Après-ski in Austria
Austria is a popular destination with skiers and snowboarders thanks to the excellent skiing conditions, the reliable snow and the huge ski areas. But one of the main reasons this corner of the Alps is so popular is because of the legendary après-ski! After the last run, it’s time to get the party started! There is no shortage of clubs and bars on offer, each one with its own unique characteristics and a few in some truly spectacular locations right on the slopes. The choice is difficult – where do you begin? We've put together a list of the 15 best après-ski hotspots in Austria for our money!
This après-ski mecca is located smack dab in the centre of Flachau, right at the valley station of the 6-seater Star Jet lift. Founded in 1984, the Hofstadl was originally meant to be a cosy hut at the foot of the ski area. Well, it has since morphed into one of the most popular après-ski hotspots in Austria! There is even a very convenient slide for those who are, erm, unable to make it down the stairs after a few hours of drinking.
Hofstadl - Flachau
The Heidi & Peter in Kirchberg operates on an all-inclusive basis, the first après-ski bar of its kind in Austria. For a fixed price – around 20 euros for the first 100 people – skiers and snowboarders have access to all the wine, shots, sodas and Hofbräu München draught beer they can drink.
The Mooserwirt is one of Austria’s most legendary institutions, where the stars of the après-ski scene perform regularly. You’ll want to arrive early, as this bar in St. Anton am Arlberg fills quickly and the music only goes until 8pm.
The Goaßstall (“Goat’s Stall”) at Hinterglemm used to house cows, pigs, chickens and goats, and the latter have stuck around. You’ll find the four-legged version behind soundproofed glass, while two-legged goat mascots entertain partygoers in the après-ski bar. The Goaßstall also offers Dolby surround sound, classy cuisine and not-so-classy drinking games.
Goaßstall – Hinterglemm
Along the village street in Sölden-Hochsölden, every door leads to a nightclub or après-ski bar. But one après-ski joint you shouldn’t miss is the Fire & Ice, where skiers and snowboarders bop along to German pop stars. Après-ski chart-toppers, house music and today’s hit are played until 3am.
Skiers and snowboarders are spoiled for choice with Ischgl's après-ski scene. The iconic Trofana Alm at the foot of the ski area offers an après-ski bar, restaurant and nightclub all wrapped into one. You do, however, need to be a bit strategic with your timing depending on what you’re looking for. The restaurant opens from 11am-2pm and then again from 6pm-10pm, and the Trofana Alm turns into an après-ski joint and nightclub in between and afterwards.
Trofana Alm Ischgl
Live the high life at the Edelweissalm in Obertauern, 1850m above sea level. The Edelweissalm is open daily from 10am to 6:30pm, with groovy tunes by DJ C-MON starting from 3:30pm. You can dance either right on the ski slopes or on the benches – basically, if it’s fun it’s allowed (only dancing on the actual tables is frowned upon). Architecture buffs will appreciate the traditional architecture and the harmonious interior design.
The Mayrhofen Ice Bar is a well-known name at Mayrhofen and, indeed, within the Austrian après-ski scene in general. Many a skier or snowboarder has cut their ski day short to indulge in good times in this bar at the foot of the Penkenbahn. The modus operandi here is the more, the merrier! If you can’t find it, just look for the huge polar bear.
Ice Bar - Mayrhofen
The Hexenalm at Fiss scoops up skiers and snowboarders from 3pm to 7:30pm – it’s hard to miss the crowd on the terrace if you’re skiing the Schönjoch piste. Those travelling with children will be delighted to hear that there is a playground where you can entertain the little ones. Once the sun has disappeared behind the mountains, après-ski comes to an end.
The Kuhstall's motto is “Home of Wahnsinn” – home of madness – and it certainly lives up to its name. Located right at the Silvrettaberg lift, the queues to get into this après-ski bar reach insane levels during high season. Skiers and snowboarders can party here as long as they want.
Kuhstall – Ischgl
The Hohenhaus Tenne embodies the image of the classic après-ski bar. Found at the foot of the Planai piste in Schladming, it offers après-ski in the rustic Austrian style. The party is split across several floors, with plenty of room for revellers.
This alpine après-ski hotspot in Obertauern prides itself on being the “Mother of Après-Ski”. Starting from 3:30pm the Lürzer Alm gets going with DJs, a hoppin’ dance floor, Jagertee and Vodka Redbull, happy skiers and general good vibes. The Lürzer Alm is centrally located in the village, right by the slopes, and is a natural progression point for people leaving the Edelweissalm since the party doesn’t stop until 2am.
Lürzer Alm – Obertauern
You’ll find the Hinterhag Alm right at the end of the Kohlmais valley run in Saalbach. Since its inception, the Hinterhag Alm has earned a reputation for its legendary parties on two floors. The après-ski joint welcomes hordes of skiers and snowboarders every day who eagerly join in the Hinterhag’s famous “Herzeltanz” dance. Fun fact: In 1987, Julie Andrews and John Denver performed “Edelweiss” live in the Hinterhag Alm!
Directly across from the Fire & Ice in Sölden is the Schirmbar, a legendary après-ski spot. This status is partly thanks to DJ BOMBA, who has won the title of “Best DJ of the Mountains” several times at the “Top of the Mountains” awards. The umbrella bar closes at 8pm but they’ll warn you about last call to make sure everyone can get one more drink in.
Schirmbar – Sölden
If you’re down for a spot of early après-ski you’re in luck with Ischgl’s Paznauner Taja, which starts après-ski at lunchtime. Rock out to techno beats and classic après-ski hits at 2000m above sea level, and then head down to the valley at 4pm to continue the party.
