Sometimes after an exhausting and fun day skiing and snowboarding, the next item on the schedule is a nice relaxing stint at a bar. This type of après ski activity is not about finding a high end atmosphere, amazing drinks and food, or the cheapest prices in town. It is about kicking back and enjoying the company of a few friends and maybe meeting a few other skiers to share stories with. There are many bars in South Lake Tahoe to enjoy your après ski activities, but a couple of them are great for a ‘low key’ experience. Two in particular are the Fox & Hound bar on the Nevada side of town and Rojo’s on the California side of town.
Rojo’s has a small bar with a restaurant and its exterior and interior provide a tavern style atmosphere. The theme here is wood, which gives it a rustic feel. There are only a few chairs at the bar, which makes it perfect for keeping the vibe slow and easy. The bartenders are friendly and the crowds tend to be locals. The location isn’t too far from the base of Heavenly Ski Resort, but far enough so that the crowds don’t walk straight from the base of the Gondola into the bar. Hang out here for a few beers after your day on the mountain, and you are likely to have that low-key atmosphere you are looking for.
The Fox & Hound is located near the Stagecoach and Boulder lifts on the Nevada side of Heavenly Ski Resort. Its location away from the tourist center of South Lake Tahoe provides a tendency to attract the locals in the area, although since there is only one road heading in to this area it can become quite busy at times with tourists. However, for the most part this bar has a relaxed mood and its patrons return time and time again to relax after the ski lifts close.
Depending on where you are staying in South Lake Tahoe, either of these two bars should be within reasonable reach. Both are slightly on the outskirts of town, which of course allows them to avoid the mass of crowds that descend on the central bars and après ski activities around that area. If you are looking for that low-key spot, take a few minutes and head away from that central area and you might just find a new place to frequent on your tahoe ski vacations.
Note on the food quality at these bars:
If you are looking to snack or have a meal during your après ski activities at these bars, the food at both places are a step up from most mediocre bar quality food. The food at Rojo’s is mostly BBQ, and has good ribs. The food at Fox & Hound is actually very good, a significant upgrade from most other bars and seen by many as restaurant quality. Their pizza is highly recommended, as is their philly cheese steak sandwich. For those staying in the Kingsbury area, their breakfast is very good as well.