Best Après-Ski in the Alps (2026/27): St Anton, Verbier and Beyond

The last run of the day is never really the last run. In the Alps, the moment the lifts begin to slow and the light turns gold on the peaks, a second ritual begins: après-ski. Boots stay on, music drifts across the snow, and terraces fill with skiers trading stories over a cold beer, a glühwein or a glass of champagne.

Après-ski means very different things in different resorts. In some, it is table dancing to Austrian schlager until the stars come out. In others, it is oysters and a fine Valais white by an open fire. This guide covers the best après-ski in the Alps for the 2026/27 season, starting with the legendary après-ski in St Anton, then moving through Lech, Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Verbier, Zermatt, the French Alps and Cortina, with season dates, real prices and how to get there.

Last checked: 21 October 2026. Bars change owners, hours and prices from season to season, so confirm the details below before you travel.

Key takeaways

• St Anton remains the benchmark. The MooserWirt (since 1989) and the rebuilt Krazy Kanguruh (since 1965) sit right on the final run into the village.
• For polished après, choose Zermatt, Lech, Courchevel 1850, Klosters or Cortina, where champagne and fireside bars replace table dancing.
• Most big resorts open between late November and early December 2026. St Anton and Lech run from 2 December 2026 to 18 April 2027.
• Budget around €8 for a half-litre of beer in St Anton, and considerably more for champagne in the Swiss and French luxury resorts.

What Makes Great Après-Ski?

The best après-ski scenes share a few ingredients:

• Location on the slopes, so you can ski straight from the last run to the terrace
• Atmosphere, whether that means live bands and DJs or a crackling fire and a pianist
• Food worth staying for, from local soups to fresh seafood
• A safe way home, ideally a short, easy run, a lift or a reliable shuttle

One golden rule applies everywhere: if you plan to ski back down after après, pace yourself. Many of the most famous bars sit above the village, and the final descent is still a ski run.

Après-Ski in St Anton, Austria

St Anton am Arlberg is widely considered the capital of Alpine après-ski. Its reputation rests on a short stretch of mountainside where several famous bars line the home run, piste 50, just above the village. The 2026/27 Ski Arlberg season runs from 2 December 2026 to 18 April 2027.

A classic St Anton afternoon: start at Taps or the Krazy Kanguruh as the lifts slow, drift down to the MooserWirt by around 7pm before it closes at 8pm, ski the final few hundred metres to Basecamp by the Galzig gondola, then carry on in the village bars.

MooserWirt

Running since 1989, the MooserWirt sits directly on piste 50 and is the most famous après-ski bar in the Alps. Lunch is served from 11am, and the party starts around 3pm with DJs and a daily changing programme. The sprawling terrace holds about 3,000 people, and the bar itself claims to sell more beer per square metre than anywhere else in Austria. Non-skiers can walk up in a few minutes from the Dengert/Moos car park. Arrive by mid-afternoon if you want space on the terrace.

Krazy Kanguruh

The Krazy Kanguruh, known simply as KK, opened in 1965 and is St Anton’s oldest après-ski bar. It has been owned since 2009 by local Olympic slalom champion Mario Matt. The original wooden hut was demolished in summer 2025 and rebuilt in time for the 2025/26 season, with a glass winter garden, a raised DJ booth and a proper kitchen. Some long-time regulars miss the old ramshackle charm, but the sunny terrace and views over the village remain. Book a table if you are in a group.

Basecamp

Basecamp is an open-fronted bar beside the Galzig gondola at the bottom of the slopes, which makes it the easiest stop for non-skiers and the natural last call before the village. Expect live music, a DJ and a lively crowd from mid-afternoon.

Taps, Griabli and the village bars

Taps sits beside the Krazy Kanguruh and draws a younger, electronic-music crowd. Just below, Griabli is a rarity in the Alps: a rock bar, with live bands on some evenings in high season. Once the slopes close, the village bars around the pedestrian centre keep things going late into the night.

Where to stay in St Anton

For a luxury base right in the action, the Hotel Schwarzer Adler is a historic coaching inn in the village centre, run by the same family since 1885, with an indoor pool and a short walk to the Galzig gondola. For a quieter night, stay up the road in St Christoph, home to the Arlberg Hospiz Alm, a stylish mountain restaurant known for its fondue and an exceptional wine cellar. Our guide to the best luxury ski resorts in the world covers the Arlberg’s wider appeal.

