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Hangover Helper: The Best Ski Town Bloody Mary's

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It's a fact that the Bloody Mary—that glorious, hair-of-the-dog libation comprised of vodka and tomato juice- is a staple at ski resorts across the continent. Late nights and long slope seshes require an AM eye-opener, which is why Curbed Ski has sussed out the best, from Sun Valley to Breckenridge. Hang onto this list, especially if you're planning to attend the Après Ski Cocktail Classic in Snowmass, March 13-17 or hit any of the raging spring break parties this month. You'll thank us.

Note: The bars and restaurants are listed based on geography, not in any particular ranking. Upset your fav spot didn't make the list? Send us an email or let us know in the comments.


-By Laurel Miller · Dirt Bags, PBRs, and Shot Skis: The Best Ski Town Dive Bars [Curbed Ski]
· UPDATED! Beers or Bust: The Best Ski Town Breweries, Jan '14 [Curbed Ski]
· All Eater Ski Coverage [Curbed Ski Archives]

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Dusty's Bar and BBQ

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This Western-themed sister restaurant/bar to après ski hotspot Garibaldi Lift Co. is famed for its Mary’s, which for some reason Canadians persist in calling a Caesar (made with Clamato as a matter of course). Dusty’s uses a Smirnoff base, and expands upon that with house specials like the Horse Outta Hell (habanero wing hot sauce and Worcestershire, garnished with pepperoncini, spicy green bean, hot pepperoni stick, celery, and lime, rimmed with a 5-Pepper dry wing spice; BYO Alka-Seltzer), and the Smoke Pit Caesar (smoked Tabasco and Worcestershire, garnished with “two cubes of our beef brisket,” pepperoncini, celery, and lime, rimmed with steak spice).

The Summit Deck & Grille

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There are plenty of spots in Tahoe to suck down a Bloody Mary before a killer view but the people’s favorite is at this top-of-mountain bbq joint in North Shore. The Velvet Bacon Bloody Mary is more of a meal in a glass, a strong, savory libation made with “a touch” of Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout from Firestone Walker Brewing Co (Paso Robles, CA)., Ketel One, housemade spiced, candied bacon, pickled veggies, pepperoncini and olive juice, horseradish, and lots of spices including a dash of cinnamon. Hold onto your helmet.

River Run Day Lodge

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Tangy, spicy, soothing: the Bloody Mary's here have all the things you look for in a hangover salve, with the benefit of a five-star view of Bald Mountain and the Big Wood River. Apres ski is hopping at this gorgeous, river-rock and exposed log on-mountain establishment, but if you're in dire need of help, hit up the bar during breakfast, and park it in front of the floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Makes that bender worth it, doesn't it?

The St. Regis Deer Valley

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Fact: The Bloody Mary was invented at the King Cole Bar at St. Regis New York by a French bartender. The luxury hotel brand has gone on to develop a signature Bloody Mary for each of its properties, and not surprisingly, they’re amazing. The 7452 Mary from the stunning Deer Valley property (which necessitates an on-call funicular to get to the hotel proper) is a mix of the house Mary mix (no trade secrets, but it does contain a dash of cornichon brine) topped with a wasabi and celery “espuma” and dash of cayenne, in a glass rimmed with black salt (an homage to the mining history of the era; the cloud-like espuma represents snow). Whatever, it’s divine. At the St. Regis, Aspen, try the Downhill Snapper with Ketel One vodka, muddled dill, basil, and freshly cracked pepper, garnished with olives and a pickle.

Woody Creek Distillers

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This award-winning distillery earns Curbed Ski’s top honors for best Bloody Mary. While the smooth, Roaring Fork Valley-grown potato vodka is key, it’s the balance of smoky/savory/sweet/spicy from the housemade celery bitters and Mary mix, and bacon salt rim that clear our head and warm our heart, every time.

Westside Cafe and Market

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This unassuming greasy spoon serves up their wildly popular Mary’s in a goblet festooned with a vegetable skewer and draft beer side car, for just $9.95 a pop. Should you require further enticement, add bacon vodka and a slice of candied bacon to the whole shebang. Tip: down at least one before you go wait in the parking lot lift lines.

The Motherloaded Tavern

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Although the pickle or jalapeno-infused versions are popular, it’s the Motherlode mix (made by neighbor Motherlode Provisions- no connection) that makes this dive’s Mary’s king. DIY types should swing by the mom-and-pop Motherlode Provisions’ new retail shop for bbq, steak, hot sauces, and the Bloody Mary mix. The cult concoction is an appealingly rich blend gussied up with cayenne, black pepper, jalapeno, molasses, and carrot juice.

