Never mind the sweaty bodies, unkempt hair and days-old socks. When you slide off the slopes and into the infectious atmosphere of the après-ski bar, you can’t deny there’s just something magical about this alpine tradition. It's the end of another great ski day, a toast to good times on the slopes with friends and family. You can choose from cosy chalets in France, posh establishments in Switzerland or bopping beats in Austria, but it’s always, unmistakeably, an après-ski party. Between the stunning locations and the generally happy-go-lucky vibe, is it any wonder we like après-ski so much?
The great thing about après-ski is that it’s full of numbers you know like the back of your hand. Since you hear more or less the same setlist every year, you have no trouble belting the lyrics out at the top of your lungs. Songs like “Anton aus Tirol”, “Joanna” and “Hey! Wir woll’n Eisbären sehen” are hard to get out of your head. And as for this year’s hits, they’re usually repetitive enough that you should be able to learn them easily enough once you have a few beers in you.
What's your favourite après-ski song?
At home it’s not unfeasible to spend an eternity preparing to go out. Hair, outfit, makeup, perfume, accessories... it can take hours! Whereas, on a ski holiday, the only thing you might change before heading to the bar is your ski boots – and even that’s optional! Helmet hair is rampant, and your goggle tan renders all makeup unnecessary.
At home, it's not really socially acceptable to start drinking until the evening, or at least the very late afternoon. In après-ski the party starts before the ski day is even finished, usually from 2pm to 3pm onwards. That’s no reason to wind it up early! Many village bars in the Alps stay open into the wee hours.
For silly reasons having to do with budget and time constraints, we tend to visit the pub just once or twice a week at home. But after saving up all year for your ski holiday, you’ve earned the right to spend wantonly without worrying about your budget! What’s more, as long as you can ski with a mild hangover, you’ve no further obligations waiting for you in the morning. Work’s out of the way, money’s not an issue, it’s time to ski all day and party every night!
Getting the party started at Schneebar Oberkasser
Concerts by famous DJs are an expensive proposition back home, with the tally mounting even higher once you consider the drinks and the taxi home. Luckily for skiers and snowboarders, celebrities regularly grace the mountainside pubs and you can usually count on some attractive discounts on drinks. And of course, no need for a taxi, you can just stumble (or ski) back to your hotel!
Another advantage of après-ski is that you usually start and finish earlier. It probably also helps to line your stomach with schnitzel or käsespätzle. Whether it’s due to these factors or due to the bracing mountain air and our unparalleled love of skiing, we don’t seem to suffer as much from hangovers as we would normally. We’re not denying that the occasional hangover does happen...
Can you remember the last time you went out with your folks? One of the nicest parts of après-ski is that you get to see your parents’ wild side – and they get to see yours! Don’t worry, next morning nobody will remember anything anyway.
I'll have an Apérol spritz with a view!
Apérol spritz, hot toddies, schnapps... the list of delicious après-ski drinks goes on and on. Warm your hands around a mug of mulled wine in the frosty months or pound back the jagerbombs on a trip to Austria. Just don’t mix too much or else you’ll pay for it the next morning!
What's your favourite thing about après-ski?
Never mind the sweaty bodies, unkempt hair and days-old socks. When you slide off the slopes and into the infectious atmosphere of the après-ski bar, you can’t deny there’s just something magical about this alpine tradition. It's the end of another great ski day, a toast to good times on the slopes with friends and family. You can choose from cosy chalets in France, posh establishments in Switzerland or bopping beats in Austria, but it’s always, unmistakeably, an après-ski party. Between the stunning locations and the generally happy-go-lucky vibe, is it any wonder we like après-ski so much?
The great thing about après-ski is that it’s full of numbers you know like the back of your hand. Since you hear more or less the same setlist every year, you have no trouble belting the lyrics out at the top of your lungs. Songs like “Anton aus Tirol”, “Joanna” and “Hey! Wir woll’n Eisbären sehen” are hard to get out of your head. And as for this year’s hits, they’re usually repetitive enough that you should be able to learn them easily enough once you have a few beers in you.
What's your favourite après-ski song?
At home it’s not unfeasible to spend an eternity preparing to go out. Hair, outfit, makeup, perfume, accessories... it can take hours! Whereas, on a ski holiday, the only thing you might change before heading to the bar is your ski boots – and even that’s optional! Helmet hair is rampant, and your goggle tan renders all makeup unnecessary.
At home, it's not really socially acceptable to start drinking until the evening, or at least the very late afternoon. In après-ski the party starts before the ski day is even finished, usually from 2pm to 3pm onwards. That’s no reason to wind it up early! Many village bars in the Alps stay open into the wee hours.
For silly reasons having to do with budget and time constraints, we tend to visit the pub just once or twice a week at home. But after saving up all year for your ski holiday, you’ve earned the right to spend wantonly without worrying about your budget! What’s more, as long as you can ski with a mild hangover, you’ve no further obligations waiting for you in the morning. Work’s out of the way, money’s not an issue, it’s time to ski all day and party every night!
Getting the party started at Schneebar Oberkasser
Concerts by famous DJs are an expensive proposition back home, with the tally mounting even higher once you consider the drinks and the taxi home. Luckily for skiers and snowboarders, celebrities regularly grace the mountainside pubs and you can usually count on some attractive discounts on drinks. And of course, no need for a taxi, you can just stumble (or ski) back to your hotel!
Another advantage of après-ski is that you usually start and finish earlier. It probably also helps to line your stomach with schnitzel or käsespätzle. Whether it’s due to these factors or due to the bracing mountain air and our unparalleled love of skiing, we don’t seem to suffer as much from hangovers as we would normally. We’re not denying that the occasional hangover does happen...
Can you remember the last time you went out with your folks? One of the nicest parts of après-ski is that you get to see your parents’ wild side – and they get to see yours! Don’t worry, next morning nobody will remember anything anyway.
I'll have an Apérol spritz with a view!
Apérol spritz, hot toddies, schnapps... the list of delicious après-ski drinks goes on and on. Warm your hands around a mug of mulled wine in the frosty months or pound back the jagerbombs on a trip to Austria. Just don’t mix too much or else you’ll pay for it the next morning!
What's your favourite thing about après-ski?
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!
