Ski Season · Travel Guide
What Is Après-Ski? The Complete Guide to the Best Part of a Ski Day, and Where to Do It
The last run is done, the boots are loosened and the first drink is on its way. Here is everything you need to know about après-ski, from what to wear and what to order to the towns that do it best.
Ask seasoned skiers about their favorite moment of a ski trip and many will not mention a single run. They will tell you about the hour after: the sun sliding behind the peaks, a warm drink in a cold hand, music drifting across a crowded terrace and everyone talking at once about the powder they found. That hour has a name, and it is one of the great traditions in travel.
Born in the Alps and now celebrated everywhere from Austria to Colorado, après-ski can be a rowdy table-dancing party, a glamorous Champagne toast or a quiet glass of red wine by the fire. Here is how to do it right.
The last run gets you down the mountain. Après-ski is why you remember the day.
Where après-ski came from
The phrase comes from the French-speaking Alps, where skiers have long gathered at the bottom of the slopes to warm up and celebrate the day. As skiing spread around the world, the ritual went with it. Today it is woven into ski culture everywhere, from the mountain huts of Austria to the hotel bars of the Rockies, and for many travelers it is as much a part of the trip as the skiing itself.
What to wear to après-ski
Here is the secret: most people go to après-ski exactly as they came off the mountain, in ski gear and boots, and nobody minds in the slightest. If you do change, the look is cozy chic. Think a chunky knit sweater, warm layers, insulated leggings or tailored pants, a statement beanie, and comfortable, stylish snow boots that can handle an icy walk back. Faux fur, rich textures and a little sparkle never hurt. The goal is to stay warm, feel comfortable and look as if the mountains suit you.
What to drink
The drinks are half the fun. Mulled wine, known as Glühwein in Austria and Germany and vin chaud in France, is the Alpine classic, served steaming in a mug. A hot toddy or a spiked hot chocolate will thaw cold fingers in minutes, local beers flow freely, and in glamorous resorts the toast is almost always Champagne. More and more ski towns are pouring creative winter cocktails too, and hot cider and cocoa without the spirits are just as much a part of the ritual.
Après-ski etiquette: 5 tips
- Time it right. Head down as the lifts start closing, usually between 3 and 4 p.m., to grab a spot.
- Ski down first, celebrate second. Save the drinks until you are off the mountain, or ride a lift down.
- Pace yourself. Alcohol can feel stronger at altitude, so drink water and eat something.
- Embrace the local style. Dance on the benches in Austria, sip Champagne in St. Moritz, settle by the fire in the Adirondacks.
- Never drive. Take the shuttle, a taxi or a walk back to your hotel.
5 of the best après-ski towns in the world
1. St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
The spiritual home of rowdy après-ski. When the lifts slow down, mountainside huts fill with skiers dancing on tables in their boots, and the party rolls downhill into the village as the sun sets. If you want to see après at full volume, start here.
2. St. Moritz, Switzerland
The glamorous end of the spectrum. Après in St. Moritz means Champagne on sun-drenched terraces, fur-trimmed everything and grand hotels that have hosted the jet set for generations. Plan your stay with our guide to the finest luxury hotels in St. Moritz.
3. Aspen, Colorado
America’s most famous ski town does après with star power, from slopeside Champagne to buzzing bars in town. A classic stop is the J-Bar at Hotel Jerome, Auberge Collection, a historic gathering place since the silver-mining days. Read why it is the best ski town in Colorado.
4. Courchevel, France
Polished, see-and-be-seen and very French. Courchevel’s après moves from long lunches on the mountain to cocktails in some of the most luxurious ski hotels in the Alps.
5. Deer Valley, Utah
Refined, relaxed and famously well run, with fireside lounges and slopeside terraces at the base of the lifts. The new East Village is adding even more places to unwind. See why Deer Valley East Village is the ski trip to book this winter.
Want the easiest après of all? Stay ski-in, ski-out, so the walk from the last run to the first drink is a few steps and the walk home is even shorter. Start with our guide to the best ski-in, ski-out resort hotels in the U.S.
Prefer a quieter après?
Not every après-ski has to be a party. Some of the most memorable evenings in ski country are spent sinking into a leather armchair in front of a stone fireplace with a glass of red wine while the snow keeps falling outside. For that kind of night, few places compare with the rustic luxury lodges of the Adirondacks; see why Lake Placid is New York’s best-kept winter secret. And for a historic hotel bar with a story to match, Hotel Jerome, Auberge Collection, in Aspen is hard to beat.
Après-Ski — At a Glance
- Meaning
- French for “after ski”
- When
- As the lifts close, usually 3–4 p.m., into the evening
- Where
- Slopeside bars, mountain huts, lodges and hotel lounges
- Wear
- Ski gear is fine; or cozy knits, warm layers and snow boots
- Drink
- Mulled wine, hot toddies, spiked hot chocolate, beer, Champagne
- Best towns
- St. Anton, St. Moritz, Aspen, Courchevel, Deer Valley
Plan Your Ski Trip
Ready for your own après-ski? Compare slopeside hotels and flights to the world’s best ski towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does après-ski mean?
Après-ski is French for “after ski.” It describes the social time that starts when skiers come off the mountain at the end of the day, gathering at slopeside bars, lodges and hotel lounges for drinks, food, music and conversation.
When does après-ski start?
Après-ski usually starts as the lifts begin to close, typically between 3 and 4 p.m., and can run into the early evening. In some European resorts, mountain huts get going even earlier, in the mid-afternoon.
What should I wear to après-ski?
Most people head to après-ski straight from the slopes, so ski gear and boots are completely normal. If you change, think cozy and stylish: a chunky knit sweater, warm layers, a statement beanie and comfortable insulated boots.
What do people drink at après-ski?
Classic après-ski drinks include mulled wine, hot toddies, spiked hot chocolate, local beers and Champagne, along with seasonal craft cocktails. Hot non-alcoholic drinks are just as much a part of the ritual.
Do you have to ski to go to après-ski?
No. Non-skiers are welcome at après-ski, and many people meet friends and family at the base or in the village once the lifts close. It is simply about gathering after a day in the mountains.
Where is the best après-ski in the world?
Famous après-ski destinations include St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria for its high-energy mountain huts, St. Moritz in Switzerland for glamour, Courchevel in France for polished luxury, and Aspen, Colorado, and Deer Valley, Utah, in the United States.
Is it safe to drink at high altitude during après-ski?
Alcohol can feel stronger at altitude, so pace yourself, drink plenty of water and eat something. Never drive after drinking, and use the resort shuttle, a taxi or a walk back to your hotel instead.
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