Après-Ski in Lech and Zürs, Austria

Lech and Zürs share the Ski Arlberg lift pass with St Anton, but the mood is very different. Historically, students partied in St Anton while wealthy families chose Lech, and that split still shows. Après here is about a glass of champagne on a sunny terrace rather than dancing in ski boots.

• Schneggarei: a modern timber hut right on the piste at the bottom of the Schlegelkopf lift in Lech, with a sun terrace, wood-fired pizza and a relaxed but buzzing après scene.
• Schlegelkopf restaurant: at the top of the same lift, with a dedicated champagne room and a whisky lounge overlooking the village.
• Arlberg Hospiz Alm: skiable from Lech via the linking gondolas, and a favourite for a long, wine-led final stop.

Après-Ski in Ischgl and Saalbach, Austria

Ischgl is famous for big-name concerts at the start and end of the season, and for an après scene that runs from mid-afternoon to the small hours. Its 2026/27 season runs from 26 November 2026 to 2 May 2027. The Trofana Alm, a large two-storey wooden barn behind the five-star Trofana Royal on Dorfstrasse, has been one of its best-known venues since 1988. It opens from 3pm with international DJs, a sushi kitchen and plenty of champagne alongside the beer, which costs around €7.

Saalbach is another classic, part of the vast Skicircus area, with slope-side huts such as the Hinterhag Alm known for live music and singalongs from late afternoon. The season runs from 27 November 2026 to 4 April 2027.

Après-Ski in Kitzbühel, Austria

Kitzbühel combines a medieval town centre, a casino and the most famous downhill course in the world, the Streif. It is one of the earliest big resorts to open, running from 6 November 2026 to 4 April 2027.

• The Londoner: an English-style pub in the town centre since 1976 and Kitzbühel’s après institution, open from late afternoon until the early hours. It hosts one of the most sought-after parties of the Hahnenkamm race weekend in January.
• The Pavillon: on the lower slopes by the Hahnenkamm, the traditional place to kick off your skis after tackling the race route.

Après-Ski in Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier blends serious off-piste skiing with one of the liveliest nightlife scenes in Switzerland. The lifts are scheduled to run from early November 2026 to 25 April 2027, with the full area depending on snow.

• On the slopes: Le Mouton Noir and the Ice Cube bring the first wave of après as the lifts slow.
• Hotel Farinet: on the Place Centrale, its après bar has live bands every evening, followed by a DJ lounge open until 2am and the South nightclub until 4am. The hotel is open for winter from 1 December 2026 to 25 April 2027.
• Le Fer à Cheval: a local favourite near the Place Centrale, busy as soon as the lifts close.
• Chez Dany: a chalet restaurant in the hamlet of Clambin, reachable on skis, for a long Valais-style lunch that drifts into the afternoon. In the evening a taxi shuttle runs from Le Carrefour.
• The W Verbier: a more polished option, with cocktails, fireplaces and views over the Val de Bagnes.

Après-Ski in Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt’s après-ski is more sophisticated, set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Matterhorn. Glacier skiing runs almost year-round, and the main winter season continues until late April 2027.

• Elsie’s: a small wood-panelled wine and champagne bar on the Kirchplatz, opposite the church, founded in 1964. In winter it serves oysters, caviar, snails and homemade foie gras. Expect around CHF 19 for a glass of house champagne, while the best bottles are priced accordingly.
• CERVO Mountain Resort: ski-in terraces above the village with a DJ, making it Zermatt’s liveliest après spot. Stay for fondue at its Ferdinand restaurant.
• Mountain huts on the way down: Zermatt’s slopes are dotted with restaurants and bars where skiers stop for a final glass before skiing back to the village.

For a luxury stay, the Mont Cervin Palace sits in the heart of the village, while The Omnia perches on a rock above it with views of the Matterhorn. Zermatt is car-free, so even at its busiest the village keeps a calm atmosphere. It suits travellers who want a glass of good wine rather than a dance floor.

Après-Ski in the French Alps

France offers some of the most famous names in après-ski, and the country that invented clubbing at altitude.

• Val d’Isère: the original La Folie Douce began here, at the La Daille mid-station, when founder Luc Reversade turned a mountain restaurant into an open-air cabaret party. The brand now runs venues in several French resorts. Dick’s Tea Bar, open since 1979, is the resort’s legendary nightclub, but it is an after-dinner venue, with live music from 10.30pm and DJs after midnight.
• Méribel: the Rond Point, known as “the Ronnie”, is a lively terrace bar on the main piste with live music and sunshine. La Folie Douce Méribel-Courchevel is also within easy reach of both resorts.
• Courchevel 1850: après here is about champagne rather than chaos. Gather around the outdoor fires at La Terrasse at Cheval Blanc, take tapas at the bar of Le Chabichou, or settle into La Mangeoire’s piano bar.
• Val Thorens: Europe’s highest resort opens first in the 3 Vallées, on 21 November 2026, and its La Folie Douce draws big crowds after lunch.
• Chamonix: La Folie Douce Hotel Chamonix brings the cabaret format into town, with DJs, dancers and musicians from around 4pm.

