Crystal Moutain's Snorting Elk Cellar

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Photo by: Mark Lesh

I had the good fortune of being at Washington's Crystal Mountain this season on a Monday after a seven-foot storm that pushed snow totals for the season over 500 inches. What had been a rough start to the season in the Northwest, with a brutal January high-pressure spell, was quickly forgotten. But what made this lucky trip memorable was the après at the Snorting Elk Cellar. Burger Monday with a few (or six) Deschuttes Porters was the perfect capper to a day of non-stop powder laps. The Snorting Elk, located below the Alpine Inn at the base of Crystal is a Bavarian-style rathskeller with a little deli in the back, ski flicks on the television, and all kinds of old-school ski gear on the walls. It’s the kind of place where any skier would be happy. Needless to say I extended my stay at Crystal to slay more powder, but mostly to catch Taco Tuesday at the Snorting Elk.  —Mark Lesh

Snorting Elk Cellar

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