The slopes are one thing — the party afterwards is another. Some ski resorts are famous mainly for their runs, others for the moment at 3pm when ski boots start stamping on the dance floor and the whole hut belts out "Anton aus Tirol" at the top of their lungs. This guide takes you to the best apres ski resorts in Europe — with the legendary spots that made them famous, sorted by which type of party awaits you. And for every weekend without mountains, we'll show you at the end how to bring the hut feeling home.
What is an apres ski resort? A ski resort or mountain village known not just for its slopes but above all for its party scene — with hut bars right on the piste where the celebrating starts in the afternoon and often runs deep into the night.
💡 By the way: that's exactly why we built the Party Bundle — everything for the party in one matched set. More on that below ↓
The Best Party Ski Resorts in Austria
Austria is the heartland of apres ski. Nowhere else has such a dense cluster of legendary party huts — here are the four party ski resorts where the schlager plays loudest.
St. Anton am Arlberg — The Mecca of Party Huts
For many, St. Anton is the very definition of apres ski. Right on the run down into the valley sits the legendary Mooserwirt — reportedly the bar that pours more beer per season than any other in Austria. A few metres further on waits the Krazy Kanguruh, an institution since the 1960s. The special part: you keep partying in your ski boots, then ski the last stretch down into the valley afterwards — party with a piste exit. St. Anton is loud, packed and legendary. If you want to experience apres ski in its original form, this is the place.
Ischgl — The "Ibiza of the Alps"
Ischgl plays in a league of its own: international stars regularly perform here at the "Top of the Mountain" concert, and the party strip is sized to match. Trofana Alm, Schatzi Bar with its dancers, and Kuhstall are the classics. Ischgl is more glamorous, more expensive and more international than St. Anton — the resort for anyone who likes it a size bigger and a shade fancier.
Mayrhofen — Party in the Zillertal
Mayrhofen combines a huge ski area with one of the liveliest party scenes in the Alps. The Ice Bar at the bottom of the valley run is the central meeting point, and the annual Snowbombing Festival turns the whole resort into a multi-day celebration with international DJs. Mayrhofen skews a little younger and more musically varied — alongside schlager, you'll also find electro and live music.
Solden — Party Between the Glaciers
Solden in the Ötztal scores with reliable snow well into spring and a correspondingly long party season. Katapult, Fire & Ice and numerous hut bars along the piste keep the mood boiling from early afternoon onward. Sölden is also known for its big open-air events at the start and end of the season.
House party crashing the Swigski together with friends … – @apresallstars
If you'd rather not hunt down each piece separately: the Party Bundle combines glasses, bindings and Miniskis, matched to each other and staggered by group size.
The Best Apres Ski Resorts in France and Italy
The party doesn't stop at the Austrian border — it's often a notch more elegant, but no less wild.
Val Thorens, France — Europe's Highest Party Resort
At 2,300 metres sits Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe — and right at its heart, the famous La Folie Douce. This chain of bar, cabaret and open-air stage has shaped French apres ski: in the afternoon, the sun terrace turns into an open-air club, complete with live singers, dancers and champagne. Val Thorens is the perfect mix of altitude, snow reliability and spectacular partying.
Val d'Isère, France — Chic and Stylish
Val d'Isère stands for upscale apres ski. There's a La Folie Douce here too, along with trendy bars like Dick's Tea Bar and cosy hut restaurants. The resort draws an international crowd, often British — the mood is boisterous, but a shade more stylish than the loud Austrian parties.
Sauze d'Oulx, Italy — The Insider Tip with Dolce Vita
Sauze d'Oulx in the Italian Alps has been a party insider tip for years, especially among young Brits and Scandinavians. Numerous bars with live music, themed parties and generous drinks deals make for wild nights — at prices well below those of the glitzier resorts. Italian dolce vita meets apres ski here.
Where Is the Best Apres Ski Resort for You?
- You want the loudest, most authentic original apres ski: St. Anton am Arlberg.
- You like it glamorous and international, with celebrity concerts: Ischgl.
- You want electro and festival vibes alongside the schlager: Mayrhofen.
- You're after stylish open-air parties with champagne: Val Thorens or Val d'Isere.
- You want a lot of party for your money: Sauze d'Oulx.
Bringing Apres Ski Home — Even Without Mountains
Not every weekend leads to the Alps. The good news: the hut feeling translates surprisingly well to your living room, garden or shared-flat terrace. All you need is the right playlist, a few schlager classics — and the right gear to turn an ordinary get-together into a real apres ski party.
Tips for Your Apres Ski Trip
- Get there early: the best hut bars are packed solid from 3pm — if you want a spot on the sun terrace, show up in good time.
- Plan for ski boots: in many piste bars, dancing happens in ski boots. Comfortable shoes to change into are worth it for the long night.
- Think about the run down: if you still have to ski into the valley after partying, don't overdo it with the drinks — or take the gondola or the ski bus instead.
- Go off-peak: outside the school holidays, resorts are cheaper and the huts more relaxed — still with a full party atmosphere.
Even More Apres Ski Feeling
You'll find the right soundtrack for your trip in our ultimate apres ski hits. What to toast with at home is covered in our guide to the trendiest apres ski drinks, and for the right backdrop, check out our apres ski decoration ideas.
FAQ
Where is the best apres ski in Austria?
St. Anton am Arlberg is considered the mecca of apres ski — with legendary huts like the Mooserwirt and the Krazy Kanguruh right on the piste. For a more glamorous, international party, Ischgl is the first choice.
Where is the most famous apres ski in France?
La Folie Douce in Val Thorens and Val d'Isere has shaped French apres ski: an open-air party with live singers, dancers and champagne on the sun terrace.
When does apres ski start in the ski resorts?
Usually from around 3pm, when the first skiers come off the slopes. In the big party huts, the mood often carries seamlessly into the evening and night.
Which apres ski resort is the cheapest?
Sauze d'Oulx in Italy is considered a party insider tip with noticeably lower prices than the glitzier resorts. Outside peak holiday periods, all resorts are cheaper and more relaxed too.
Can you party in ski boots?
Yes — in many piste bars like the Mooserwirt, dancing in ski boots is part of the ritual. If you're skiing down into the valley afterwards, don't overdo it with the drinks.
How do I bring apres ski vibes home?
With the right schlager playlist, a bit of decoration and gear like a Shotski, Miniskis to wear round your neck and ski boot shot glasses, your living room turns into a mountain hut — no trip to the Alps required.
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The Ultimate Apres Ski Hits ·
The Trendiest Apres Ski Drinks ·
Apres Ski Decoration Ideas