Pubs, Comfort Food and Dives: Where to Eat After Skiing in the Catskills

After a long, exhilarating day of shredding everything from bunny slopes to black diamonds, you deserve a hearty, decadent meal. Slope-side après-ski scenes may be good for a quick beer as you swap ski boots for comfy kicks, but for the ultimate upstate foodie experience, fuel up at these awesome spots near the Catskills’ most popular mountains.

Mountain: Belleayre Ski Center (Highmount, New York)

For intimate farm-to-table eats: Right up the road from this family-friendly beginners’ mountain lies the town of Pine Hill and the Zephyr Restaurant. This intimate farm-to-table eatery features big plates full of big flavor with dishes like grilled open-faced Berkshire pork garlic bratwurst and chicken pot pie — homestyle, free-range and local, of course. As a bonus, early birds on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday can take advantage of a three-course prix fixe from 4-6 p.m.

For classy cocktails and gastropub grub: If you’d like a more upscale option, drive east on Route 28 and indulge at The Peekamoose Restaurant and Tap Room in Big Indian. Grab an elegant cocktail to sip at the fire pit or order gastropub fare by the woodland-chic bar. For the full culinary experience, opt for the main dining room and local fare like pan-seared Beaverkill Hatchery rainbow trout or slow-braised beef short ribs.

Mountain: Hunter Mountain (Hunter, New York)

For kitschy home cooking: The advanced terrain and young vibe of Hunter Mountain attracts a set that is serious about its post-powder nourishment. For home cooking with a side of country kitsch, check out Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Cafe in Tannersville. The menu is packed with fill-you-up favorites like burgers, steaks, wraps and cheese plates. The sprawling beer menu will keep you buzzed as you peruse their old-fashioned candy and cheese shop. If you hit the right night, live music is on the menu too.

For a dive-bar delight: If you’re looking to celebrate your mastery of moguls in dive-bar bliss, head to The Spinning Room, a raucous bar with good pub eats like burgers and wings.

Mountain: Windham Mountain (Windham, New York)

For stick-to-your-ribs comfort food: The intermediate-level, laid-back vibe of Windham Mountain extends to the local scene where homey comfort is key. The hearty fare of Chicken Run Family Restaurant and Steak House will warm you right up after a day in the snow — think fried chicken, ribs, and steaks galore. Friday and Saturday nights feature live music, and the toasty fire pit is the perfect place for s’mores.

For craft-beer lovers: For lovely local brews, head to Cave Mountain Brewing Company, which boasts craft brewed beers and seasonal specialties made on-site. Wash down a cold one with the “Best Burger in the Hudson Valley,” as dubbed by Hudson Valley Magazine in 2011.

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