The best apres-ski in the Alps is found in Ischgl and St. Anton, followed by Saalbach, Bad Gastein and Obertauern. The party gets going as early as around 3pm when the lifts begin to close, and continues at bars and clubs in the village. Expect to pay 5 to 8 euros for a beer and 8 to 14 euros for a drink at the most popular spots.
The apres-ski resorts in this guide
The resorts with the Alps' most famous apres-ski. Click through for guides, piste maps and booking.
The best apres-ski in the Alps
For many, apres-ski is just as important as the skiing itself. That feeling when you click off your skis, walk into a bar by the piste and order a cold beer or a hot mulled wine. The music is thumping, the atmosphere is buzzing and you share the experience with people from all over Europe.
The Alps are the world's leading destination for apres-ski, and Austria in particular has built an entire culture around the phenomenon. From large nightclubs with international artists to cosy mountain huts with local bands. The range is enormous and varied.
We have selected the five best apres-ski resorts among our 17 destinations in the Alps. Whether you're after a wild party or a relaxed evening with good food and drink, you'll find the right resort here. All the resorts also offer fantastic skiing, so you don't need to compromise.
The best tip is to book early, especially if you're aiming for half term or New Year. The apres-ski resorts are popular, and the best accommodation gets snapped up quickly.
Top apres-ski resorts in the Alps
Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is the undisputed apres-ski capital of the Alps. This resort in Tyrol attracts thousands of visitors every winter who want to combine world class skiing with unrivalled nightlife. The ski area covers 239km of pistes with a connection to Samnaun in Switzerland, and snow reliability is high thanks to its location between 1,400 and 2,872 metres.
The apres-ski scene in Ischgl kicks off as early as around 3pm at the bars Kuhstall and Schatzi. In the evening, nightclubs such as Pacha and Trofana Arena take over. Each season opens with a big concert, and international artists perform throughout the winter. This resort suits those who want a complete experience with luxury, partying and technical skiing.
Read more about ski holidays to Ischgl
St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
St. Anton is legendary when it comes to apres-ski. The bars Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh sit right by the piste and get the party going as early as the afternoon. The atmosphere is raw, energetic and authentic. The resort forms part of the large Arlberg area with 305km of pistes offering predominantly technical and challenging skiing.
What makes St. Anton special is the combination of extremely good off piste, steep pistes and an apres-ski culture that has existed for decades. Experienced skiers from all over the world meet here. In the evenings, the party continues at the village's bars and restaurants.
Read more about ski holidays to St. Anton
Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria
Saalbach offers a perfect mix of skiing and apres-ski. Skicircus Saalbach has 270km of pistes and an area that suits all levels. The apres-ski scene is lively, though not as intense as in Ischgl, which makes it a good choice for groups with mixed preferences.
Popular apres-ski spots include Hinterhag Alm and Bauer's Schi-Alm, both located right by the pistes. The village also has a good selection of restaurants and bars that keep things going all evening. The resort works excellently for travel groups who want variety.
Read more about ski holidays to Saalbach
Bad Gastein, Austria
Bad Gastein stands out with its unique combination of alpine charm, art deco architecture and a growing apres-ski scene. The resort has a different atmosphere compared with traditional ski resorts, with thermal baths, art events and a young, creative crowd that has found its way here in recent years.
The Gastein ski area has 200km of pistes and varied terrain. The apres-ski scene is more relaxed, but of a high standard. Silver Bullet Bar and Gatz Music Bar are popular meeting points. Bad Gastein suits those who want apres-ski with character and style.
Read more about ski holidays to Bad Gastein
Obertauern, Austria
Obertauern sits at 1,740 metres and is one of Austria's most snow sure destinations. The apres-ski scene here is more family friendly, yet still lively. The resort is compact and most accommodation is located right by the pistes, making it easy to combine skiing with socialising.
Lürzer Alm and Edelweisshütte are popular apres-ski spots, and the atmosphere is relaxed yet festive. Obertauern suits those who prioritise snow reliability and good skiing but still want a pleasant nightlife after the ski day.
Popular bars and nightlife venues
The Alps have hundreds of apres-ski bars, but some have become proper institutions that every skier should visit at least once. Here is a selection of the most famous ones.
- Kuhstall, Ischgl. Atmospheric bar with DJ and a dancing crowd as early as the afternoon. Located by the Silvrettabahn and the perfect start to the evening.
- Mooserwirt, St. Anton. Often called "the loudest apres-ski bar in the Alps". Located right by the piste and fills up as early as around 3pm. Expect queues during peak season.
- Krazy Kanguruh, St. Anton. Located right next to Mooserwirt and offers the same intense apres-ski experience with live music and DJ.
- Hinterhag Alm, Saalbach. A rustic mountain hut with good food, strong drinks and live music. Perfect after a long day on the pistes in the Skicircus.
- Lürzer Alm, Obertauern. A cosy mountain hut with a large terrace, hot mulled wine and simple dishes. A relaxed atmosphere suited to all ages.
Party versus family resorts
Not all apres-ski resorts suit everyone. Here's a comparison to help you choose the right one.
| Resort | Party level | Family friendly | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ischgl | Very high | Lower | High |
| St. Anton | Very high | Medium | High |
| Saalbach | High | Medium | Medium |
| Bad Gastein | Medium | High | Medium |
| Obertauern | Medium | High | Lower |
Tips for your apres-ski trip
Plan properly and you'll get the most out of your apres-ski holiday. Here are our best tips.
- Choose central accommodation. Choose a hotel near the pistes and the centre of the village. That way it's easy to move between skiing, apres-ski and dinner without transport.
- Set aside money for nightlife. Apres-ski resorts such as Ischgl and St. Anton are more expensive. Set aside a little extra per day for drinks and nightlife.
- Have lunch on the mountain. The mountain huts often have better prices and a better atmosphere than the restaurants down in the village. You can also combine lunch with a break from skiing.
- Start early, finish early. The best apres-ski atmosphere is between 3pm and 6pm. After that, prices tend to rise and the mood tends to change.
- Book a stay with lift pass included. A stay where the hotel and lift pass are combined in one booking gives you peace of mind and often a better price. You also avoid stressing over logistics.
Frequently asked questions about apres-ski
Ischgl and St. Anton are the most famous apres-ski resorts in the Alps. Ischgl has large nightclubs and concerts with international artists, while St. Anton offers a more classic and intense apres-ski culture with legendary bars such as Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh.
Yes, several resorts offer family friendly apres-ski with live music, hot chocolate and cosy mountain huts. Obertauern and Bad Gastein have a calmer atmosphere in the afternoons and are well suited to families who want to enjoy the mood without too much partying.
Expect to pay 5 to 8 euros for a beer and 8 to 14 euros for a drink or mulled wine at the most popular bars. In Ischgl and St. Anton prices can be somewhat higher than at lesser known resorts such as Obertauern or Flachau.
Apres-ski usually starts as early as around 3pm, when the lifts begin to close. The most popular bars by the pistes are in full swing between 3pm and 7pm. The evening then continues at restaurants and nightclubs in the village, particularly in Ischgl and St. Anton.
Yes, but on a smaller scale. Livigno in Italy has a pleasant nightlife with tax free prices on drinks, which makes it good value. Grindelwald in Switzerland offers a cosier variant with alpine bars and restaurants. The truly big apres-ski culture, however, is found in Austria.