Take a Post-Thrill Chill Pill

I have to confess something: I have not been on a pair of skis—or anything that flies down a snowy hill with a breakable human being intentionally attached to it—since about 1983.

That doesn't mean, however, that I am opposed one bit to the après ski. Originally used in the early 1950s as a term to describe events that take place in the ski lodge at the end of the day, après ski has come to mean any social activity, anywhere, that follows a decent sesh on the slopes.

Being married to a ski bum, I consider myself a bit of an expert on the post-powder hang, and with my husband's help, I have compiled a small sampling of local joints where après ski is, or will be for the first time, king. It turns out that hotel bars and lounges make for perfect post-ski hangouts, and depending on your attire, you may choose to go upscale or casual.

The Staab House bar (330 E Palace Ave., 986-0000) straddles the swanky-casual divide at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, offering comfy chairs and a roaring fire along with signature cocktails, live music most Thursdays through Sundays and a full menu of regional and Euro-American-influenced dishes. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the kitchen serves up fresh pork, beef and vegetarian tamales handmade on the premises.

La Fiesta Lounge (100 E San Francisco St., 982-5511) is the everyman's (or woman's) hotel bar. Located at La Fonda on the Plaza, it's a place to get a signature margarita, a draft beer and a heaping hot plate of nachos while listening to some live rock, blues, country or salsa. If your post-powder appetite calls for something more substantial, tuck into the Torta de Borrego: braised New Mexico lamb shoulder from Felix River Ranch near Roswell served on a round, Mexican-style telera roll, avocado, caramelized onions, arugula and local feta cheese.

Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe's Low 'n Slow Lowrider Bar (125 Washington Ave., 988-4900) is perhaps the funkiest-looking bar in town. Design elements and photographs by Jack Parsons celebrate New Mexico's lowrider culture, and the cocktails are nice and stiff. All those hot colors and flame accents help take the chill off, too.

Let's face it: There is perhaps no more perfect name for an après-ski venue than Fire & Hops (222 N Guadalupe St., 954-1635). Winter sports and good beer grew up together, and here, they meet for the first time. Opened in summer 2014, the brainchild of owners Josh Johns and Joel Coleman celebrates the best that beer has to offer, while serving up some of the city's most inventive fusion cuisine. Snacks, small plates and large plates offer something locally and sustainably driven for every appetite and wallet. Come for the beer; stay for the pork ramen and green chile-kissed poutine.

Del Charro Saloon (101 W Alameda St., 954-0320) by the Inn of the Governors knows how much that Platinum ski pass set you back this year. To ease the pain, they offer some of the best food deals in town, including an unbelievably good (and inexpensive) burger made from locally raised, grass-finished beef. Chillax by the fireplace or belly up to the bar to watch some pro snowboarding while tipping back a Texas TIC (Texas Irish Coffee), made with fresh-brewed coffee, Tia Maria coffee liqueur and brandy topped with whipped cream.

Santa Fe Spirits' Downtown Tasting Room (308 Read St., 780-5906) is now also home to Santa Fe Spirits Academy, which offers a little education with their signature cocktails. After a day on the mountain, settle into classes such as Whiskey Tasting 101 and Holiday Cocktails 101 in the tasting room's conference hall. If you'd rather just sit back and relax, the cozy, relaxed atmosphere of the main tasting room is highly conducive to one consuming some of the distillery's signature cocktails, made with Santa Fe Spirits owner Colin Keegan's craft-distilled creations. Try the Campfire, made with Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey, lime juice, maple syrup and ginger beer. Reservations are required for classes.

Santa Fe Reporter