How to Après-Ski: A Complete Guide

Sure, skiing is fun—presumably it’s why you trudged up the mountain in the first place. It’s hard to beat those big, fluffy powder turns or waist-deep face shots. But once you’re back in the lodge with the faux fur boots out and the peppermint schnapps flowing, it’s hard to argue that après is any less fun. In fact, some might argue it’s the best part of the day. Warm beverages, crackling fireplaces, good friends—what’s not to love? And that’s before you even get to the epic outfits.

While the vibe will be different depending on where you après (yep, it’s also a verb), your attire is likely to include items such as retro ski jackets, fur-lined clothing, and vintage ski suits. To help you decide what to wear, where to go, and what to expect, we've put together a complete après-ski guide below answering all of your questions and explaining the different types of après-ski events you may encounter.

First things first—what is après-ski? Literally speaking, the meaning of the French phrase can be translated as “after skiing.” It describes the social activities that follow a day of skiing, when mountain enthusiasts gather together to eat, drink, and be merry.

It’s when skiers change into comfier clothes and regale each other with tales from their day, often against a backdrop of music, food, and entertainment. It can take place in the ski lodge, out in the parking lot, at local bars and restaurants, or in private homes.

The ritual began in the 1950s and has evolved over the years to become a major part of ski culture. Nowadays, pubs and restaurants in ski towns often host elaborate après-ski parties with uniquely themed cocktails, appetizers, and even costumes.

Après-ski is pronounced “ah-preh-ski.” (Being a French word, the descending accent on top of the “e” is pronounced with a short “e” sound, as in “bell” or “sell,” and the “a” at the beginning sounds like the “o” in “opera.” The “ski” is the same as in English).

That said, while “ah-preh-ski” is the correct pronunciation, it is common to hear people refer to it as “ah-pray-ski.”

• Après-ski vests: Wearing a stylish winter vest around the mountain is a great way to accessorize your après-ski look. Vests are extremely versatile, both in style and function, and they come in a wide range of warmth levels. You can choose between synthetic and natural down varieties, and they make fantastic layering pieces too.
  
  
• Après-ski accessories: Don’t forget your winter accessories. This includes hats, neck gaiters or scarves, and gloves. Just like a winter vest, these cold-weather accessories come in tons of colors and styles, offering you the chance to add personality to your après-ski outfit.

While all après-ski involves socializing after a day on the mountain, the type of socializing you do—and the look that goes with it—can vary widely. While some skiers hang out in fancy upscale bars, others grill hot dogs in the parking lot. Each type of event will call for a very different style, so you’ll want to dress accordingly.

Here are some common types of après parties you’ll see on the mountain:

The Posh Soirée: For this kind of party, think high-end Aspen vibe. Here, you’re likely to spot a lot of fur-lined ski suits, gold jewelry, fuzzy boots, and upscale lounge attire. There will be elkhorns on the walls, bearskin rugs by the fire, and an endless flow of swanky cocktails.

The Dirtbag Tailgate: This après-ski party is just the opposite—instead of sipping martinis by the fire, these folks are in the parking lot wearing the same baggy pants they skied in all day. Adding comfy boots and a warm midlayer, they’ll be sitting on the bumpers of their cars cooking burgers on a mini-grill. This type of après is especially popular in the springtime after pond skims, half-pipe contests, and other late-season events.

The Retro Ski Party: With an ’80s or ’90s theme, this wilder après party typically takes place in someone's private home or one of the many rowdy bars common to ski towns. Full of one-piece ski suits with neon colors and funky patterns, these parties are often held at night and can go until the wee hours of morning. If you plan on attending, you’ll want the coolest retro ski suit you can find.

The European Chalet Happy Hour: Tamer than the retro ski party, this daytime event is more family-oriented with a distinctly European vibe. Although it’s as common nowadays in the Rocky Mountains as in Chamonix, you’ll still find Euro-themed menus with things like charcuterie boards, raclette, and apéro spreads. People will be wearing decorative sweaters and tight racer suits—and there will be vintage ski posters on the walls.