It’s been a long day of skiing and riding. You’ve been shredding up the mountain for hours (or, if you’re like me, constantly faceplanting into snow banks) and you’re ready to pack it in. But whatever shall you do for the rest of the evening? Of course, you must partake in the time-honoured art of ‘après-ski’. While many think that après-skiing is easy, it is in fact more subtle and nuanced than it first appears. Read on for some tips on how to do it right…
Night Skiing
Nothing is more relaxing after a full day of skiing than… more skiing. If you didn’t get your fill during the day, get a couple more runs in when they turn on the floodlights. Watch out for ice, you want to be in tip top shape when you head in for some…
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Schvitzing
If you’re so lucky as to have a chalet with a sauna, soothe those sore legs with an après-ski schvitz. If you have a hot-tub, even better. If that hot-tub is also a time machine, go back to the beginning of the day and do it all over again, but this time follow up your runs with a round of…
Beer Pong
An older group may not partake in this particular bit of jollification, but beer pong is an ideal sequel to a day on the slopes. It keeps up the competitive spirit of a ski race and combines it with the dis-inhibiting effects of, well, beer. If college party games aren’t your style, you can always go for…
Cigars and Whisky
A fine tumbler of 18-year-old Glenfiddich (neat) and a Cohiba Esplendido, in a red velvet armchair, next to a roaring fire. Sounds like an old spice commercial, but it isn’t. It’s you, in a chalet, après-skiing like a boss. When you get kicked out for smoking indoors, you can commence…
Gettin’ Sauced and Hittin’ the Bars
The classic après-ski activity. Gather old friends and new for a night on the town (or village, or hamlet, or lobby bar). Rehash stories of the day’s epic runs (or in my case, epic yard sales). Try not to think about how you’re supposed to wake up at 6am the next morning. Drink beer out of a sweaty ski boot. Get naked and make snow angels in minus-15 degree weather (protip: don’t actually do this)…
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…or just read a book and go to bed early. There are no rules for après-skiing, except that you must be able to ski the next day. Stay warm and have fun on the slopes!
