For many winter sports enthusiasts, it is simply part of the experience to round off a long day of skiing with a few drinks in a ski hut or umbrella bar. Austria's ski resorts are known for their atmospheric après-ski culture. Accordingly, there are numerous opportunities to celebrate after skiing or snowboarding - with delicious drinks and iconic après-ski hits.
What is typical for après ski?
The term "après ski" actually comes from the French and means nothing other than "after skiing". In our part of the world, it mainly refers to the socialising at the end of a day's skiing. From the piste, it's straight to the pub - still in ski clothing, of course.
The following things are typical of après ski in Austria:
- An exuberant festive atmosphere and a cordial get-together.
- Classic après-ski drinks such as Flying Hirsch, clear schnapps and Jagatee as well as beer, wine and Aperol Spritz.
- Thrilling après-ski hits - from live bands or DJs.
- Singing and dancing - sometimes on benches and tables.
There are also often snacks and meals to give the revellers a quick snack. These include frittata, liver dumpling or goulash soup, cheese spaetzle, yeast dumplings, various breads, pretzels, bacon or ham sticks, chips and potato spirals.
The top 7 après ski locations in Austria
Après-ski is very important in Austria's ski resorts and is even more important to some winter sports enthusiasts than the skiing itself. The range of pubs, umbrella bars and ski huts is correspondingly large. To make the choice a little easier, we have listed the most popular après-ski locations in Austria below. Party-goers are sure to get their money's worth there!
The most popular après ski resorts in Austria:
Ischgl is the après-ski destination par excellence and as a result the pubs are extremely popular. The legendary Kuhstall and the Kitzloch, for example, are known far beyond Austria's borders. The Trofana Alm right in the centre is also a great place to party, as is the Hexenküche or the fire & ice.
What would the "Home of Lässig" be without fun and a party atmosphere? Exactly! That's why the Skicircus and Saalbach and Hinterglemm in particular offer numerous bars and ski huts that are second to none. Bauer's Schi-Alm, the Goaßstall, the Castello, the Hinterhag Alm, the Hexenhäusl or the Schwips Bar are just a few of the many options.
In St. Anton, you have to dig a little deeper into your pockets to party, but you get a lot in return. Party people meet up here at the MooserWirt, the Krazy Kanguruh, the Piccadilly Pub or the Murrmel Bar, for example.
Après ski fans also get their money's worth in Sölden in the Ötztal - the night can never be long enough here. The Fire & Ice is particularly popular - not to be confused with the one in Ischgl. Other popular addresses include the Schirmbar, the Kuckuck, the Katapult, Marco's and Halli Valli.
In Mayrhofen, people like to party at the Kasermandl on the Penken - with lots of live acts and a great atmosphere. Folk music is very important there, as the hut is also known as the Zillertaler Musikanten Alm. The Yeti Bar at the Horbergbahn valley station and the Icebar also welcome numerous guests.
Schladming not only shines during the well-known Nightrace with parties at the highest level. It is also home to the Hohenhaus Tenne, the largest après ski hut in Europe. It's the perfect address for anyone who wants to really let it rip. Other venues that party people like to visit are the Almrausch, a huge open-air pavilion, the Platzhirsch-Alm and the Schafalm.
Obertauern is also a great place to celebrate, for example in the Lürzer Alm or the Edelweissalm. The latter is located in the middle of the piste and also boasts a rustic hut atmosphere and a spacious sun terrace.
The most popular après-ski drinks
Of course, the right drinks are part of a lavish party. At après ski, people like to go for sweet hot drinks - with a good shot of alcohol. Schnapps is also a firm favourite. There are also classics such as beer, wine and Aperol Spritz.
The most popular après-ski drinks in Austria include:
- Hunting tea: black tea and rum
- Flying Hirsch: also known as "Jagerbomb" or "Jägerbomb", Jägermeister with an energy drink (usually Red Bull)
- Schnapps and liqueurs: plum or damson schnapps, pear schnapps, Jägermeister, fruit schnapps, apricot schnapps, Swiss stone pine liqueur, knocker, hazelnut schnapps
- Bombardino: Hot egg liqueur with cream and cinnamon
- Hot chocolate: with rum or Baileys
- Mulled wine: is usually made with red wine, but is also available with white wine
- Ferrari: also known as Red Red, red vodka with energy drink
- Cola Rum: as the name suggests, cola with rum (note: no Bacardi)
- Flügerl: Vodka with an energy drink (also: Vodka Bull, Vodka Energy)
- Hot widow: Hot plum liqueur with cream and cinnamon
- Flying Moo: Milk with Jägermeister
The so-called "Bauernschnaps" can also be found on many drinks menus in Austria's ski huts. This is a clear schnapps with a slice of bacon and mustard. First you lick the mustard off the slice of bacon, then drink the schnapps and then eat the bacon. In principle, it is similar to tequila with lemon and salt or orange and cinnamon.
Tips for the day after
So that you don't have to deal with sore muscles from skiing the day after après-ski, we have collected a few tips for you to make it a little more bearable.
Tips for the hangover after après ski:
- Drink a lot: However, this does not mean alcohol, but water. Alcohol dehydrates the body. It's best to drink non-alcoholic drinks every now and then during the party.
- Magnesium: Dissolve a magnesium effervescent tablet in water and drink it before going to bed. This can prevent an alcohol-induced potassium deficiency.
- Electrolytes: Balancing the electrolyte balance can also help against a hangover. For example, there is mineral water containing electrolytes. Potassium and magnesium are also electrolytes. The drug Elotrans is currently being used. This is actually prescribed for diarrhoea to combat the lack of electrolytes and fluids. It should not be taken lightly. It is best to discuss this with your doctor.
- Showering: You often feel much better after a cool shower in the morning.
- Fresh air and light exercise: A short walk outside can work wonders.
At best, you should avoid the "repair beer" (also: counter beer). This may give the impression of a short-term improvement, but in the long term it only pushes the hangover out.
Sometimes, unfortunately, nothing helps and you have no choice but to spend the day in bed instead of on the piste - with light snacks and some tea. But then you can hit the ground running again the next day, but better on the piste and not in the hut.