If you’re part of the uninitiated, “après ski” is a French way to describe your social plans and entertainment after your day skiing or snowboarding. In Central MA, our après ski vibe is decidedly more chill compared to Aspen or the Alps, and there are plenty of options within a short drive from our local ski slopes. To help you plan your next ski getaway in the region, we’ve curated a guide that anyone from a ski novice to experienced shredder will find useful.

Skiing is for Everyone

Learn to ski in Central MA

Central Massachusetts is a great place to learn to ski because destinations like Wachusett Mountain and Ski Ward have trails that are perfect for beginners, hundreds of instructors, and the environments are much less intimidating compared to bigger ski resorts. Did you know you can even show up with no equipment, outerwear or experience, and get everything you need to have a fun day learning to ski? Here are some of the packages beginners should know about:

• Wachusett Mountain’s Learn to Ski or Snowboard (3-Day Package: $249 OR 1-Day Package: $149 weekend/holidays or $145 weekdays) We love that these packages come with rentals of skis, boots & poles or snowboard & boots, because we know beginners won’t always have their own equipment. You can even add on a helmet & Gore-Tex outerwear rental, and Wachusett has thoughtfully come up with a Wach-U-Need Start Pack add-on, which includes handwarmers, socks, gloves and goggles, which are yours to keep. Beginner Group Lessons are about 1.5 hours long, and the package lift ticket is valid for a 4-hour session.
   
• Wachusett Mountain’s Return to Learn ($179 weekend/holidays or $175 weekdays) This package is perfect for beginners who have been on skis or a snowboard before, but need more instruction to level up and grow their confidence. The package includes a lift ticket, rental equipment and a group lesson (ages 9+ and level 3 and up).
   
• Ski Ward’s Private Lessons ($125-$170) Private lessons for both skiing and snowboarding for ages 3 to adult are available to Ski Ward visitors. Private lessons must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, and you can even book with friends or family of a similar age and level for a semi-private learning experience at only $120 per additional person. The higher priced package includes a lift ticket to ski 90-minutes after your lesson, plus equipment rental.
   
• Kids Lessons – Wachusett’s per session Polar Kids (ages 4-8) and Arctic Aces (ages 9-14) lessons, and Ski Ward’s multi-week Tiny Tracks / Mini Stars (ages 3-14), Small Tracks / Little Stars (ages 4-7), and First Tracks / Future Stars (ages 8-14) programs are all great options for parents to consider when giving their kids the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard.

Fuel up on and off the slopes

At Ski Ward you’ll want to visit the Fireside lodge and hit the snack bar, or hang out at the Slopeside Bar & Grill, which serves beer, wine and food specials.

At Wachusett Mountain there are both on and off-slope options. On the slopes you must make a pit stop at the Bullock Cider Lodge as well as the Waffle Cabin. Tasty treats include apple turnovers, fudge, hot cider donuts, and don’t miss the Belgian sugar waffles with chocolate drizzled on top.

Back at the Base Lodge, there are many options for you. The food court serves breakfast, lunch and dinner classics. Identity Coffee Lab is the place for your caffeine kick, and at The Core, operated by Red Apple Farm, you’ll find apple products, fudge and those classic apple cider donuts everyone loves. Stay outdoors with your food and draft beers at the O’Brien’s Deck Bar & Grill. Or get cozy inside at the pub-style Black Diamond Restaurant or après ski at the Coppertop Lounge, featuring The T-Bar with tapas and drinks.

Drive to Your Après Ski Destination

A short drive away, there are SO many more options for your après ski plans, so we’ve curated a couple favorites in every direction for you to consider:

to the east

• Roots Kitchen & Juice Bar is a super healthy way to end a day of skiing. While traditional après ski culture might be about partying, we know there are plenty of people who may prefer an alcohol-free, body fueling experience. Just 17 minutes from Wachusett Mountain, you’ll find the made-to-order kitchen serving up daily soups, fresh salads and fantastic sandwiches. Organic smoothies, the Paleo Bowl, and their Vegan Quinoa Bowl are also very popular items.
   
• Thirsty Robot Brewing Co. is only 20 minutes from Wachusett, and boasts 14 rotating taps of micro-brews. This family owned and operated establishment has a group-friendly taproom, and flavor-driven, masterfully crafted beverages, plus live entertainment. They have a full food menu, but you can also bring your own, and you’ll find board games, mega jenga and more.

to the north

• Wachusett Brewing’s Westminster Brew Yard, just 10 minutes away from Wachusett Mountain, is a local staple. When you visit, you’ll find a food menu, wide variety of craft beers, hard ciders, hard seltzers, and handcrafted cocktails. Pro-tip: You can get a 15% merchandise discount if you’re a Wachusett Season Passholder.
   
• Great Wolf Lodge Water Park is the après ski hotspot for families with kids, just 10 minutes north of Wachusett. This massive indoor water park resort is kept at 84-degrees, so after a cold day on the mountain, it’s like a spa day with slides. They have themed suites, fun attractions and daily events that include a kids story time, Yoga Tails and arts & crafts.

to the west

• Red Apple Farm is 20 minutes west of Wachusett, and there are more than just apple products when you visit the farm. The destination is also home to TimberFire Pizza and the Brew Barn Restaurant, both perfect après ski hangouts for groups. TimberFire’s Neapolitan pizzas are perfectly cooked in a wood-fired pizza trailer, and a perfect complement to the hard ciders and beers at the Brew Barn, locally crafted by Moon Hill Brewing.

to the south

• Cornerstone Ranch is less than 20 minutes south, and offers a unique way to après ski. Take a group or private sleigh ride, pulled by beautiful steeds, through a scenic, woodsy winter wonderland. While on your fun adventure, visit the highest point in Rutland, MA, Massachusetts’s geographical center. After your adventure, relax by a cozy campfire or in the heated pavilion while savoring delicious hot cocoa and s’mores—sweets included in the package!
   
• Head into downtown Worcester (30 minutes from Wachusett and 15 minutes from Ski Ward) to après ski at The Mercantile, a popular party spot with two floors, boasting huge bars, and a roof deck that features reservable igloos, donning a beautiful tablescape, fireplace, blankets and a Bluetooth speaker. Everyone loves the cozy vibes, sharable food options (don’t skip the pizzas), espresso martinis, and the Blood Orange Cranberry Drink Towers that put the cherry (or rather, the cranberry) on top of your après ski experience.
   
• Nearby on Shrewsbury Street, an authentic brick oven pizza Napoletana and cocktail spot we love is Volturno. If your après ski outing is on a Monday or Tuesday night, take advantage of their BOGO pizza deal, and order the Blood Orange Spritz Mocktail – a quintessential après ski beverage.

Staying Overnight

There are dozens of brand name hotels to choose from in the greater Worcester area, and for a more unique, highe-end experience, consider one of these two other options:

• Beechwood Hotel is a luxury Four-Diamond getaway stay, where you can enjoy beautifully appointed rooms, including fireplace suites, perfect for a warm night in after a day of skiing.
• For a more home-like experience, book a stay at a Luxo Executive Rentals property – fully furnished 2-4 bedroom apartments and townhomes in Worcester. Perfect for larger groups who want to stay together and leverage a fully equipped kitchen, plus amenities like a washer/dryer, while also having comfortable, private bedrooms. They even have some pet-friendly rentals!

Recovery the Next Day

Perhaps your après ski plans need to extend to the following day to help your body fully recover from your efforts on the slopes. Book yourself an IV drip at Prime IV, and schedule a physical therapy treatment at Concierge Physical Therapy – you’ll be feeling brand new and ready to plan your next ski trip.