What is Après-ski?
Let’s continue the topic of terms related to ski holidays, and in this article, we will talk about après-ski, as well as resorts famous not only for their ski slopes but also for their entertainment.
The term après-ski originated from the French word après-ski, which literally translates to “after skiing”. In English, after skiing is used, but most often you will hear “après-ski”. At ski resorts, lifts close before dark, between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM. To keep people entertained for the rest of the time, resorts offer a wide range of activities, collectively known as après-ski. In other words, après-ski is your leisure time after the slopes have closed. Bars, clubs, and restaurants can be found at absolutely any resort, but in some places, they are more prevalent. The most famous resort, focused not only on ski holidays but also on après-ski, is Austrian Ischgl. Every year, a big celebration is held here for the opening and closing of the ski season, featuring stars. Robbie Williams, The Scorpions, Nickelback, Roxette, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Elton John, and others have already visited Ischgl. To attend the event, you need to buy a ski pass; it costs a bit more than usual for this period, but unfortunately, ski passes that do not include concert admission are not sold.
The second place in the ranking of the most party-friendly places can confidently be given to St. Anton, Austria. Perhaps the most famous spot is the club-bar Mooserwirt (Mooserwirt). It was in St. Anton in 1901 that the world’s first ski club was founded, and in 1904, the first downhill skiing competitions were held.
Third place goes to the Swiss resort of Verbier. It is considered a freeride mecca, so in addition to bars, restaurants, and clubs, Verbier hosts a large number of events and competitions for freeriders. The resort is part of the “4 Valleys” region, the largest in Switzerland, with over 400 km of ski slopes, not including freeride terrain.
Excellent après-ski is also offered by French resorts: Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Méribel, Avoriaz; Italian resorts: Livigno and Sauze d’Oulx; and the Swiss Zermatt.