6th Alley Bar & Grill

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The December remodel may be recent, but the word has long been out about the Dude Bacon Vodka Bloody Mary’s. Garnished with a strip of the crispy stuff, these puppies are chugged, in the words of one local, “all day long.” Need more help? Fridays mean $5.50 hot pepper-infused Hornitos Lime shots. Careful, don’t cross those tips.

Dusty's Bar and BBQ

This Western-themed sister restaurant/bar to après ski hotspot Garibaldi Lift Co. is famed for its Mary’s, which for some reason Canadians persist in calling a Caesar (made with Clamato as a matter of course). Dusty’s uses a Smirnoff base, and expands upon that with house specials like the Horse Outta Hell (habanero wing hot sauce and Worcestershire, garnished with pepperoncini, spicy green bean, hot pepperoni stick, celery, and lime, rimmed with a 5-Pepper dry wing spice; BYO Alka-Seltzer), and the Smoke Pit Caesar (smoked Tabasco and Worcestershire, garnished with “two cubes of our beef brisket,” pepperoncini, celery, and lime, rimmed with steak spice).

The Summit Deck & Grille

There are plenty of spots in Tahoe to suck down a Bloody Mary before a killer view but the people’s favorite is at this top-of-mountain bbq joint in North Shore. The Velvet Bacon Bloody Mary is more of a meal in a glass, a strong, savory libation made with “a touch” of Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout from Firestone Walker Brewing Co (Paso Robles, CA)., Ketel One, housemade spiced, candied bacon, pickled veggies, pepperoncini and olive juice, horseradish, and lots of spices including a dash of cinnamon. Hold onto your helmet.

River Run Day Lodge

Tangy, spicy, soothing: the Bloody Mary's here have all the things you look for in a hangover salve, with the benefit of a five-star view of Bald Mountain and the Big Wood River. Apres ski is hopping at this gorgeous, river-rock and exposed log on-mountain establishment, but if you're in dire need of help, hit up the bar during breakfast, and park it in front of the floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Makes that bender worth it, doesn't it?

The St. Regis Deer Valley

Fact: The Bloody Mary was invented at the King Cole Bar at St. Regis New York by a French bartender. The luxury hotel brand has gone on to develop a signature Bloody Mary for each of its properties, and not surprisingly, they’re amazing. The 7452 Mary from the stunning Deer Valley property (which necessitates an on-call funicular to get to the hotel proper) is a mix of the house Mary mix (no trade secrets, but it does contain a dash of cornichon brine) topped with a wasabi and celery “espuma” and dash of cayenne, in a glass rimmed with black salt (an homage to the mining history of the era; the cloud-like espuma represents snow). Whatever, it’s divine. At the St. Regis, Aspen, try the Downhill Snapper with Ketel One vodka, muddled dill, basil, and freshly cracked pepper, garnished with olives and a pickle.

Woody Creek Distillers

This award-winning distillery earns Curbed Ski’s top honors for best Bloody Mary. While the smooth, Roaring Fork Valley-grown potato vodka is key, it’s the balance of smoky/savory/sweet/spicy from the housemade celery bitters and Mary mix, and bacon salt rim that clear our head and warm our heart, every time.

Westside Cafe and Market

This unassuming greasy spoon serves up their wildly popular Mary’s in a goblet festooned with a vegetable skewer and draft beer side car, for just $9.95 a pop. Should you require further enticement, add bacon vodka and a slice of candied bacon to the whole shebang. Tip: down at least one before you go wait in the parking lot lift lines.

The Motherloaded Tavern

Although the pickle or jalapeno-infused versions are popular, it’s the Motherlode mix (made by neighbor Motherlode Provisions- no connection) that makes this dive’s Mary’s king. DIY types should swing by the mom-and-pop Motherlode Provisions’ new retail shop for bbq, steak, hot sauces, and the Bloody Mary mix. The cult concoction is an appealingly rich blend gussied up with cayenne, black pepper, jalapeno, molasses, and carrot juice.

6th Alley Bar & Grill

The December remodel may be recent, but the word has long been out about the Dude Bacon Vodka Bloody Mary’s. Garnished with a strip of the crispy stuff, these puppies are chugged, in the words of one local, “all day long.” Need more help? Fridays mean $5.50 hot pepper-infused Hornitos Lime shots. Careful, don’t cross those tips.