Best après ski resorts in Europe
Après ski in Europe splits into two traditions. The Austrian version starts on the mountain at three in the afternoon and moves indoors with a live band. The French version is a slope side terrace and a long evening in the village. These resorts do one or both properly.
Ranked on our après rating, then on the size of the surrounding ski area.
- 1
VerbierValais, Switzerland412 km of pisteA glamorous resort stretched across 4 valleys, offering 412 km of unmatched skiing for all levels.412 km of piste - 2
St. Anton am ArlbergArlberg, Austria305 km of pisteHome of the 'Run of Fame', with so many slopeside après-ski spots to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice.305 km of piste - 3SöllTirol, Austria288 km of pisteParty heavy SkiWelt gateway with easy grooming and a raucous night skiing scene.288 km of piste
- 4
Saalbach HinterglemmSalzburg, Austria270 km of pisteAprès-ski for every occasion and fast, modern ski lifts that'll give you more time to carve down the slopes270 km of piste - 5
IschglSilvretta, Austria239 km of pisteWith more than 239 km of beautiful trails and exhilarating high-altitude skiing, Ischgl is a dream destination for every snow lover.239 km of piste - 6
SamnaunSwitzerland, Switzerland239 km of pisteA duty-free Swiss village linked with Ischgl to form the Silvretta Arena. 239km of cross-border skiing between Switzerland and Austria.239 km of piste - 7
KitzbühelTirol, Austria233 km of pisteMedieval walled town and home of the Hahnenkamm, the most feared downhill in racing.233 km of piste - 8
KirchbergKitzSki, Austria233 km of pisteAll the skiing of Kitzbühel at a more relaxed pace: a proper Tyrolean village with family-run Gasthöfe and lively après, sharing 188km of KitzSki pistes with its neighbour.233 km of piste - 9
Pas de la CasaPyrenees, Andorra210 km of pisteA popular destination for après-ski lovers on a budget; great parties and high-altitude without the high price tag210 km of piste - 10
GstaadBernese Oberland, Switzerland200 km of pisteA blend of glamour and tradition in a celebrity studded alpine paradise200 km of piste - 11
ChamonixMont Blanc, France170 km of pisteBest known as the birthplace of extreme skiing, it is considered one of the most famous ski resorts in the world.170 km of piste - 12
Madonna di CampiglioDolomites, Italy155 km of pisteChic Brenta Dolomites resort with silky smooth grooming and a strong Italian après scene.155 km of piste - 13
Val ThorensLes 3 Vallées, France150 km of pisteEurope's highest ski resort, in the largest ever ski area, and with one of the longest and most reliable seasons around.150 km of piste - 14
MéribelLes 3 Vallées, France150 km of pisteChocolate box chalet village at the heart of the Trois Vallées. Polished, wooded, sociable.150 km of piste - 15
Val d'IsèreEspace Killy, France150 km of pisteElegant World Cup village with 300 km of linked pistes and world class off piste.150 km of piste - 16
St Martin de BellevilleThree Valleys, France150 km of pisteSerene Savoyard village with access to 600 km of slopes in France's Trois Vallées.150 km of piste - 17
SöldenÖtztal, Austria146 km of pisteTwo glaciers, an 007 lounge and a party scene that opens the World Cup each October.146 km of piste - 18
MayrhofenZillertal, Austria142 km of pisteThis Austrian family-friendly resort has a diverse off-trail terrain and ski slopes for all abilities.142 km of piste - 19
Planai SchladmingStyria, Austria123 km of pisteSchladming's headline mountain, home of the floodlit Nightrace and a fortress of grooming.123 km of piste - 20
MorzinePortes du Soleil, France120 km of pisteTraditional Savoyard town at the hub of the cross border Portes du Soleil circuit.120 km of piste
Frequently asked questions
- Which resort has the best après ski in Europe?
- St Anton and Ischgl in Austria set the standard, with Mooserwirt and Kuhstall style bars filling from mid afternoon. Val Thorens and Méribel lead in France, while Verbier is the Swiss pick.
- Is après ski expensive?
- Budget roughly 6 to 9 euros for a beer in a mountain bar in Austria and Italy, and 8 to 12 euros in high French and Swiss resorts. Bulgaria and Slovenia are around half of Alpine prices.