Brains
Most people hit up the slopes strictly for skiing and snowboarding; the incredible feeling of sliding on snow is truly unlike anything else. But others come for a good time both on and off of the mountain; the après-ski vibes and nightlife are often just as important and thrilling as the actual skiing itself.
We asked our SnowBrains readers: What ski town has the most fun nightlife? Although there were a wide range of answers all across the world, a handful of locations clearly stood out from all of the rest. Out of nearly 150 comments, there were multiple places with 10 or more shoutouts. From gambling to table dancing in ski boots, the party starts on the slopes and seemingly never ends in these top five ski towns with the most fun nightlife.
#5 Ischgl, Austria
No wonder Ischgl is nicknamed ‘Ibiza of the Alps’; the party starts on the slopes during the day, and continues at the nightclubs into the early hours of the morning. Just don’t forget: once you start with the on-mountain après activities, you still have to make it down the mountain safely. You can expect world-class DJ sets and huge outdoor concerts, like the Top of the Mountain series — the world’s highest music festival — all season long. Within the village, dozens of restaurants, bars, and clubs keep the vibes going all day and night with delicious food and drinks. From table dancing ‘til dawn, before the real late-night get-down goes until just hours before the lifts start spinning, every day, Ischgl is sure to provide an outrageously rowdy, good time.
#4 Aspen, Colorado, USA
Imagine a ski-in, ski-out restaurant that turns into a full-blown party with bottles of Veuve Clicquot being popped and sprayed everywhere, while the DJ jams and patrons dance on tables in their ski boots. That’s the scene at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro at Aspen Highlands, where, like in Europe, the après-ski shenanigans get started on the mountain. Once again, just make sure to stay composed enough to ski back down. Once in town, a huge variety of dining and drinking options range from Michelin star to dive bar. The good-times continue with world-renowned DJs spinning tunes every weekend in a beautiful, mountain-side courtyard setting; or visit the clubs and keep things going at some places until 2 a.m., all season long.
#3 St. Anton, Austria
Widely recognized as the ‘world capital of après-ski’, the party scene starts with a bang on-mountain and slope-side, and doesn’t stop until the wee hours of the morning. From 3 to 8 p.m., the peak après-ski partying takes place. Kick things off with retro DJs in an electric atmosphere at one of the multiple famous on-mountain bars. But if you stay long enough, you could be skiing back down to the village in the dark. Then, continue the night at the Umbrella at Basecamp, where skiers finish their day, and the evening’s non-skiing foot-traffic picks up. And if you’re still going strong after that, numerous nightclubs don’t shut it down until the sun’s coming up.
#2 South Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Step off the gondola and walk directly to dozens of drinking and dining options right in the village, or head to the casinos situated just across the border in Stateline, Nevada. On the mountain, the après-ski vibes begin on the weekends with the Heavenly DJ Cat, a mobile snowcat with a fully equipped DJ booth that provides the tunes and good times. When that wraps up, the village transforms with live musicians across various stages, and tons of places to eat, drink, and continue the night’s adventures. For the late night crowd, gambling is legal in Nevada, and four casinos and a 24/7 bar and dining option are clustered together for those looking to keep the party going all night long. Plus, who knows, maybe you’ll win back the cost of your ski trip.
#1 Whistler, Canada
North America’s largest ski resort also boasts the number one spot for ski towns with the most fun nightlife. Slope-side action starts with champagne popping and tabletop dancing as DJs pump the jams on large heated patios just steps away from the gondolas at the base. The large, pedestrian only village allows easy access and transitioning from one location to the next. Options feel endless for delicious restaurants and watering holes, which will likely have live music to add to the vibrant ambiance. As the night goes on, a handful of clubs stay open until the early morning to dance the night away and create even more unforgettable memories.
