We’re not ashamed to admit that sometimes the best part of the ski day is après ski. So go ahead and steal first chair at Ski Bowl, Timberline or Meadows, but take time to enjoy the post-mountain scene in Hood River.

Refuel with pizza, and you’ve got several options. Between Mt. Hood and town, check out the Sawtooth Roadhouse on Highway 35 for build-your-own or more than a dozen specialty pizzas. At Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom we recommend thin crusted “The Buffy;” it comes out of the oven hot and fast. Order a whole pie at Andrew’s Pizza and Bakery — we like Veggie Myte — or choose from various pizza by the slice opetions.

If you’ve got a designated driver, we can endorse a visit to Hood River’s growing “Ale Alley.” Right downtown, you’ll find the tried and true Full Sail Brewing Co., popular Double Mountain Brewery, and new-kid-on-the-block The Pint Shack. Big Horse Brew Pub looks out over downtown, and if you make it up to The Heights, stop in at Volcanic Bottle Shop.

After dinner java options are plentiful if you need to hit the road. Ground, on the east end of town, serves organic caffeine in eco-retro style and roasts in-house, daily. Doppio Coffee + Lounge is pouring locally roasted, fair trade and organically grown coffee from Pacific Rim Coffee Roasters. Dog River Coffee serves up Stumptown with flair. Up on The Heights, 10-Speed Coffee roasts its own beans in small, delicious batches and offers fresh pour-overs.

Come on out and visit the Hood!