Après Ski Cocktail Classic

woman_fpo

We’re getting jazzed for a new event in town: the Après Ski Cocktail Classic, March 14-17.  This winter party will feature the best of the best in après-ski culture with everything from hot toddies to mountain-top parties, seminars, fireside chats, a Grand Tasting Village and the first Great Après-ski Pub Crawl.

We just had to get in on that!

Our Food and Beverage Director and Master Sommelier Sabato Sagaria will be giving a seminar on Friday with Jim Butchart (Executive Chef with Aspen Skiing Company). The topic? Cheese Fondue and Champagne Pairings.

“This seminar is going to be all about ‘grower champagnes’ that are smaller and less well-known,” Sabato says. “There are many artisanal producers out there making new and exciting champagnes. These smaller producers are not only delicious, they’re also a better value than some of the bigger names out there.”

(The Little Nell’s house champagne is from one such producer, and Sabato says he’ll be sharing it and a few other gems at the seminar. He also recommends Grape and Grain in Aspen if you’re looking to find a few bottles to take home.)

The Little Nell is also participating in the Sunday Pub Crawl from 2-5 p.m.

Consider wearing your best retro Après-Ski garb, and ramble to seven top-tier watering holes in downtown Aspen.  Each venue is bringing their A-game, and vying for the honor of “Aspen’s Best Après-Ski Cocktail.”  The winner will be inducted as an elite member of Saveur Magazine’s “Tastemakers of Mixology.”

Official venues are: 39 DEGREES at Sky HotelJ-BARJIMMY’SJUSTICE SNOW’SLIMELIGHTRED ONION, and TERRACE BAR at Little Nell.  Buy the ticket, and get each venue’s Signature Après-Ski Cocktail.  (ticket price* $31)

And if you’re still standing, our Iron Bartender battle starts immediately after the Crawl at 5:30 in the Terrace Bar… pitting Shaine Hartman from Element 47 vs. Ryan Sterling from JBAR in the first of the semi final rounds.

Stay thirsty my friends!