The Perfect End to a Day on the Slopes!

Ski culture is so much more than just tearing up the slopes. It's about immersing yourself in the whole experience. One such way to immerse yourself in the whole ski culture is the après, a perfect way to wrap up a day of shredding.

Après ski refers to the post-skiing experience. The translation from French is "after ski" or "after skiing." Although France coined the term, the idea of après most likely originated in Scandinavia when skiing began, before making its way to the French Alps. These days, après is embraced across the world. Each destination has its unique take on an après, even within the same state or the same resort. In this article, we'll dive deeper into all things après.

Diverse Apres-Ski Celebrations in Colorado

The first après that was iconic in my life was at Beaver Creek here in Colorado. This was my first experience with this style of après, which is very popular in Europe. To get there, we took a free bus from the resort to the Ritz Carlton. Bougie, right? There were two different bars outside, firepits, a DJ, and great vibes.

Copper Mountain, a frequently visited resort for me, does things a little differently. While they don't throw down with a DJ, they do know how to have a good time. The band Lefty Lucy is one of the live music acts you're likely to see while hanging out at Jack's Bar, and they're a lot of fun. My first time at Copper we had bad conditions on the mountain, but we had a great time partying at Jack's. We were even selected by the band to do a free shot ski!

Copper also hosts various fun events where they have free live music outside. Last year we got to watch We The Kings perform as it was actively snowing. It was an awesome experience for both skiers and the Florida-based band, who made sure to comment on it. This was especially cool and nostalgic for us who got to experience the Warped Tour era. Even my mom, who was in town at the time, loved it.

Snowmass, a resort in Aspen gives out free s'mores ingredients by a fire starting at 3:30 p.m. every day, which makes for a fun and interactive post-ski treat. While it's not a whole event, it's a perfect end to the ski day that's fun for the whole family.

Two of Aspen's other four resorts, Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands, offer lively après celebrations with DJs, dancing, Aperol spritzes, and champagne. Visit CHICA at Aspen Mountain and Cloud Nine at Highlands for awesome parties!

Fun Fact: Chamonix, France is considered one of Aspen's sister cities, so it makes sense that the European influence is seen across this mountain town.

While these après events are varied, they all provide even more fun after a day of skiing. And this is just within Colorado!

Après Parties in the Alps

Of course, we have to look at where this tradition started to pick up. When I think après ski, my mind goes to lively energy, DJs, and dancing in ski gear. This particular style of après feels very European. And while resorts in the Alps offer a variety of après options, including those with more posh or relaxed atmospheres, we are specifically looking at those with this distinct vibe. My favorite vibe.

Chamonix, a ski resort in France, is a huge place to go for not just insane skiing but also insane partying. Chambre Neuf is a classic spot here for amazing food and top-tier partying.

La Folie Douce is a spot with multiple locations across France's resorts and a great party scene. The après includes dancers, DJs, and other musicians, depending on which location you visit. It's iconic and truly embodies the après style that I love. It's definitely a bucket list spot for me.

We can't talk about après culture without mentioning Austria. Like France, Austria throws down. MooserWirt is a popular destination for post-ski fun on Arlberg Mountain. Their philosophy is that they are “probably the baddest après ski bar on Arlberg Mountain." The DJ keeps the party strong from 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm.

I don't know about you, but I think it's time to get an international ski trip on the books!

A Toast to My Personal Favs

As much as I prefer Colorado as a whole, California sure can party! Skiing at Mammoth Mountain was a particularly awesome experience I had last spring. The après at the Yodler had it all: people spraying champagne, someone with a yo-yo, a DJ playing awesome music, and people dancing on the tables (including an older woman). This took place on their deck, which was the perfect atmosphere. As I mentioned earlier, Beaver Creek's après was also an awesome time, especially since it was my first time experiencing that style of après. I also had a blast partying at Aspen Mountain, Big Sky Resort, and Palisades Tahoe. 

Après Ski Fashion

I like to just keep on my base layers, change out of my ski boots, and throw on a beanie. In some places, I've seen people go all out with fur coats and curled hair. In my opinion, this style gives the impression that they may not have even been skiing. It seems more appropriate for a dinner or a night out on the town, not at the resort. But, you do you! At the end of the day, wear whatever feels comfortable and right to you. Listen, I love to get all done up, so, if that style makes you happy, go for it! And even if you don't ski, the mountain is a fun place to be. But I prefer my post-ski fit. (Obviously, I'm biased). My base layers and beanie are in fun colors and patterns and still show off my personality and embrace après fun, while also being comfortable and easy. I will say, we were dressed a little differently in Mammoth since it was spring skiing, which brings about its own goofy fashion. We spent the whole day skiing in shorts, something I'd absolutely recommend if the weather allows for it, but that's a story for another day.

Fashion Tip: Use your ski goggles in place of sunglasses if the sun's still out for a fun shredder vibe.

Après-Ski Captures the Alpine Spirit

The culture of après-ski makes winter sports even more special. It transcends the physical act of skiing and embodies a tradition of celebration, relaxation, and social connection after a day on the slopes. Whether you're making s'mores, downing shot skis, dancing to live music, or simply relishing in the mountain atmosphere, the essence of après-ski is about continuing the fun off the piste. Each resort may offer a unique interpretation, but the core of après-ski remains universal—joy in the presence of nature and good company.

Check This Out: Read this article for the best songs to add to your après ski playlist!