Snowmass will be the place in March that will shake up the après scene, with the recent announcement of a new cocktail classic to be held for four days.

 The Après Ski Cocktail Classic will be headquartered at the new Westin & Wildwood Snowmass Resorts March 14-17.

The event will feature après-ski culture with everything from hot toddies and mountain-top parties to seminars and fireside chats in the grand tasting village.

“What could be more fun than bringing together the craft of the cocktail with old-school après-ski?” said co-founder Kim Haasarud in a press release. “Both require great ingredients, a sense of humor, and a bit of balance at altitude.”

An assembly of the nation’s top brand ambassadors and spirit aficionados will be on hand, pouring uncommon spirits, champagnes and cocktails. Confirmed talent includes such top-shelf names as Tony Abou-Ganim, Steve Olson and Charlotte Voisey, to name a few.

Events include opening night celebrations, a grand tasting village, grand reserve room, daily seminars, a cocktail competition challenging local bars and restaurants to make their mark on the event, and a St. Patrick’s Day send-off.

The series of seminars and fireside chats are presented by industry professionals who will offer tasting tours of domestic and international single-malt scotches, bourbons, cognacs and armagnacs. Master mixologists and top chefs will teach guests how to prepare updated versions of classic après-ski drinks like Irish coffee and hot toddies, as well as après ski food like cheese fondue and raclette.

At the grand tasting village, guests will receive their own snifter glass for sipping cognac, in between a sampling of rare and premium spirits, champagnes and toddies. Interspersed with all those offerings will be artisanal sodas, fine chocolates and other small bites.

A VIP grand reserve tasting room will offer participants afternoon-long grand tastings of reserve spirits, liqueurs and champagnes.

Skiers and non-skiers will find another way to imbibe or simply start the day with pre-ski pop-up bars serving creatively-spiced bloody mary’s, mimosas and bellinis, juices, smoothies and gourmet hot chocolate.

For event information, visit www.apresskicc.com [1].