I know what you’re thinking: Skiing under the influence is a bad idea. I’m with you in principle, yet for some strange reason, our culture is surprisingly lenient on the idea of having a few cold ones prior to barreling down a mountain on skis and snowboards. No one would blink an eye if you showed up to a ski lodge and ordered a Bloody Mary before first chair, or two beers and a burger for lunch. More common among economically-challenged (i.e. young) skiers and boarders is to throw one back on the ski lift between runs.
To an outsider, this might appear reckless, and for the record, I would never encourage anyone to ski drunk. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that beer seems to taste better between runs, when the legs are burning and you’re crawling upwards through the trees on a clear, wintery day. I mean, a 15-minute lift ride seems like it was made for a brew and a conversation, don’t you think?
Over the years, I have packed in many different kinds of beer, in search of the best combination of taste and buzz. As it relates to skiing, I am generally looking for something with dense flavor that warms me up, both physically and mentally. In terms of the latter, I’m looking to remain composed, but wouldn’t mind something that slowed my pace a little, a hint of reflection within that makes my turns a little wider and my ambition more content. And, of course, it has to come in a can. In this vein, I’m generally choosing dark, higher ABV beers, like Guinness, over light lagers like PBR. Some of the good ones that come to mind are Fireside Chat (21st Amendment), Torpedo Extra IPA (Sierra Nevada), Imperial Java Stout (Santa Fe Brewing Company), Coconut Porter (Maui Brewing Company), and the Foreign Style Stout (Upslope Brewing Company), among others.
My very favorite thus far, though, comes from the pioneer of putting craft beer in cans, Oskar Blues. Owner Dale Katechis said he thought it would be funny to put big beers in cans. If that’s the case, you’ll be laughing your tail off when you crack open a Ten Fidy—a 10.5% ABV Russian imperial stout. The rich, deep flavor will warm you right up, and the concept behind the naming of the beer (according to Katechis, “FIDY” stands for “Fuck the Industry, Do it Yourself”) will have you pleasantly contemplating the rebel inside you. My advice is to crack one open as you ride the lift up for your last run, then, enjoy a slow, steady descent back to the lodge, soaking in the last of the ski day.
As the snow begins to fall here in Colorado, and our focus shifts from summer to snowsports, it’s time to start crafting our winter beer list. Have a favorite? Let us know what you’re drinking this winter on (or alongside) the slopes.
