Après-ski in Austria for Beginners!
By: Simon la Lau at 06 March 2024
Après-ski is a widespread phenomenon that resonates with virtually every winter sports enthusiast. Even those who have never been on skis are familiar with the concept. Originally, the French term referred to changing uncomfortable ski boots for comfortable snow boots after a day on the slopes. Nowadays, most people associate après-ski more with lively parties after skiing or snowboarding. If you're a newcomer and want to know how to behave without standing out among experienced après-ski enthusiasts, read this blog!
The place to be
Austria is the ultimate country to hit the town after skiing or snowboarding. Many tourists specifically travel to the Alpine country for après-ski. Austrian bars cleverly cater to this by booking certain artists to meet the musical preferences of their audience. This creates a lively atmosphere of conviviality!Consumptions
Music significantly contributes to the atmosphere, as do the typical winter sports drinks for many. Popular choices include hot beverages like mulled wine, a Hot Chocolate with rum, and Schnapps. Additionally, buying a round of beers or enjoying a 'Willy mit Birne' is an indispensable part of the experience for many. A Dutch treat often consumed during après-ski is Flügel. A well-known German shot, the Jägerbomb, is also beloved, and the Austrian energy drink Red Bull is an essential ingredient for many mixed drinks.Rules
Après-ski has some unwritten rules, such as not heading to the chalet first to shower, and everyone keeps their ski clothing on during the festivities. Both thick jackets and pants serve as trendy clothing items, and ski goggles hanging around the neck serve as fashionable accessories. The way everyone is dressed contributes to the unique atmosphere of après-ski. Additionally, it's almost an obligation to sing along to all the songs, so make sure to learn a few hits by heart a few weeks before departure.Short Parties
What characterizes the parties is that they are relatively short and intense. Après-ski often starts around 4:00 PM and ends around 8:00 PM. Once the evening falls and the bar closes, partygoers ski back home or to the valley. So, make sure not to forget where the skis are placed before entering the party tent!
Top locations
Due to the success of après-ski in Austria, other countries like Switzerland and France are trying to create a similar atmosphere. However, most tourists still prefer Austria over staying in Switzerland or France.To find out the best locations, here are some of the most enjoyable après-ski areas where ChaletsPlus rents holiday homes, listed in random order:
Zillertal Arena
In this ski area, numerous cozy ski huts and the so-called 'umbrella bars' can be found. The Schirmbars, as they are called in Austria, are always located near the slopes and enjoy great popularity. In good weather, the 'umbrella' essentially folds down, allowing you to sit in the sun. The parties in the bars go hand in hand with the closure of the mountain lifts, so everyone continues to après-ski in the valley after closing time. Popular bars in the Zillertal Arena include Luigi’s Turbo Bar and Hannes’ Alm in Königsleiten, as well as the Kristallhütte in Hochkrimml.ChaletsPlus offers holiday homes in or around the Zillertal Arena in Bramberg am Wildkogel, Hochkrimml, Königsleiten, Neukirchen am Grossvenediger, and Wald Im Pinzgau.
Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm Fieberbrunn
In the afternoon or evening, this ski area offers plenty of opportunities to seek out conviviality! In both villages, there are numerous pubs, discos, chic bars, and restaurants. Experiencing the atmosphere that après-ski brings is also possible on a terrace on the slopes. Many consider the villages of Saalbach and Hinterglemm as one of the most enjoyable winter sports destinations in Austria.The favorite party tents of many people in Saalbach include Bauers Schi-Alm, Maisalm, and Hinterhag Alm in Saalbach. In Hinterglemm, you'll find fantastic après-ski bars like Goaßstall, Hexenhäusl, and Der Schwarzacher!
The holiday homes from ChaletsPlus are naturally located in this ski area, in Saalbach and Hinterglemm, but also in the nearby Viehhofen.
KitzSki
Kitzbühel & Kirchberg (KitzSki) is one of Austria's most renowned ski areas. Celebrities from all over the world visit this region, leading to the presence of various luxurious dining options, bars, and clubs. Despite the upscale and luxurious offerings, it doesn't diminish the fact that even the 'ordinary citizen' can enjoy après-ski until the late hours.In this popular ski area, you'll find beautiful winter holiday homes in Mittersill. For après-ski, those staying in Mittersill often head to the nearby Kitzbühel. There, you can find charming bars such as Pavillon, Club Take-Five, and O'Flannigan Irish Pub. In Kirchberg, Schialm Bar & Restaurant comes highly recommended.
Wildkogel Arena
The Wildkogel Arena is widely known as a small-scale and tranquil family ski area. Nevertheless, it's easy to discover cozy bars or ski huts. Zwischnzeit and Ramba Zambar are two enjoyable bars. However, the most pleasant places to relax after skiing are towards the valley. At the valley station of the Wildkogel Arena, festive events take place weekly. A fun place to party is Skihaserl – Après Ski in Neukirchen.In or around the Wildkogel Arena ski area, holiday homes are available for rent in five villages: Bramberg am Wildkogel, Hochkrimml, Mittersill, Neukirchen am Grossvenediger, and Wald Im Pinzgau. So, there's more than enough choice!
Après-Ski in Other Countries
If you still crave Après-Ski after your skiing vacation in Austria, you can even do so in countries that don't have mountains at all. For example, in the city center of the Dutch city Rotterdam, there is a very well-known party café that embraces the party culture of ski lodges in winter sports countries: the Après Skihut.It shows that Après-Ski is also very popular beyond the borders of Austria and that it might be more than just a party. It is actually a celebration of life, all around the world!