How to Create the Perfect Après-Ski Night In at Your Ellicottville Airbnb
If your ideal après-ski scene is less “crowded bar” and more “cozy house party with your favorite people,” the Ellicottville Farmhouse is the perfect place to do it. Pack up your husband and kids, call your favorite couple with kids around the same age (bonus if one is old enough to be the “babysitter”), and turn your stay into a relaxed, at-home après-ski experience no one has to drive home from.
No worries—no one is leaving the Ellicottville Farmhouse. Everything you need for the perfect evening is right here.
Step 1: Set Up the Ultimate Kids’ Zone in the Living Room
Start by claiming the living room as the kids’ HQ for the night. Spread out blankets, toss extra pillows on the floor, and put out a basket of board games, coloring supplies, and small toys. This becomes their hangout while the adults enjoy their own après-ski moment just steps away.
Add a few special touches:
Matching pajamas for the kids so the night feels like a big group sleepover
Cute cocoa cups or mugs ready at the coffee table
A simple rule: once everyone is in pajamas, the “party” officially begins
The kids feel like they’re getting something special, and you can keep an eye on everything while still relaxing.
Step 2: Build a Cozy Hot Cocoa Bar
Après-ski is all about warm drinks, and a build-your-own hot cocoa bar is a hit with both kids and adults. Clear a small section of the kitchen counter just for this.
Set out:
Big mugs and cute kid-sized cocoa cups
Hot chocolate in a crockpot or large pot
Toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and chocolate chips
For the grown-ups, add “upgrade” options like flavored syrups or liqueurs to make it feel a little more elevated. Let everyone customize their perfect mug before they settle in.
Step 3: Post Up at the Kitchen Bar – Adult Après-Ski Starts Here
While the kids get cozy in the living room, the adults can post up at the kitchen bar or island—arguably the best spot in the house for après-ski. This is where you mix drinks, snack, and catch up without feeling rushed.
Make it feel intentional:
Prep a simple snack spread: charcuterie, dips, or flatbreads
Play a chill playlist in the background
Shake up a signature après-ski martini (a martini glass is highly recommended—it makes everything feel a little extra fun)
Dress a little extra cute, even if you’re staying in. Think cozy-cute après-ski outfits—soft sweaters, leggings, faux-fur vests, or a fun statement top. Need ideas? Browse options like these for inspiration: https://amzn.to/4booP41
Step 4: Create a Loose “Schedule” (Without Over-Planning)
To keep the night simple, think in loose phases instead of a rigid plan:
Early evening: Kids unwind, adults prep drinks and snacks
After dinner: Cocoa bar, martinis, games, or conversation at the island
Later: Kids’ movie in the living room, adults move to the couch or stay at the bar
Since you’re all under one roof, everyone can move in and out of each space naturally. No designated driver, no herding tired kids out of a restaurant—just easy, at-home flow.
Step 5: Lean Into the “We’re Not Going Anywhere” Feeling
The best part of an après-ski night in at the Ellicottville Farmhouse is that once you arrive, you’re done. No roads, no parking, no waiting in line. Just:
Warm lighting and comfy seating
Snow outside the windows
Your favorite people in one place
Let the night run long if you want. Put on a second movie. Pour another round. Sit around the kitchen bar and tell stories while the kids pile up in the living room. This is the vacation magic they’ll talk about long after the snow melts.
