You might be planning your first ski trip, or perhaps it’s just your first visit to a European ski resort. And you’ve heard all about après ski.. That slightly bewildering European practice which seems to involve copious amounts of drinking, probably starting at midday, and then ending with dancing on the table to European pop.
While apres ski is often seen as wild and crazy, there are many levels of what are actually considered apres ski – as we’re about to find out.
So lets dig in and demystify the world of après ski.
What is après ski?
While après ski simply means ‘after skiing’ (in French, in case you missed that), the actual activities associated with apres tend to include anything that happens either towards the end of a ski day, or off the slopes.
Apres ski is usually shorthand for drinking. But it can also be a relaxing activity that takes place once you’ve taken your ski boots off, and hung up your skis or snowboard for the day.
However, it’s worth noting that apres, or after, can be a bit of a misnomer. A lot of apres activity happens on the mountain – for example drinks at lunch, dancing at the bar halfway down the mountain or sometimes even attending a festival venue which is only accessible on the actual pistes.
And while the term après ski is of course French, it is used at resorts across Europe, from the Spanish Pyrenees to the Bulgarian Pirin Mountains (and pretty much all points in between).
Après ski and drinking
Lets be brutally honest here – European ski culture does focus quite heavily on drinking. And it’s not uncommon to see people enjoying a beer or glass of wine with their lunch before getting back on the snow for the afternoon.
But while it is a part of the culture, it isn’t actually a pre-requisite to enjoying the mountain views and activities. Plenty of people will spend weeks touring the Alps, and not touch a drop.
But… That being said, if you’re coming for the ‘authentic’ apres ski scene, you will probably end up enjoying some of these drinks:
- Vin chaud: Warm wine, typically a spiced wine mix with notes of orange and cinnamon added. It’s usually weaker than norma wine due to the mix with orange juice and is often one of the cheaper drinks on the mountain.
- Gluhwein: The Germanic name for vin chaud – basically the same thing.
- Peach schnapps: Popular and ubiquitous liqueur found often in Austria, Switzerland and actually all over the Alps…
- Génépi: French herbal liqueur which is usually served as a digestif after meals, but also makes a great shot for those wild sessions.
- Jagermeister: Famous herbal liqueur from Germany found all across the Alps. And not always served as a jagerbomb either…
- Aperol Spritz: Popular Italian orange liquer served mixed with prosecco and soda. Campari is an alternative for those who prefer their spritz with a little more depth.
- Vodka: If you’re skiing in Poland or the Eastern European resorts, vodka is cheap, smooth and drunk like water (kinda) after a day on the slopes.
- Kirsch: A cherry liqueur particularly popular in Switzerland and often used in cocktails too.
This isn’t a definitive guide to après ski drinks, and you’ll find bars on the mountain and off, offering all manner of concoctions.
And, of course, beer and wine are popular too – with great options for local wines and beers across the region.
Non-alcoholic après ski drinks
You don’t need to get on the sauce to enjoy the après ski scene. Some of the most pleasant après ski drinks are non-alcoholic including hot chocolate, coffee (often espresso), non-alcoholic cocktails and soft drinks.
Whatever it is that whets your whistle and recharges your batteries after a solid day of slope sliding.
How to find the best après ski bars
In most resorts, finding the most vibesin après ski bar usually means following your ears or the crowds. In fact you’ll usually hear the music and the crowds before you even see the bar.
In some places, the best après ski bar is on the hill itself, or at least the first stop is. Most Austrian ski resorts will feature a raucous bar on the return run to the resort – just keep your ears open for thumping Euro-pop and cheesy dance hits.
France also offers plenty of opportunities to party on the mountain – with resorts such as Les Deux Alpes, Avoriaz and Val Thorens offering tempting opportunities to start dancing from lunch time.
What to expect in these places?
Usually loud cheesy music that people can sing along to (often in English, but also often in the local language too), deep queues at the bar, dancing on the tables in ski boots and probably a lot of people smoking cigarettes.
Folie Douce
The obvious option in France is usually La Folie Douce, which is a popular chain of bars which are infamous for their après ski parties. Originating in Val d’Isere, you’ll find Folie Douce bars in some of the most popular French ski resorts including:
- Avoriaz
- Chamonix
- Meribel
- Val Thorens
- Megeve
- Alpe d’huez
You’ll often spy Folie Douce due to the huge crowds, probably a DJ playing a set outside and people table dancing in garish day-glo ski suits.
Live music bars, clubs and other venues
While the party usually starts at the first bar off the mountain, people do take their time to go home, take a shower and find their après ski style for the evening before heading out to a restaurant or bar.
Resorts like Mayrhofen, St Anton/Lech, Morzine and Chamonix usually offer plenty of entertainment well into the night.
