The ingredients that make the perfect apres-ski spot are all there in just the right measure and to excess at the Matterhorn Bar. On the mountain road, this raucous little roadhouse is packed and rollicking after the lifts close. There’s a dance floor, a disc jockey, loud music, pool tables, a big-screen TV and a sushi bar. A more low-key apres-ski at the mountain is in the Fireside Tavern at the Inn at the Mountain.

The Rusty Nail is the “in” spot for dancing and live music, frequently blues. The Shed brews its own beer. Mr. Pickwick's at Ye Olde England Inne gets a good pub crowd with its 150-plus different beers, and the bar at Miguel's Stowe Away seems to be a singles meeting place. The Back Yard is small and normally has plenty of beer to drink around a fire.