Après-Ski in the Italian Alps: Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina, which co-hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics, does après the Italian way: an aperitivo and a stroll rather than a dance floor. In the early evening, the passeggiata along Corso Italia is part of the ritual.

• Hotel de la Poste: a former postal inn on Piazza Roma, run by the Manaigo family since 1835. Its wood-panelled bar is the town’s classic après cocktail stop.
• Enoteca Cortina: a wine bar with an exceptional list, ideal before dinner.
• Rifugio Averau: above the Cinque Torri, for a late lunch of Veneto cooking and northern Italian wines with spectacular Dolomites views.

The Most Refined Après-Ski

Not every luxury skier wants to dance on a table. For a quieter, more elegant après-ski, look for:

• Grand hotel bars, with open fires, live piano and a serious wine list
• Mountain restaurants that stay open after the lifts slow, with fondue, raclette and fine Alpine wines
• Spa time, swapping the bar for a sauna, steam room and thermal pool, as many luxury chalets and hotels now offer

Klosters is a good example. The Hotel Chesa Grischuna, opened in 1938, earned the nickname “Hollywood on the rocks” after hosting stars such as Greta Garbo and Gene Kelly. Its piano bar, painted with murals of winter scenes, has long been the place to be after skiing.

For travellers who want rest as much as fun, combining a ski trip with spa days is increasingly popular, as we explore in our guide to luxury wellness retreats. And if a Michelin-starred dinner follows your après in Courchevel or Lech, our guide to fine dining etiquette will help.

How Much Does Après-Ski Cost?

Prices vary widely across the Alps. In one widely cited survey of 15 European resorts by holiday operator Sunweb, five classic après drinks cost €39.70 in St Anton, the second most expensive on the list, while Méribel came top at €60 and Val d’Isère and Tignes were among the cheapest at €27. The figures below come from recent seasons, so expect modest rises for 2026/27.

Resort	Drink	Typical price
St Anton	Beer (0.5 litre)	About €7.90
St Anton	Glühwein	About €7.90
St Anton	Aperol spritz	About €12.40
Ischgl	Beer	About €7
Zermatt (Elsie’s)	Glass of house champagne	About CHF 19

As a rough guide, three or four drinks and a snack in an Austrian party resort comes to around €40 to €60 per person. In Courchevel, Zermatt or Lech, where champagne by the bottle is the norm, an afternoon can easily run into the hundreds. Tables at the busiest venues are often free but should be booked for groups, especially in February.

2026/27 Season Dates

Opening dates below are as announced by resorts and regional tourism boards at the time of writing. All depend on snow, and early-season openings are often partial.

Resort	Season 2026/27
St Anton and Lech Zürs	2 Dec 2026 to 18 Apr 2027
Ischgl	26 Nov 2026 to 2 May 2027
Saalbach	27 Nov 2026 to 4 Apr 2027
Kitzbühel	6 Nov 2026 to 4 Apr 2027
Verbier	Early Nov 2026 to 25 Apr 2027
Zermatt	Year-round glacier skiing; main winter season to late Apr 2027
Courchevel	4 Dec 2026 to 18 Apr 2027
Méribel	From 5 Dec 2026
Val Thorens	From 21 Nov 2026
Val d’Isère	Not yet confirmed; usually late November alongside Tignes

Getting There

• St Anton and Lech: St Anton has its own railway station on the Arlberg line, with trains from Zurich, Innsbruck and Vienna, so a car is unnecessary. Innsbruck is the nearest airport, roughly 100 km away. Lech is a short transfer from St Anton.
• Ischgl: fly to Innsbruck or Zurich, then transfer by road, or take the train to Landeck and the bus up the Paznaun valley.
• Kitzbühel: Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich airports are all within easy reach, and the town has its own railway station.
• Verbier: Geneva is the main gateway, about 160 km or two hours by road. By rail, take the direct train from Geneva Airport to Martigny, then the regional train to Le Châble and the gondola up. Helicopter transfers land at Le Châble.
• Zermatt: the village is car-free. Take the train from Geneva or Zurich, changing at Visp, which takes about three and a half to four hours, or drive to Täsch and take the shuttle train. Helicopter transfers are the fastest option.
• Courchevel, Méribel and Val d’Isère: Geneva, Chambéry and Lyon are the usual airports. Courchevel 1850 is about an hour and a half by road from Chambéry. By train, Moûtiers serves the 3 Vallées and Bourg-Saint-Maurice serves Val d’Isère.
• Cortina: Venice Marco Polo is the closest major airport, a little over two hours by road. If you are combining the trip with an Italian city break, see our guide to Italy’s high-speed trains.