It’s totally reasonable to head back to your hotel or apartment, kick off the clunky ski boots and freshen up before heading back out again for dinner, drinks and dancing. I’ll be honest, a cheeky disco nap also works wonders and can really help to extend your party too.
Sometimes you’ll spot posters for events, sometimes you’ll have to sniff it out yourself.
An example of an après ski live music bar is Chambre Neuf in Chamonix which hosts live bands every night and is almost always rammed to the rafters. But, honestly, you’ll find one of these bars in almost every European ski resort.
What to wear for apres ski
Depending on where you are and what time of day it is, your ski gear (ie, ski jacket, ski pants and boots) are very much par for the course. Even if you’ve come off the mountain and straight into the bar or restaurant, it’s not unusual to see people walking around in their ski or snowboard boots well into the night.
But, of course, that’s not the most comfortable option.
Heading home to change is totally fine. And most people will wear casual wear such as wooly jumpers and walking shoes for the rest of the evening. But then, apres ski attire in Gstaad is totally different to apres ski attire in Morzine…
Read more: Apres ski outfit ideas
Typical après ski activities
Because après ski refers to any activity you do after skiing, the term can apply to a huge variety of things. And while the hoardes do tend to pour into the first bar at the bottom of the return slope, or gondola – which will be rammed come 4:30pm during the ski season, you don’t have to start dancing on tables.
Some other fun things to do as part of your after ski activities, might include:
Dog sledding
A popular activity across European ski resorts, dog sledding can be a fun way to see other parts of the ski resort using traditional transport. It’s not the cheapest option, but it can be a lot of fun.
Fat Bikes
eBikes with fat tyres, also known as fat bikes, are a popular option across most ski resorts. This is also because ski resorts tend to double as mountain bike resorts out of season, so if you want to explore the trails in a different way this is a fun and affordable way to have some après ski fun…
Night skiing
Not had enough time on the mountain yet? Many ski resorts offer night skiing for several hours, either once or twice a week, or on a daily basis. This tends to be on lower altitude slopes, for a shorter distance – but its a great experience and one that you really should take if you get the opportunity.
Ice skating
While you would think this was more popular in the Alpine regions, it weirdly isn’t. There are ice rinks in some of the larger ski resorts such as Zermatt in Switzerland, Morzine, Les Deux Alpes and Megeve in France; and Passo do Tonale in Italy.
Spa or swimming pool
A relaxing swim or a steam bath might be most relaxing post ski activities – and if your hotel offers spa treatments, consider booking in before you head out in the morning.
Hot tubs
If your hotel or apartment has a hot tub, then lucky you… A great way to unwind in the hot bubbles with a cool glass of bubbles!
Dining out
You’re not short of great food options across European ski resorts, and a big part of any après ski experience will be the food. Whether enjoying the Michelin starred restaurants of Courchevel or Verbier, or grabbing some authentic fondue or raclette from a family run diner down a side street. Food is definitely one of the best après ski activities.
Night clubs
Some resorts are more lively than others in this respect. But if you’re looking to party the night away you’ll probably be looking for the Austrian resorts of Ischgl, St Anton or Mayrhofen; the French mega-resorts of Val Thorens, Morzine and Tignes; or gems such as Bansko in Bulgaria, Zakopane in Poland or Pas de la Casa in Andorra.
‘Gentlemens clubs’
Strip clubs aren’t ubiquitous in Euro ski resorts – but you will find them if you’re looking for that type of thing. Austrian resorts often have a smattering of lady based entertainment and you’ll usually find at least one in the major Italian ski resorts. If thats what you’re really looking for, head to Bulgaria or Poland, as you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Music festivals
Time your trip right and you might hit a whole music festival. The big ones are Snowboxx, TomorrowLand and Snowbombing. But there are lots of mid-sized and smaller ski festival resorts such as Caprices.
Read our guide: Ski resort music festivals
Best destinations for après ski
If you’re specifically looking for the best European ski resorts for après ski, we think these are the best options:
- St Anton, Austria
- Mayrhofen, Austria
- Ischgl, Austria
- Val d’Isere/Tignes, France
- Les Deux Alpes, France
- Val Thorens/Les Trois Vallees, France
- Verbier, Switzerland
- Bansko, Bulgaria
- Borovets, Bulgaria
- Pas de la Casa, Andorra
- Sierra Nevada, Spain
Après ski is of course totally subjective, and you might simply want to enjoy a relaxing time with friends while enjoying some delicious food in your catered chalet. Or, you might be raring to get out there, sing your lungs out and drink more schnapps than is really advisable.
Whatever your plans, get out there, have an awesome time. Oh… And stay safe!
thanks, interesting read
Thanks David!