By Alix Holmes

Ski season had a slow start, but that doesn’t mean enthusiasts aren’t heading up to their favorite resorts as the snowpack begins to build. Now that Colorado is expecting on and off snowstorms for the next week, skiers and snowboarders are rushing to the mountains for an epic day on the hill. What’s the best way to finish a day on the mountain? Definitely a cold craft beer! The runs may have been lacking snow, but the resorts’ taps are far from dry.

There are many events held at the Colorado resorts such as Breckenridge’s pass holder appreciation that runs from January 16 to February 22, Friday night DJ sets at Steamboat, or Sunday morning yoga at Winter Park. And, if you want to extend your day, consider night skiing at Keystone. Don’t forget that lodging is available.

When it comes to celebrating an exhilarating day on the slopes, Quinn Woodhouse prefers the old-school beer and a shot. The bartender at The Infinite Monkey Theorem in Denver and avid snowboarder said he likes to hit Keystone Resort’s south bowl and tree runs. Woodhouse said he enjoys “anything by Upslope Brewery” to finish up a day of boarding, or prepare for an evening ride.

No matter which runs are your favorites, Colorado’s ski resorts offer a diverse range of craft beers from all over the state. Here are some of the many options:

Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin Café & Pub: Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout and Telluride Brewing Face Down Brown

Beaver Creek

Bachelor Gulch Club: Titan IPA and Denver Pale Ale and Bonfire Brewing Brush Creek, Demshitz, and Firestarter
Talons: Bonfire Brewing Tent Pole
Coyote Cafe: Pikes Peak Brewing Devil’s Head Red Ale

Breckenridge

Sevens: Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout and Bonfire Brewing Firestarter
T-Bar: Great Divide Titan IPA and Denver Pale Ale
Living Room: Great Divide Titan IPA
Coppertop: Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale
Base 9: Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale
Vista Haus: Great Divide Titan IPA
Robbie’s Tavern: Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale

Copper

Incline Bar & Grill: Great Divide Denver Pale Ale and Pikes Peak Brewing Elephant Rock IPA

Eldora

Rotating Telluride Brewing beers
Ska Brewing Hop Ivy

Keystone

The Outpost: Great Divide Titan IPA
Keystone Lodge: Great Divide Titan IPA
Zuma Roadhouse: Pikes Peak Brewing Devil’s Head Red Ale

Loveland

Loveland Wedge Bar: Tommyknocker Brewery Pine Bough Pale Ale
Loveland Rathskellar: Tommyknocker Brewery Pine Bough Pale Ale

Purgatory

Ska Brewing Company’s Euphoria, Pinstripe, and Purgatory Pils are all available on the mountain.

Steamboat

Steamboat Grand Resort: Great Divide Titan IPA

Telluride

Gorrono Ranch: Telluride Brewing beers

Vail/Lionshead

The 10th: Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
Ritz – Carlton: Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
Marriot: Great Divide Titan IPA
Hotel Talisa (formerly Hotel Cascade): Great Divide Titan IPA
Express Lift: Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale and Bonfire Brewing Demshitz Brown
Two Elk: Bonfire Brewing Demshitz Brown

Winter Park

Pizza Pedal’r: Great Divide Hibernation and Denver Pale Ale