Why is it that the bike, surf and skate industry have all incorporated bottle openers into their gear, but the ski industry hasn’t? What’s the deal? Words & photos :: Colin Field.

Bicycle companies have built openers into their frames, seats, dropouts, pedals, just about anything you can think of. And heck, you can just spin a wheel to open a bottle off the spokes. Easy peasy.

There are bottle opener flip flops (a good idea until you step in dog shit) and Santa Cruz skateboard company has skate decks with openers built into the deck.

What’s the deal ski/snowboard companies? Haven’t you heard of apres?

This is where Thornbury Craft’s Blue Mountain Light Lager comes in. This carefully handcrafted beer is brewed in small batches true to traditional style. It’s ultra-premium beer that is locally brewed for superior freshness. This clean, dry and refreshing pale lager is as hydrating as it is delicious and it’s the perfect quaffable bevvy for a great day on the slopes.

So here’s four ways to open one with your ski or snowboard gear:

Board

Leverage is the key to opening bottles. You want to get a firm grip on the neck of the bottle, apply the steel edge of the board (or ski) just under the lid and pry solidly and confidently. If you’ve recently had your edges sharpened, be careful! And obviously when your ski or snowboard tech asks about the bottle-cap-shaped bite marks in your freshly waxed P-Tex, plead the fifth.

Bindings

There has got to be a way to open a beer with these crazy contraptions huh? Snowboard bindings not so much, but ski bindings? They’re the perfect place to throw in an opener (hint hint entire ski industry). With the wide array of bindings on the market these days, each manufacturer will have their bottle opener pros and cons. We tried with some telemark bindings and they work perfectly. The other perks of having a telemarker along for the ride? They’ll be well-prepared for 4:20.

Boots

The toe of a ski boot is the perfect spot to open a beer bottle. You know those cool dudes that can just hammer a bottle on the edge of a counter and open a beer bottle? Same principles apply here. Get your boot on a solid flat surface with the toe overhanging the edge. Rest the edge of the cap on the toe and hammer down on the lid from above. A good grip and commitment are key here. Send it!

Buckles

If ever there was a perfect spot to put a bottle opener, the ski boot buckle has got to be it. And yet, it hasn’t been done. So we’re forced to beat the system and improvise. Full Tilt boots have some pretty bottle-opening-friendly buckles. They worked for us. It’s okay to take your boots off to do this, although you get bonus points for leaving your boots on long into the night.

Thornbury Village Craft Cider and Beer

Located in the Blue Mountains Ontario, the Thornbury Village Brewery’s beer is carefully handcrafted. They are committed to brewing small-batch European style pilsners and lagers that are true to traditional style, with the added freshness of a local product. The commitment to quality has proudly placed Thornbury Village Craft Beer on the award-winning map.

They’re currently building a full-sized brewery in Thornbury and strive to be Ontario’s leading cidery and brewery experience.

Contest alert! Thornbury Craft is giving away the ultimate Canadian experience!

Want to win an Igloo experience for 4 people? They’ll even throw in a some beer or cider, snacks and a Blue Mountain Lager prize pack for everyone! All you have to do is use #thornburycraft on social media to be entered to win!