New England Has 2 Of The Best Après Ski Bars In North America

With many ski resorts and mountains now open for the season, it's fair game to start thinking about that post-session drink. In recognition of this, USA Today's 10BEST recently named the best après ski bars in the North America and two New England establishments were featured.

Of course, hitting the trails on a day of fresh powder is the main attraction. Especially when it's your first visit to the mountain of the season. The excitement of first sitting on the chairlift while the freezing wind gust hits your face is unmatched. Then, calling it a day and then hitting the après ski bar on the grounds to reward yourself is the next best feeling of the day.

Some of your company may ditch the skiing or snowboarding altogether and give you an "I'm' good waiting for you in the lodge. I'll just chill here." Perhaps they are just saving you a stool. But what makes a great après ski bar? There are some basic essentials.

Cold local brews on tap or in a custom ice-cold can always provide that authentic local mountain flavor. An acoustic band or singer-songwriter playing some upbeat tunes to the crowd of wind-burned faces also compliments the occasion. Lastly, this time of year there are often football games that can be on the TV's overhead.

Though the best après ski bars in America are located on both coasts, they all have a common theme. They all offer "top-notch food, drink, and atmosphere — a perfect setting to close out a perfect day on the snow," 10BEST states.

Here Are The Two New England après ski bars that are among the best spots in the North America. They are both based in New Hampshire.

This bar has the perfect mountain barn feel. Iron Furnace Brewing is near Cannon Mountain and Loon Mountain. They offer a revolving selection of seven different craft beers. If you like what you are tasting, Iron Furnace also offers packs of cans to go.

The food menu complements both skiing and homebrew pints perfectly. House-made paninis and unique appetizers like grilled cheese dippers are available to eat after your day of skiing.

Travel about 16 miles down the road, and you will arrive at the next best après ski bar in New England. Also in New Hampshire, Woodstock Inn Brewery is a stone's throw from Bretton Woods and Loon Mountain as well. They offer brewery tours and have eight craft brews on tap all season. Then, there's also a rotation three other specialty beers.

As for bites, their soft pretzels with pig's ear cheddar cheese sauce and maple mustard is not to be missed.

As a father of four, my mornings are always a bit hectic. I enjoy being an early bird; however, I rarely have the time to prep a good breakfast. Therefore, I was quite thrilled to see that Tasting Table recognized three New England restaurants for having the best breakfast sandwiches in the country. I'm always looking for a good quick breakfast.

A morning in my world usually consists of a sunrise workout, followed by a scramble to get myself and the kids out of the house. Then I embark on an hour-long drive to the office. On the weekends, it's taking one of my kids to their sports game. Let's focus on the latter for a moment.

While I am more lenient on my breakfast choice (a banana or shake will do), I insist upon a healthy start for the little guys. Driving them all around New England on weekends requires a few drive-thru meals that you eat in the car. My preference is for the kids to have something substantial, with a protein they enjoy. A breakfast sandwich is often the choice.

The perfect breakfast sandwich should follow three simple rules. It's quick, both to order and make. It's fresh (not a microwaved egg slab pulled out of plastic). Finally, it's a balanced hand-held item that is not too heavy, processed or sugar-filled.

When trekking through interstates and unfamiliar towns at sunrise, it's easy to settle upon the quickest Dunkin' Donuts. Now, there are some other options that you (and I) should know about. These three New England restaurants ranking among the best breakfast sandwiches in the country.

Before we get into the list, it is necessary to give one other shout-out. The Portland, Oregon establishment named by Tasting Table has both the best restaurant and sandwich name. The "Yolko Ono" by Fried Egg I'm In Love.

Sofra Bakery and Café in Cambridge, MA, is the first stop. Tasting Table calls out "Geno's Egg Sandwich." This is a brioche bun filled with egg topped with halloumi cheese, feta butter, tomato concasse, and spicy green cilantro.

Next, we hop on 95 North and pull into the Elephantine Bakery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Here the selected breakfast sandwich is called the "Egg Simit." It's the healthiest of the three choices based on pure ingredients. This sandwich consists of egg, hummus, beat pistachio spread, feta, and spinach on a sesame simit.

I actually had a very hard time securing a quick bacon, egg, and cheese this past spring while in Maine for a lacrosse tournament. Now I know I need to go to a coffee shop next time. Tandem Coffee has something so good, it doesn't even need a clever name. "The Breakfast Sandwich" is simply egg, American cheese, and smoked paprika. However, when you rest it upon a homemade buttermilk biscuit, you reach a new level.