Coming Soon: The Ski Bartender Challenge

Ski culture is about way more than your performance on the mountain. It’s about a community that keeps the stoke alive from the moment you wake up to the last call at the local watering hole. No one know this better than ski-town bartenders—the local personalities with the best stories, insider secrets, and, most importantly, drinks.

The first annual Ski Bartender Challenge is all about recognizing that truth. With the help of Yellowstone Bourbon and Dos Primos Tequila, we’re putting four barkeeps through ski-specific challenges to crown the ultimate ski-town bartender. The winner will receive a prize package from Yellowstone & Dos Primos, tickets to catch Warren Miller’s latest ski flick, “Winter Starts Now,” $250 of cold hard cash, and bragging rights all season long. And you, beloved reader, get to choose the winner—voting begins November first. In the meantime, get to know our competitors below. 

Andres (Telluride, CO)

Q: Tell us about your favorite place (mountain, run, backcountry area).

A:  I’m lucky enough to ride Telluride every day, and it’s hard to beat Chair 9 with all the homies on a powder day! For steep, deep trees my favorite run is Captain Jack’s to West Drain.

Q: Can you share a local tip for anyone visiting your town?

A: Grab a beer and at least some fries at the Oak Fat Alley BBQ at the bottom of the hill.

Q: What is your favorite type of cocktail and why?

A: I love a good twist on the classic Manhattan. It’s a cocktail that’s all about balance and the ingredients you choose can really add depth and character to the drink. I like mine with Amaro Montenegro and a splash of Luxardo.

Q: What are you most excited for this ski season? 

A: Staying healthy and safe while getting outside to do one of the things I love everyday with all my friends. I’m excited for bluebird days with a fresh coat of powder, and those days when it snows all day and you’re riding from first chair to the last minute you can before going into work. 

Robert (Denver, CO)

Q: Tell us about your favorite place (mountain, run, backcountry area)?

A: Hands down my favorite place to ski is Alta Ski Resort, in Utah, and it’s not just because my older sister has worked there the past five ski seasons. The main reason I love Alta is that it is skiers only, there’s only four of those left in the US. The other reason Alta stands out for me is that it hasn’t been super commercialized and still has that slightly granola feel. Best way to finish the day is with an aprés-ski at the Peruvian Bar, or as locals call it the P Dog. 

Q: Can you share a local tip for anyone visiting your town? 

A: The biggest tip I can give people who are coming out to Denver to ski is don’t come on a weekend! The resorts are packed Friday-Sunday, but Monday-Thursday you’ve practically got the mountain to yourself. 

Q: What is your favorite type of cocktail and why? 

A: Old Fashioned all the way. There are so many different ways you can tweak it to make it unique. Also, who doesn’t love a stiff drink?

Q: What are you most excited for this ski season?

A: Skiing….no, but seriously, I’m just excited to get out there!

Eliot (Fort Collins, CO)

Q: Tell us about your favorite place (mountain, run, backcountry area)?

A: Steamboat Resort, Christmas tree bowl. The chutes a blast, and after the chute you’ve got loads of tree runs or glades with booters.

Q: Can you share a local tip for anyone visiting your town? 

A: Get out to Lee Martinez park, walk, bike, or skate the cement path towards the river, then walk up the river and post up your hammock and enjoy the weather. I love watching the cotton fall (looks like snow) between May and June.

Q: What is your favorite type of cocktail and why?

A: Call me basic, but Margaritas are my favorite. I’m from Florida born and raised, and Margs bring me back to the beach! You can get creative and make different styles and flavors. It feels like you’re at the beach after a bluebird day on the slopes if you end with a refreshing spicy margarita!

Q: What are you most excited for this ski season? 

A: Exploring new spots and finding dope huts!

Jeremy (Arvada, CO)

Q: Tell us about your favorite place (mountain, run, backcountry area)? 

A: Growing up in Wyoming, I lived very close to the Wind River Mountain Range. 

Q: Can you share a local tip for anyone visiting your town?

A: Arvada is a very small community, the bars and restaurants there are some of the best I’ve been to. 

Q: What is your favorite type of cocktail and why?

A: Three to four ingredient cocktails are my favorite. They seem simple but sometimes those are the hardest cocktails to execute. Plus when making at home those are what I turn too. 

Q: What are you most excited for this ski season?

A: Being a father, winter is the time I get to do the holiday traditions with my family and pass those down to my son.