Today, FREESKIER declares Mont-Tremblant’s Le P’tit Caribou to be the king of North American après-ski destinations. After a month-long voting period, the 23-year-old watering hole topped the inaugural Elevated Après contest; by beating out more than 125 prestigious contenders and garnering the lion’s share of an astounding 257,833 votes, Le P’tit Caribou firmly cements itself as a must-visit destination for skiers with a penchant for cutting loose.
The votes are in… 2016 Elevated Après results:
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1. Le P’tit Caribou – Quebec
2. The Riverhouse – British Columbia
3. The Roost – Vermont
4. The Rack – Maine
5. The Pig Pen Saloon – Utah
6. No Name Saloon – Utah
7. Matterhorn – Maine
8. Mangy Moose – Wyoming
9. 9380 Prime – Colorado
10. Lone Peak Brewery – Montana
Since 1993, Le P’tit Caribou has inspired spirited nightlife at Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada—a ski hill and region known for its festive atmosphere as much as its top-notch skiing. Originally operating out of a 400-square-foot ski chalet, Le P’tit Caribou today boasts nearly 5,000 square feet over two floors, with five bar counters, a dance floor and a swanky lounge for private events. Whether indulging in an afternoon “casual” on the terrace or stomping to the beats of local DJs, bar-goers celebrate this place for its downright crazy character.
Owner of Le P’tit Caribou, Joshua Wilson, says of the place:
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“Over the past 23 years we have built a very strong connection with our local clientele. The Ptit Caribou means as much to them as it does to us… it has been their place forever and we never forget that. They are VIP for life, and no matter how busy the bar gets we always make sure they get special privileges and treatment. We know it’s that local feeling that makes for the amazing ambiance night after night, they are the reason why we have the best parties. Earlier this year we made a huge investment in renovating the entire bar, making it more open and conducive to bigger crowds and bigger parties. We can also better accommodate the crowds earlier in the day. We have a really nice, sunny terrace for après-ski, which now offers access to one of the bars from outside. Plus, lots of space to leave skis and snowboards, making it super comfortable and convenient for riders after their day on the hill. We also recently introduced an appetizer menu and invested in developing the best and most-decorated caesar on the mountain which we are very proud of. It’s unbeatable. We have also created a lot of successful events like the Caribou Cup [an annual springtime pond-skim extravaganza, now in its nineteenth season], we host many live shows throughout the year, we are active in the ‘Tremblant 24h,’ which is a major event at the resort every winter and also the Blues Fest in Summer.”
We must admit, it’s not entirely surprising to see Le P’tit Caribou top the charts. Ski Canada magazine has ranked the establishment as the top après-ski bar in eastern North America 10 years running. Forbes proclaims it to be the fourth best après-ski bar in the world. It was voted “best Mont-Tremblant bar” 22 years straight by locals and Men’s Journal, Canadian Traveler Magazine and National Geographic have also declared it to be a top après destination. One thing seems certain: Wild times await those who enter the Caribou’s domain.
Wilson asserts, “If you want to have a crazy nightlife experience unlike any other, let loose, meet great people, locals and tourists alike, this is the place. We want everyone that walks through our doors to have the time of their lives. It’s our mission.”
Having crowned the best après bars across North America we’ll soon hit the road on a full-fledged Elevated Après Tour, visiting many of the top-ranked spots along the way. From New England to the Rockies, we’ll be hosting an après-ski rager in a mountain town near you, no doubt. Stay tuned for an announcement on a full tour schedule, coming soon.
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