Ski season is officially in full swing, and while fresh turns and powder days still rule the conversation, there’s another side of ski culture that’s exploding right now: après ski.
Après ski is having a moment and the internet proves it. According to recent data, Google searches for après ski are up +186% over the past quarter. Translation? People aren’t just chasing powder, they’re chasing everything that comes along with it, including the vibes, music, beer, and that post ski day location.
To help skiers figure out where the party truly lives, global travel booking site Omio did a deep dive and crunched the numbers to determine which European ski destinations offer the best après ski scenes. Their key metric? The number of bars and pubs in each resort.
The results confirm what seasoned ski bums already know while providing a few surprises along the way.
Austria Dominates the Best Après Ski Destinations in Europe
If après ski were an Olympic sport, Austria would be standing on the podium holding gold and spraying champagne
Sölden, Austria: The Undisputed Après Ski Capital
Coming in at #1 overall, Sölden is officially the best ski destination in Europe for après ski, boasting a staggering 320 bars.
Sure Sölden has some sick glacier skiing, long seasons, and alpine terrain, but 320 bars…now that’s no joke. So once the lifts stop spinning let the show begin. Expect:
- Loud après ski bars
- Fondue-fueled hangovers
- Beers flowing well past sunset
- Dance floors that start in ski boots and end on tables
It’s the kind of place where you “just stop in for one” and then end up sliding down the mountain face first
Saalbach-Hinterglemm: Where Table Dancing Is a Sport
No slouch of their own with 288 bars and definitely no stranger to wild après ski lore is second place Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
This resort’s offerings run the gamut from:
- Cozy, low-key wine bars for a mellow wind-down
- Full-send après ski bars with live music, DJs, and table dancing
If you’ve ever wanted to ski hard all day and party harder all night, this place delivers.
More Austrian Heavy Hitters: Lech, Zürs & Kitzbühel
Austria didn’t just win, it dominated the top 10.
Additional Austrian resorts making the list:
- Lech & Zürs – 183 bars
- Kitzbühel – 133 bars
The takeaway is simple: Austria is the gold standard for après ski culture. Add in the fact that the average cost of a pint is just €5, and you’ve got world-class partying without completely nuking your wallet.
Italy: The Underrated Après Ski Powerhouse
Italy doesn’t always get the same après ski hype as Austria or Switzerland. I get it, but maybe it should. Après hits a bit differently but it is so worth it.
Val Gardena: Italy’s Après Ski Standout
Coming in third overall, Val Gardena surprised a lot of people with 264 bars. Who knew?
Think après ski with an Italian twist:
- Incredible wine and cheese
- Stylish mountain bars
- A mix of laid back aperitivo vibes and high-energy DJ sets
Not to mention, just like Austria, the average pint costs around €5. This makes it one of the best value après ski destinations in Europe.
Livigno: Family-Friendly by Day, Party by Night
Also cracking the top 10 is Livigno, with 143 bars.
Livigno is unique because it has a little something for everyone:
- Long ski seasons
- Family-friendly terrain and activities
- Après ski options ranging from casual drinks to full-blown table-dancing chaos
It’s a rare place where kids can ski all day and parents can still party the night away if they so choose.
Switzerland Has Legendary Après Ski…But Bring Your Wallet
No European après ski list would be complete without Switzerland. You just need to be ready to pay for it.
Zermatt: Iconic, Expensive, Worth It (Sometimes)
No surprise here, Zermatt landed high on the list with 206 bars, confirming its reputation as a world-class ski and après destination.
The catch?
- Average daily spend: €257 – OUCH!
- Average pint: €7.49
Zermatt is reportedly the second most expensive ski resort in Europe, but it is worth it:
- Iconic views of the Matterhorn
- Upscale après ski lounges
- A buzzing party scene that runs as deep as the snow
If money is not a problem then Zermatt absolutely earns its stripes.
Final Take: Where Should Après Ski Lovers Go?
If your ski trip priorities look something like good snow → better bars → unforgettable nights, the data doesn’t lie:
- Austria sits atop the podium as the best all-around country for après ski
- Italy is sneaky good and the most underrated value destination
- Switzerland offers luxury après at luxury prices
Après ski is on the rise and the word is out. As it continues to grow in popularity, one thing is obvious: the post-ski party is no longer an afterthought. For many travelers, it is the thought.
And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.
About the Author
Rich Stoner is the founder of the après-ski lifestyle clothing and media brand, All About Après. He is also the co-host of the Après All Day Podcast. No stranger to the ski and après-ski scene, Rich has been a long time contributor for many publications on topics like skiing, travel, gear, beer and food. However, his passion is on the slopes and enjoying good times with good people. You can find him perfecting his craft carving turns and drinking beers in the Green Mountains of Vermont. @allaboutapres