and Pig’s Ear Brown Ale and White Mountain Weasel Wheat tasting by night.

Wisp Resort, Maryland + Mountain State Brewing

Mountain State is the largest brewery in West Virginia, with another location in McHenry, Maryland. That facility is only a few miles from the skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing opportunities at Wisp Resort.

Stowe Mountain, Vermont + Trapp Lager Brewery

Make your next mountain getaway a Sound of Music-themed one. The European-style Trapp Family mountain resort (pictured at top) sits on 2,500 acres in Stowe, Vermont, where Brewmaster JP Williams brews Austrian-style lagers such as Golden Helles, Bohemian Pilsner, Vienna Lager, and Dunkel.

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Whiteface Mountain, New York + Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Brewery and Restaurant

Skiing, steaks, seafood, and suds . . . it’s hard to imagine a better finale to a powder day.

Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia + Devils Backbone Brewing Company

Head to the 2014 Midsize Brewing Company of the Year post-slopes in Roseland, Virginia. The Basecamp Brewpub offers inspired pub food to pair with the brewery’s Schwartz Bier, Alt Bier, Berliner Weisse, and other award-winning German-inspired ales.

Appalachian Ski Mountain, North Carolina + Blowing Rock Brewing

Blowing Rock Brewing, near Appalachian Ski Mountain in North Carolina, opened its doors in 2013 with the mission of bringing artisan ales to North Carolina’s high country. Don’t miss the flagship High Country Golden Ale or the Mountain Shadow Black IPA.

What’s your favorite ski destination and craft brewery combination?

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