IF YOU ARE SKIING AT MONARCH OR CRESTED BUTTE : On your way down , stop by Deerhammer ( www . deerhammer . com ) in Buena Vista . It is a “ grain to glass ” distillery , handling every step of the process by hand and constantly experimenting to produce a better product . Another great stop , especially if you own an electric vehicle that needs recharging ( available while you taste ), is Wood ’ s High Mountain ( www . woodsdistillery . com ) in Salida . Finally , if your trip takes you all the way to Crested Butte , find a great meal with a hand-made rum or cocktail at Montanya Distillers ( www . montanyarum . com ).
IF YOU ARE SKIING AT TELLURIDE : How about a visit to the Telluride Distilling Company ? Their hand-crafted peppermint schnapps is billed on their website as “ America ’ s first ” and their signature drink is appropriately called the Chairlift Warmer . They also serve vodka and other spirits in their tasting room ( www . telluridedistilling . com ).
IF YOU ARE SKIING AT PURGATORY : Drop by the Durango Craft Spirits distillery for a taste of award-winning Soiled Doves Vodka , Mayday Moonshine , and brand-new Cinder Dick Bourbon – all named for a piece of Durango ’ s history ( durangospirits . com ).
Of course , if you want to skip the skiing altogether and just settle in for a great-tasting product , there are loads of other distilleries to visit throughout Colorado . But let us offer one last word of advice : line up your designated driver now and don ’ t even think about driving home after indulging .
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