Après-ski in Austria
Austria is a popular destination with skiers and snowboarders thanks to the excellent skiing conditions, the reliable snow and the huge ski areas. But one of the main reasons this corner of the Alps is so popular is because of the legendary après-ski! After the last run, it’s time to get the party started! There is no shortage of clubs and bars on offer, each one with its own unique characteristics and a few in some truly spectacular locations right on the slopes. The choice is difficult – where do you begin? We've put together a list of the 15 best après-ski hotspots in Austria for our money!
This après-ski mecca is located smack dab in the centre of Flachau, right at the valley station of the 6-seater Star Jet lift. Founded in 1984, the Hofstadl was originally meant to be a cosy hut at the foot of the ski area. Well, it has since morphed into one of the most popular après-ski hotspots in Austria! There is even a very convenient slide for those who are, erm, unable to make it down the stairs after a few hours of drinking.
Hofstadl - Flachau
The Heidi & Peter in Kirchberg operates on an all-inclusive basis, the first après-ski bar of its kind in Austria. For a fixed price – around 20 euros for the first 100 people – skiers and snowboarders have access to all the wine, shots, sodas and Hofbräu München draught beer they can drink.
The Mooserwirt is one of Austria’s most legendary institutions, where the stars of the après-ski scene perform regularly. You’ll want to arrive early, as this bar in St. Anton am Arlberg fills quickly and the music only goes until 8pm.
The Goaßstall (“Goat’s Stall”) at Hinterglemm used to house cows, pigs, chickens and goats, and the latter have stuck around. You’ll find the four-legged version behind soundproofed glass, while two-legged goat mascots entertain partygoers in the après-ski bar. The Goaßstall also offers Dolby surround sound, classy cuisine and not-so-classy drinking games.
Goaßstall – Hinterglemm
Along the village street in Sölden-Hochsölden, every door leads to a nightclub or après-ski bar. But one après-ski joint you shouldn’t miss is the Fire & Ice, where skiers and snowboarders bop along to German pop stars. Après-ski chart-toppers, house music and today’s hit are played until 3am.
Skiers and snowboarders are spoiled for choice with Ischgl's après-ski scene. The iconic Trofana Alm at the foot of the ski area offers an après-ski bar, restaurant and nightclub all wrapped into one. You do, however, need to be a bit strategic with your timing depending on what you’re looking for. The restaurant opens from 11am-2pm and then again from 6pm-10pm, and the Trofana Alm turns into an après-ski joint and nightclub in between and afterwards.
Trofana Alm Ischgl
Live the high life at the Edelweissalm in Obertauern, 1850m above sea level. The Edelweissalm is open daily from 10am to 6:30pm, with groovy tunes by DJ C-MON starting from 3:30pm. You can dance either right on the ski slopes or on the benches – basically, if it’s fun it’s allowed (only dancing on the actual tables is frowned upon). Architecture buffs will appreciate the traditional architecture and the harmonious interior design.
The Mayrhofen Ice Bar is a well-known name at Mayrhofen and, indeed, within the Austrian après-ski scene in general. Many a skier or snowboarder has cut their ski day short to indulge in good times in this bar at the foot of the Penkenbahn. The modus operandi here is the more, the merrier! If you can’t find it, just look for the huge polar bear.
Ice Bar - Mayrhofen
The Hexenalm at Fiss scoops up skiers and snowboarders from 3pm to 7:30pm – it’s hard to miss the crowd on the terrace if you’re skiing the Schönjoch piste. Those travelling with children will be delighted to hear that there is a playground where you can entertain the little ones. Once the sun has disappeared behind the mountains, après-ski comes to an end.
The Kuhstall's motto is “Home of Wahnsinn” – home of madness – and it certainly lives up to its name. Located right at the Silvrettaberg lift, the queues to get into this après-ski bar reach insane levels during high season. Skiers and snowboarders can party here as long as they want.
Kuhstall – Ischgl
The Hohenhaus Tenne embodies the image of the classic après-ski bar. Found at the foot of the Planai piste in Schladming, it offers après-ski in the rustic Austrian style. The party is split across several floors, with plenty of room for revellers.
This alpine après-ski hotspot in Obertauern prides itself on being the “Mother of Après-Ski”. Starting from 3:30pm the Lürzer Alm gets going with DJs, a hoppin’ dance floor, Jagertee and Vodka Redbull, happy skiers and general good vibes. The Lürzer Alm is centrally located in the village, right by the slopes, and is a natural progression point for people leaving the Edelweissalm since the party doesn’t stop until 2am.
Lürzer Alm – Obertauern
You’ll find the Hinterhag Alm right at the end of the Kohlmais valley run in Saalbach. Since its inception, the Hinterhag Alm has earned a reputation for its legendary parties on two floors. The après-ski joint welcomes hordes of skiers and snowboarders every day who eagerly join in the Hinterhag’s famous “Herzeltanz” dance. Fun fact: In 1987, Julie Andrews and John Denver performed “Edelweiss” live in the Hinterhag Alm!
Directly across from the Fire & Ice in Sölden is the Schirmbar, a legendary après-ski spot. This status is partly thanks to DJ BOMBA, who has won the title of “Best DJ of the Mountains” several times at the “Top of the Mountains” awards. The umbrella bar closes at 8pm but they’ll warn you about last call to make sure everyone can get one more drink in.
Schirmbar – Sölden
If you’re down for a spot of early après-ski you’re in luck with Ischgl’s Paznauner Taja, which starts après-ski at lunchtime. Rock out to techno beats and classic après-ski hits at 2000m above sea level, and then head down to the valley at 4pm to continue the party.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
