Experiences

The Chicest Après-Ski in Big Sky: Sip Champagne at La Grande Après

This season, book a ski trip to Big Sky, Montana, for a fabulous après-ski experience.

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La Grande Après Champagne
La Grande Après has a decadent menu

La Grande Après Is the Chicest Après-Ski in Big Sky

Your afternoon après-ski just became a lot more decadent, thanks to a partnership between Montage Big Sky and Veuve Cliquot La Grande Dame. The two luxury powerhouses joined forces to create La Grande Après, an elegant après-ski experience at Backcast, the resort’s outdoor restaurant and Champagne bar. 

The menu features elevated takes on typical après-ski fare, and many dishes include local ingredients. There are plenty of elegant nibbles, including Belgian osetra caviar service, truffle popcorn, and smoked potato dip topped with kaluga caviar. If you’re looking for a hearty dish, warm up with Montana bison chili or the hearty brisket sandwich. 

The menu features plenty of dishes with caviar, like this potato dip
The menu features plenty of dishes with caviar, like this potato dip

La Grande Dame

For drinks, indulge in a flight of La Grande Dame, which includes a miniature vertical tasting of the 2012 and 2015 vintages alongside a glass of 2012 rosé. It’s the perfect way to experience the Champagne and discover the nuances that different vintages and age create. There’s also a unique tasting of two of France’s finest drinks — Champagne and Cognac. It pairs a glass of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015 with Hennessy Paradis, a rare and pricey cognac. Backcast also offers a wide selection of La Grande Dame by the bottle, including magnums and jeroboams for parties. 

So much of après-ski is about the vibe, not just the fabulous food and drinks, and Backcast does not disappoint. Italian artist Paola Paronetto designed custom objects and lighting for the space that nicely complement the labels and packaging she created for the new 2015 vintage of La Grande Dame. Custom pastel hues cover vases, lampshades, and bottles inspired by the famed Champagne. 

You can enjoy several vintages of La Grande Dame, including the new 2015.
You can enjoy several vintages of La Grande Dame, including the new 2015.

Enjoy the view

The restaurant’s glass walls highlight the gorgeous views and make you feel like you’re still outdoors while remaining toasty warm, and the space is filled with guests sipping bubbly. There are also tables outside for sunny afternoons. Some days, you might also find the resort’s friendly Director of Beverage, Oscar Chinchilla, sabering bottles of Champagne in the snow nearby.

Hotel guests will be sure to visit La Grande Après frequently during their stay, and it’s open to the public, as well. The best part? Montage Big Sky is ski-in/ski-out, so you don’t have to worry about finding a ride to get your skis back to your hotel. 

Montage Big Sky is ski-in/ski-out, so you can seamlessly head from the slopes to La Grande Après
Montage Big Sky is ski-in/ski-out, so you can seamlessly head from the slopes to La Grande Après

La Grande Après is open from 12 to 6 pm daily at Backcast at Montage Big Sky

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