What Do You Really Need for a Proper Après-Ski Session?

This year I really want to soak up winter to the fullest—and not just on the slopes. I want to become an expert at après-ski. What gear do I need? Is anything besides a beer necessary? —Social Anxiety

Dear Anxiety,

“Need” is a strong word in this context. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, après-ski is defined as “the social activities and entertainment following a day’s skiing.” Technically, all you need to meet that definition is your friends and to have performed the act of skiing. But in my humble opinion, the very essence of après is joyful exuberance, which our dictionary definition does not cover. To successfully execute an après-ski session with gusto, there are three rules you should follow.

The first and most boring rule: you should be outside, which means you need to be warm. Though you can partake of après indoors, a true après affair takes place in the freezing temperatures of a parking lot or on the deck of a lodge—otherwise it’s just a run-of-the-mill bar night in technical garb. Let’s not forget the ski part of the term, which means that you’ll be standing around in a high-alpine environment, subject to harsh winter conditions. You’ll need clothing that’s somewhat waterproof and warm (down is best for cold and dry environments like the Colorado Front Range, whereas synthetic insulation is best for wetter climes like the Pacific Northwest). If you have access to a hot tub, forget clothing altogether.

Now, how you decide to stay warm comes down to personal preference, which leads to our next rule: you need to be stylish. I don’t mean high-fashion stylish; I mean you need a “look.” The appropriate après apparel can be a $300 white fluffy turtleneck with the words SNOW BUNNY on it, or a raggy old Hawaiian shirt found at the bottom of a dollar bin worn over a puffy. It can be homemade jorts over long johns or Gucci fur-lined jeans. Technically, you can persist with what you had on while skiing, but a sweat-soaked black Smartwool base layer doesn’t scream “I’m a good time!” You—and everyone else— will have more fun if you lean in to the festivities.

What does say “Let’s party!” is having a beverage in your hand. And to be very clear: it does not need to be an alcoholic beverage. Crack an ice-cold can of LaCroix or pop open a bottle of Martinelli’s. Hell, you can pull out a trendy probiotic soda and spark a riveting conversation about gut health. Regardless, holding a beverage is the essence of après, and it’s rule number three. It automatically sets the tone that you’re here to be social and to relax. I won’t judge you if you have a few parking-lot beers—just don’t be that person who forgets about the effects of altitude and takes a casual Sunday afternoon to a level it probably shouldn’t go.

In short, you don’t need much when it comes to après. But the more you commit to joyful celebration of an adrenaline-filled day sliding around on snow, the more you’ll hit upon the true meaning of the wonderful winter pastime. And who knows? You might be just as proficient at après as you are on your skis.

Send your questions to deargear@outsideinc.com.