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TH E ART OF APRÈ S
B E ST O F JAC KS O N HO L E 2019
Photo: Keegan Rice / The Rose
The Art of Après THE FINER POINTS OF THE AFTER-ACTIVITY DRINK Words by Jenna Mahaffie
Photos by Keegan Rice and The Spur
It’s almost a Jackson Hole tradition that outdoor But there’s another reason we are driven to indulge feats are invariably followed by chowing down —it’s celebration. The origin of après as an activity and then making merry. These accomplishments originally came from our brethren across the pond don’t even have to be incredibly arduous. who honed and sculpted the tradition. In the Just the completion of an outdoor early days of alpinism, après wasn’t activity—any activity—elicits a about charging the bars after a big maddening desire for caloric day in the mountains. Instead, it consumption. Whether it’s was about relaxing with friends burgers and beers at the and family, and discussing famed Stagecoach Bar the day’s escapades, with a Hydrate: no hangovers in Wilson (Gold–Best Bar, fire in the background and allowed on powder days. pg. 50) after an afternoon a warm drink in hand. bike ride on Teton Pass, Leave early: early to bed, or pizza and a pitcher at More recently, the old early to rise - you need it! Dornan’s after summiting tradition of après ski the Grand, we’re clearly has shifted from cozy, pretty obsessed. So what’s intimate mountain chalet Eat something: it’s the reason behind it all? settings to loud, crowded easy to forget after a bars filled with gourmet craft few beers. The obvious answer is, of course, cocktails and ripe-smelling hunger. Skiing makes us hungry. ski bums. Sometimes after a big Biking makes us hungry. Being cold powder day on a weekend, the Mangy makes us hungry. At the end of the day, Moose Saloon in Teton Village (Gold-Best we’re burning calories doing all of those things, Après, pg. 58) can rival any party on the planet in and scientifically speaking, that’s truly the reason terms of crowds and stoke. Or if you’re looking for our stomachs grumble after a long day in the something a little more mellow, the happy hour at mountains sustained only by Clif Bars and bananas. the Calico Bar & Restaurant (Silver–Best Italian, pg.
Après Pro Tips