Après-Ski Resort Comparison

Resort	Country	Après style	Best for
St Anton	Austria	Legendary, lively, slope-side	Party lovers and classic après
Lech Zürs	Austria	Polished, champagne terraces	Couples and families who want style
Ischgl	Austria	Big bars, concerts, late nights	Groups and nightlife
Saalbach	Austria	Traditional huts, singalongs	Fun, sociable trips
Kitzbühel	Austria	Historic town, famous pubs	Race fans and town lovers
Verbier	Switzerland	Village bars and stylish hotels	Off-piste skiers who party
Zermatt	Switzerland	Sophisticated, intimate	Couples and wine lovers
Klosters	Switzerland	Discreet, elegant	Quiet luxury
Val d’Isère	France	Cabaret terraces, late clubs	Big groups
Méribel	France	Sunny terraces, live music	Families and friends
Courchevel 1850	France	Champagne and fireside glamour	No-limits luxury
Cortina	Italy	Aperitivo and passeggiata	Food, wine and style

Tips for Enjoying Après-Ski Safely

1. Know your route home. Check which run leads back to your hotel and how difficult it is before you start drinking.
2. Eat as well as drink. Most après bars serve hearty food. Altitude, cold and exercise all magnify the effects of alcohol.
3. Drink water. Dehydration is easy at altitude, and it makes the next morning much harder.
4. Take the lift or a taxi if needed. In many resorts you can download by lift or take a snowcat or shuttle back to the village.
5. Dress for the evening chill. Temperatures drop quickly once the sun goes down. A warm layer makes a long terrace session far more comfortable. Our guide to what to pack for a luxury vacation includes ideas for elegant ski packing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best après-ski in the Alps?

St Anton in Austria is widely considered the best après-ski resort in the Alps, thanks to the MooserWirt and the Krazy Kanguruh. Ischgl, Kitzbühel and Val d’Isère are close rivals for a party, while Zermatt, Lech, Courchevel and Cortina lead for refined après.

Is the Krazy Kanguruh still open?

Yes. The original building was demolished in 2025 and rebuilt in time for the 2025/26 season, with a glass winter garden, a new kitchen and a raised DJ booth. It sits in the same spot on the home run above St Anton.

When does the 2026/27 ski season start?

Most major Alpine resorts open between late November and early December 2026. Kitzbühel opens early, on 6 November, while St Anton and Lech open on 2 December and Courchevel on 4 December. Après-ski is busiest from mid-January to March.

What time does après-ski start?

Après-ski usually begins as the lifts start to close, typically between around 3pm and 4pm. Slope-side bars such as the MooserWirt close at around 8pm so guests can ski down safely, and the party then moves into the village.

How much does après-ski cost?

Expect around €7 to €8 for a half-litre of beer in St Anton or Ischgl, and about CHF 19 for a glass of house champagne at Elsie’s in Zermatt. An afternoon of three or four drinks in an Austrian resort typically costs €40 to €60 per person.

What should you wear to après-ski?

Most people go straight from the slopes in their ski clothes and boots. A warm layer, a hat and sunglasses are useful, and many skiers change into smarter clothes for evening bars in the village, especially in Courchevel, Zermatt and Cortina.

Is St Anton good for beginners?

St Anton is best known for challenging skiing and après-ski, but it does have beginner areas and ski schools. Confident intermediate and advanced skiers will get the most from it. Non-skiers can still walk up to the MooserWirt or join the party at Basecamp.

Final Thoughts

Après-ski is as much a part of an Alpine holiday as the skiing itself. Whether you want the famous chaos of the MooserWirt in St Anton, the late nights of Verbier, oysters at Elsie’s in Zermatt, fireside champagne in Courchevel or an aperitivo in Cortina, there is a perfect après for every kind of skier. Choose your resort, know your route home and raise a glass to the mountains.

For up-to-date lift times and events, see the official St Anton am Arlberg tourism website, Ski Arlberg, Verbier Tourisme, Zermatt Tourism and Les 3 Vallées.