It’s official: Utah is #1!
If you’re reading this blog, it’s likely you already know that, or at least suspect it. But as of October 11, 2025, Utah is back on top of the (shot) ski world!
That’s right. On October 11, 2025, 1,410 people came together on Park City’s iconic Main Street to reclaim the “Longest Shot Ski in the World” record and raised a boatload for local causes in the process!
This was just the latest in an ongoing and storied rivalry with our neighbors to the east in Colorado, as Park City and Breckenridge, CO have battled for the title of world’s longest shot ski in the past decade.
All of this commotion over shot-skiing got me thinking…Where did the silly tradition that is the shot ski begin? And what are the best ski bars in Utah to indulge in this timeless ski tradition?
Let’s investigate.
The shot ski is a uniquely communal invention, born out of ski culture and a desire for shared celebration. Its origins are somewhat murky, but most accounts trace it back to ski towns in the 1950s and 1960s, where après-ski revelry was as much a part of the slopes as the skiing itself. Early skiers, looking for a fun way to toast a successful day on the mountain, began affixing multiple shot glasses to a single ski, allowing everyone in a group to take a shot simultaneously. What started as a simple party gimmick quickly became a symbol of camaraderie.
The concept caught on rapidly in European ski resorts, particularly in the Alps, before spreading to North America’s Rocky Mountains and beyond. By the 1980s, shot skis were a staple of ski lodges and bars, often used to mark special occasions or victories on the slopes. The activity’s charm lies in its simplicity: a shared moment, a bit of balancing skill, and the inevitable laughter that comes from trying to coordinate a dozen or more shots at once.
Over time, shot skis evolved from casual ski lodge fun to events in their own right. Ski towns began hosting competitions for the “longest shot ski” or the “largest shot ski gathering,” turning what was once a small after-ski indulgence into a quirky but highly anticipated spectacle. Today, the shot ski represents more than just drinking; it embodies the playful, social spirit of ski culture, bridging generations of skiers and snowboarders who come together to celebrate another great day out on the hill.
Now for the most important part of this article – in no particular order, where are the best ski bars to enjoy the time-honored tradition of the shot ski right here in the Beehive State?
Behold: The Utah Shot Ski Trail!
1. The Sticky Wicket – Deer Valley Resort
Step back in time to the Golden Era of skiing at the Sticky Wicket. Nestled in the Silver Lake Lodge, the Sticky Wicket serves refined après drinks and a rowdy shot ski tradition for a resort known for elegance. It’s the perfect blend of Deer Valley polish and ski-town mischief, a great way to kick off your Utah Shot Ski Trail.
2. The Peruvian Bar (P-Dog) – Peruvian Lodge, Alta
Head up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Alta, where the Peruvian Bar (affectionately “P-Dog”) channels pure retro ski culture. With live music, locals, and a ready shot ski behind the bar, it’s après in its truest form.
3. Snowbird Tram Club – Snowbird
Just a short ride down canyon, Snowbird’s Tram Club is legendary for its après energy. Their custom shot skis are as iconic as the Snowbird tram itself. If you’re skiing here on a weekend, you’ll likely see one in action. Stick around for the TC’s shot-and-a-beer deal, which remains inflation-proof at $6.
4. Molly Green’s – Brighton
Head over to Big Cottonwood Canyon. Cozy, A-framed, wood-paneled, and perched right on the slopes, Molly Green’s is a Brighton classic. Order a pizza, grab a local craft beer, and round up your friends for a celebratory ski shot — it’s a rite of passage here.
5. Thirsty Squirrel – Solitude Mountain Resort
Next stop: Solitude. Don’t be fooled by the name, après here gets lively fast. The Thirsty Squirrel serves up craft brews, live music, and the occasional group shot ski to toast another perfect powder day.
6. The Corner Store Pub & Grill – Park City Mountain
Back in Park City, The Corner Store at the base of the resort is a shot ski hotspot. On sunny afternoons, expect the patio to fill up with skiers clinking (and slightly wobbling) their way through a shared round.
7. No Name Saloon – Park City
Main Street’s most famous bar and a partner in the World’s Longest Shot Ski event, No Name is practically the epicenter of Utah’s shot ski scene. If you only do one stop on the trail, make it this one.
8. The Spur Bar & Grill – Park City
Just a few doors up from No Name, The Spur combines live music, late-night mountain energy, and a well-practiced shot ski setup. It’s the perfect place to keep the celebration going.
9. Canyonside Bar & Grill – Beaver
For the grand finale, venture south to Eagle Point, Utah’s under-the-radar gem. The lodge bar embraces the shot ski tradition with small-town charm, epic views, and a genuine sense of mountain camaraderie.
10. Owl Bar – Sundance Mountain Resort
No Utah shot ski adventure is complete without a stop at Sundance’s iconic Owl Bar. Rebuilt from the actual 1890s bar frequented by Butch Cassidy’s gang, Owl Bar blends rustic Western history with Sundance’s signature artsy, intimate après vibe. While the atmosphere leans craft-cocktail and cozy, the staff is known to break out a shot ski for groups looking to turn their quiet night into something a little more celebratory.
