Après A, B, Cs
by Gabrielle Martin
Après is a time-honored tradition in the ski industry; that's why our motto is, "When the lifts stop spinning, the party is just beginning."
Here's everything you need to know about the après-ski scene at Sugarloaf.
The Widowmaker
Located at the top of the Base Lodge, The Widowmaker is an iconic staple in the Sugarloaf drinking and dining scene; this hip hub is the perfect place to sip on spirits while looking out over the hustle and bustle of the Beach. Karen Seile, who managers the Widowmaker, said it best when she expressed: “We are that aprés bar. It’s tradition to get done with runs and come here to enjoy a beer.”
And she’s absolutely right: featuring 20 Maine-brewed beers on tap plus a mouth-watering menu, an afternoon or evening spent here is a timeless resort rite of passage. The new-and-improved interior of the Widowmaker is airy and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows that allows sunlight to seep in; the bar’s cool color scheme, an assortment of blues, browns, and grays, contrast the warm atmosphere inside.
Send it on over to the Widowmaker after a day of shredding for live aprés entertainment most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the season.
45 North
45 North is a warm and welcoming escape from the elements located in the heart of the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel. The restaurant's interior evokes instant feelings of comfort with an aura of quaint coziness, from the assortment of colorful, mismatched chairs to the flickering fireplace and wrap-around wood-paneled walls decorated with scenes of a vintage Sugarloaf.
If you're craving creature comforts or seeking a relaxing place to spend your evening, look no further than 45 North. In addition to unbeatable ambiance, the restaurant offers an authentic Maine menu that emphasizes the value of using the freshest local ingredients while celebrating the diverse abundance and wealth of Vacationland’s harvests through the seasons; this incredible attention to detail extends to 45 North’s impressive curation of custom craft cocktails, high-end bourbons, local beers, and fine wines.
You can catch live après entertainment at 45 North on Saturdays throughout the season.
Bullwinkle's
Après-ski is a French term that translates literally to “after ski,” or “after skiing,” so technically, there’s no official time that marks the start of après activities. Should you feel like beginning your festivities sooner than later, look no further than Bullwinkle's Bistro, the resort's on-hill restaurant located smack-dab in the middle of the mountain–well, and this is another technicality, it's really in the heart of the West Side.
Bullwinkle's is a prime-time way to start any après sesh without even leaving higher elevation. The Bistro is open daily until 3:30pm, offering an on-mountain destination where you can warm up next to the fire as you enjoy the venue's an American-style menu, fabulous full bar, and lodge-esque atmosphere.
Bullie's is famous for their Bloodys, but they expanded their menu this season to include an assortment of all-new craft cocktails and hot toddies in addition to serving cans, drafts, and wine. As for grub, this après hot spot has the comfort foods you'll be craving after a day hitting the hill: opt in to an All-Day Breakfast Sandwich, or try the legendary Big Dump.
