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8 Spots for Apres Ski in Central Washington
Central Washington is a winter wonderland filled with snow-capped mountains and wintry trails that lend themselves to all sorts of snow sports! Outdoor enthusiasts visiting our area in the winter may enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice skating, fat biking, and more! With so much opportunity to escape outdoors and enjoy the snowy season, it’s only natural that our area is also home to plenty of classic apr’s ski destinations. These local bars and breweries are the perfect location for skiers, boarders, and other chilly travelers to warm up with a good drink and socialize with their friends. The perfect end to a day on the mountain or nearby trails!
BASECAMP BOOKS & BITES
If you aren’t on the slopes, check out Washington State Ski and Snowboard Museum to explore the history of them instead! This great museum is free thanks to donors, making it a great place to visit when you’re in the area. There are tons of collections here that include Ski Mountaineering, Washington Snow Sport Venues, and Olympians From the Area. You can learn so much about the history of skiing and snowboarding and even more about the area if you visit this museum.
COMMONWEALTH
Located at the top of Snoqualmie Pass, a hub for winter adventure in Central Washington, Commonwealth is a spacious restaurant and bar serving up fresh, gourmet, locally-sourced comfort food. The large space serves as a place for the community to gather and, located near the Summit at Snoqualmie, draws many skiers and snowboarders for an apres ski hangout.
DRU BRU
Soak up the mountain views as you sip cold brews at Dru Bru! Visit either of their two locations’Snoqualmie Pass or Cle Elum’to enjoy a beer by the fire or in the indoor seating areas, grab food from a local food truck, play games, and swap stories about your day on the slopes! Both taprooms are family-friendly, offering award-winning beers and ciders for the adults, and non-alcoholic sodas for the little ones. The Pass location includes Dru Bru’s food truck, Squatch Box, which serves up delicious hot dogs and fries. The Cle Elum taproom serves select sandwiches, salads, and wraps from Stella’s and also frequently hosts Swiftfired Pizza Co., a local food truck crafting wood-fired pizzas. Outside food is also welcome.
MIKE'S TAVERN
A favorite local meetup, Mike’s Tavern is a bar located in Downtown Cle Elum. After your snowshoe trek or fat tire bike ride through the snow, come here to relax and enjoy classic bar fare and a cold pint over conversation with friends.
MULE & ELK BREWING CO.
Cle Elum’s first nano-brewery, Mule & Elk is another of our area’s favorite post-adventure destinations. The brewery is all about creating unique beer, supporting the community, and enjoying life outdoors, so they are happy to welcome adventurers after their day out in the cold. Since its start in 2016, Mule & Elk has grown to offer a variety of beer selections, ranging from traditional English ales to hoppy, West Coast-style IPAs. Food is available and includes soups and snack boards, and trivia is hosted every Thursday at 6pm!
ROSLYN BREWING COMPANY
Roslyn Brewing Company has been brewing hand-crafted and full-flavored beer since 1990. With a goal of continuing Roslyn’s tradition of brewing excellence, their full-bodied German-style lagers are reminiscent of those brewed by the immigrant miners in Roslyn at the turn of the century. The brewery makes for an excellent stop to kick back and enjoy the tight-knit local community. Food is not available on the premises, but you are welcome to bring your own or order from nearby establishments.
THE BRICK SALOON
One of Roslyn’s historical landmarks, The Brick was established in 1889 as a community gathering space. It is now considered Washington’s oldest operating bar, and showcases an original 23′ running water spittoon, colorful coal mining history, tasty pub fare, and live music. Minors are welcome in the family dining area until 9pm.
WHIPSAW BREWING
Whipsaw Brewing is a small brewery located in the heart of downtown Ellensburg. Here you’ll find fantastic brews and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that fosters great conversation. Not only do they offer delicious brews, but they wholly embrace the social aspect of drinking, which has left a mark on the people of Ellensburg as well as out-of-town guests. Experience Whipsaw’s welcoming hospitality for yourself and head in to share a pint and swap stories of your recent adventures!
We invite you to book your winter getaway to Central Washington to enjoy your favorite snow sports as well as these apr’s ski destinations!