Quick take: A Shotski is a ski-shaped board fitted with several shot glasses that a group holds together and empties in sync. At a festival, it's the fastest route to a real group moment. Here's what makes it work, how to play it, and what to check before you buy one.
💡 By the way: that's exactly why we built the SwigSki3000® — four people, one ski, one shot in rhythm. More on that below ↓
Every festival campsite has this one moment: four people stand shoulder to shoulder, lift a ski together and drink at the exact same second. No countdown, no setup — and half the neighbouring row turns to look. So what is a Shotski, exactly? It's no ordinary drinking gadget, it's a mood machine. This guide covers it all: what a Shotski is, why it works at festivals, how to use it, and what matters when you buy one.
A Shotski is a ski-shaped board fitted with several mounted shot glasses that multiple people hold at the same time and drink from in sync. The name combines "Shot" and "Ski". In German-speaking countries it's also called a Meter Ski, internationally it's known as a Shotski. The goal isn't quantity — it's the shared moment.
Why the Shotski Is the #1 Festival Gadget
The Shotski forces something that's otherwise hard to create: a genuine group moment. Because everyone has to lift and drink at the same time, coordination, laughter and a photo that basically takes itself all happen automatically.
- The photo moment: four to twelve people in perfect sync — that's the shot that ends up in every story afterwards.
- The icebreaker: nothing brings strangers together at the campsite faster than the question "What is that?" and a free glass.
- No setup required: no table, no power, no assembly — just take it out, fill it, and lift.
What Is a Shotski? Meter Ski and SwigSki Explained
Three words, the same thing — with subtle differences:
- Shotski (also written "shot ski") – the internationally used term, born in American ski resorts.
- Meter Ski – the common name in Austria and South Tyrol, because the classic version is often about a metre long.
- SwigSki3000® – Apres Allstars' modular evolution of the idea, where the glasses click on and off individually.
Whatever term you use, it all means the same thing: drinking together, in sync, from a ski-shaped holder. The SwigSki3000® solves the biggest problem of the classic Meter Ski: the fixed number of glasses.
How the SwigSki3000® Works
The classic Shotski has a fixed number of glasses — usually four. If there are three of you, one stays empty; if there are eight of you, you need two. That's why the SwigSki3000® is built modular: it's made of individual wooden segments that slot into each other. Depending on your group, you click on anywhere from 2 to 12 glasses.
Made from pine wood, lightweight and expandable without any tools — that's what makes it the ideal festival companion. Each glass can be removed and rinsed individually, which on a festival weekend isn't a luxury, it's a practical necessity. And thanks to the modular build, it's also the foundation for our own signature discipline, SwigSki-Flunkyball.
The Shotski in Action: 3 Ways to Play It
A Shotski can do more than just a synchronized toast. Three ways to use it at a festival:
1. The Group Toast
The classic: fill every glass, lift together, drink in sync. Perfect as the official kickoff to your festival pre-drinks or as a victory toast at the end of the night.
2. SwigSki-Flunkyball
Flunkyball as usual, but every team drinks in sync from the Shotski instead of individual cups. Thanks to the modular design, you remove one ski segment per hit — whoever runs out first loses. The perfect discipline for a festival Beer Olympics.
3. The Shotski Shot as a Ritual
Not a game, but a moment: whenever the mood needs a boost, out comes the Shotski. Four people grab it, everyone watches, then the whole group cracks up. Over the weekend, it becomes your group's trademark move.
What to Look For When Buying a Shotski
Not every Shotski is cut out for a festival. These points decide between fun and frustration:
- Material: solid wood (e.g. pine) is light, sturdy and feels premium — cheap plastic breaks quickly and just doesn't look right at camp.
- Glass count & flexibility: a fixed glass count rarely matches your group. A modular system you can expand is the better choice in the long run.
- Cleaning: removable glasses rinse out quickly at camp — fixed ones don't.
- Transport: watch the weight and length. Too bulky, and it stays at home.
DIY Shotski or Buy One?
Building your own is a real option, not a fallback. We sell bindings and glasses separately, so if you still have an old pair of skis in the basement, you can turn them into a one-off nobody else has. Two things decide whether it works. First, screw them on, don't glue them — screwed bindings hold for good, while hot-glued glasses come loose over time. Second, the spacing: roughly 18 to 20 inches per person, or everyone's elbows collide when you lift.
Buying one makes sense when there's no old ski around or the group size keeps changing: a modular Shotski like the SwigSki3000® expands, needs no drill, and is ready to go again every season. If you're after sturdy shot vessels with a ski-boot look, pair it with the ski boot shot glasses. The rule of thumb: for a one-off laugh, the DIY version will do; for a permanent spot in your festival bag, the bought version pays off.
From Après-Ski to the Festival
The Shotski has its roots in ski culture: drinking together, in sync, from a ski was already a cult ritual in Alpine huts and North American ski resorts long before it ever reached festivals. That's exactly where Apres Allstars comes from too — the brand brings that hut flair onto the festival grounds.
That explains the look: the ski, the ski-boot-shaped shot glasses, the whole après-ski aesthetic. At a festival, that feels refreshingly different from the usual party gear — and instantly makes the group that brought a Shotski stand out. What works in the mountains works just as well by the tent in summer: together, loud, and with a wink.
More Festival Fun
The Shotski is the star — but not the only one:
- Best Festival Drinking Games: The Ultimate List – the 8 classics with rules.
- Festival Beer Olympics – a tournament for large groups, with the Shotski as one of the disciplines.
- Festival Party Gadgets – the other must-haves for camp.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About the Shotski at Festivals
What Is a Shotski, Exactly?
A Shotski is a ski-shaped board fitted with several mounted shot glasses. Multiple people hold it at the same time and drink in sync. The name combines "Shot" and "Ski"; in German-speaking countries it's also called a Meter Ski.
How Many Glasses Does a Shotski Have?
Classic Shotskis usually have four glasses. Modular models like the SwigSki3000® are flexible: depending on your group size, you click on anywhere from 2 to 12 glasses. That solves the problem that a fixed glass count rarely matches the group.
What's the Difference Between a Shotski and a Meter Ski?
It's the same principle. "Shotski" is the internationally used term, "Meter Ski" is the name commonly used in Austria and South Tyrol — because the classic version is often around a metre long. Either way, it means drinking in sync from a ski.
Can You Make a Shotski Yourself?
Yes — and it's not a makeshift solution. Bindings and glasses are available separately, so you can turn an old ski or a plank into a one-off. Two things matter: screw them on rather than gluing them, and leave roughly 18 to 20 inches per person. If there's no ski around or your group size changes, a modular Shotski is the easier route.
How Do You Use a Shotski Properly?
Fill every glass, then have everyone grab the ski at the same time. Taller people should bend their knees slightly so everyone can reach comfortably. On a signal, lift together and drink in sync — and that's your group moment.
How Many People Can Use a Shotski?
Anywhere from two to over twelve people. A modular Shotski grows with the group: for a small round, use fewer segments; for a big crew, expand to more glasses. That makes it usable from a group of four all the way up to a large festival crowd.