Spring skiing means
sunscreen, softening snow and salt on your rim, right? Time to break
out the tequila along with those sunglasses to celebrate March
madness on the slopes.
I can’t think of a better après ski drink than a salty yet sweet
margarita, in a miniature hot tub-shaped glass. Whether you like
your ‘rita frozen, fruity, strong and straight, or coated with
enough salt to de-ice your windshield, here are some Mexican joints
in the mountains serving up this specialty cocktail.
In
Vermont,
The Cactus Café is located on The Mountain Road in
Stowe. The Cactus
Café mantra, “Life’s too short to drink cheap tequila!” is your
first indication that this place takes its below the border
beverages very seriously. With the self-proclaimed largest selection
of Tequila in Vermont, the Cactus Café is worth its weight in Cuervo
Gold. The après ski atmosphere inside the brick farmhouse is
southwest adobe complete with spicy aromas wafting through the air.
Their trademark drink is the “Mansfield Margarita,” but all their
margaritas are handmade and generous at 16 ounces. If you’re a
purist, the list of tequila shots served will make you studder, or
stagger in your ski boots.
To accompany your cocktails, you’ll find classic
fajitas, chimichangas, along with unique Cactus kabobs. I have been
conducting my own global salad tasting tour, and the Cactus Café’s
Chicken Chalupa salad remains on my top ten list.
Okemo
serves mountainside Mexican fare in
the base lodge’s Sitting Bull. Okemo is known for its focus on
culinary (not to be confused with “ski area food”), and their
handmade, hand shaken margaritas are exceptional. For apres ski,
enjoy staples like
nachos and chili to compliment your salty drink. And there are often live bands
playing in The Bull.
At
Maine's
Sunday River, you have a choice of Gringo Harry’s located slopeside
in the Fall Line condominiums, or Cantina del Rio on the
Sunday River Road across from Sun valley Sports.
Gringo Harry’s margaritas are all made with fresh lime and shaken,
whether you choose “Traditional,” “Gringo” made with Quantro, or
“Grande” with Grand Marnier. Harry also recommends the “Horny
Gringo” made with Hornitos tequila.
Gringo Harry says, “Margaritas are a great après ski drink, they’re
not too pretentious, perfect for relaxing and blowing off steam with
like-minded people, other skiers and riders, after a day on the
slopes.”
In Conway, New Hampshire, Café Noche on Main Street is the best
little Mexican watering hole in the
Mount
Washington Valley. After skiing at
Cranmore,
Attitash,
Wildcat, or
Black, slide up
to the bar for a “Horny Margarita”. Owner Tom Kugel says the key to
a good marg is good
tequila, so he recommends Hornitos 100% Agave
tequila for those who don’t have a special tequila preference. The
Café has over 25 varieties of margaritas on the menu to peruse.
The
Mexican food served at Café Noche is good quality at a very good
price, suited to the casual but warm environment. Kugel said Café
Noche appeals to skiers, “Skiers are relaxed but adventurous, so
they like to try special drinks, and spicy food, and even unusual
items like buffalo. Skiers are fun, happy people, and when they come
in to Café Noche after a day on the slopes - that is what they
experience here.”
