It’s not just about the slopes! After a day of exploring the Austrian Alps, there is nothing quite like enjoying a piste-side drink with your family and friends. Enjoy everything from cosy bars, to piste-side parties and late-night antics. Après ski and nightlife are a massive part of a ski holiday in Austria. Here is our top pick of the best spots to enjoy après ski and nightlife in Austria.
St. Anton
Not only is St. Anton superb for its skiing, but the resort is home to some of the best après ski and nightlife in Austria. Ski hard and party hard is the atmosphere in the area. It is home to two legendary bars called The MooserWirt and The Krazy Kanguruh, both of which were made famous in the 60s. Other bars to visit are the Postkeller Piccadilly and the Post Keller, both of which have a lively atmosphere, often hosting live music. Expect to dance on tables and stay out into the early hours of the morning.
Stay At:
The Hotel Arlberg in St. Anton is an excellent four-star hotel with a pool located close to the centre of town.
Ischgl
Over the years Ischgl has hosted some huge ski season opening and closing festivals. Acts such as Muse, Elton John and the Beach Boys have all played in the ski resort. Throughout the ski season, there’s a lively nightlife scene with plenty of bars to visit. Head to the popular Schatzi bar at the Elizabeth Arthotel or have a dance in the Kitzloch bar. If you want to carry on the night into the early hours of the morning, head to the main nightclub called Pacha.
Stay At:
Hotel Jagerhof in Ischgl is run by the Jager family who provide a warm welcome to their traditional Tyrolian hotel.
Mayrhofen
Home to one of the biggest winter music festivals, Snowbombing, Mayrhofen has one of the best après ski and nightlife scenes in Austria. The festival has previously welcomed big acts such as Liam Gallagher, Stormzy and the Prodigy to the stage. There are many bars to enjoy yourself in around the village and the mountain. Pilzbar umbrella bar is a popular spot to start the party. The Ice Bar in the Hotel Strass is a great spot to enjoy a drink after lifts close. Also in Hotel Strass is the Arena Club, the area’s main nightclub. If you’re looking for a more relaxed drink Harakiri Bar is a lovely spot.
Stay At:
The homely Hotel Kramerwirt is situated in Mayrhofen in Austria and offers extensive spa facilities.
Sölden
The party starts early in the season for Sölden when the opening World Cup Alpine race comes to town. There is a great choice of bars and clubs in the area. From 3pm, Eugen’s Obstlerhütte starts the après in style with live music on its large terrace. After a day on the slopes, Giggi Tenne is a great place to share a drink at the bottom of the Giggijoch gondola. If you want to dance the night away, the Fire and Ice Club is open until the early hours of the morning.
Stay At:
Hotel Das Central in Sölden has a fantastic location and offers a free shuttle bus to the ski lifts.
Lech
Another ski resort in the Arlberg ski area that makes our best après ski and nightlife in Austria list is Lech. Nightlife in this resort is very different from neighbouring St. Anton. Expect modern, top-class bars rather than table-stomping après ski. If you love Champagne, then the Frozen Ice Bar at the top of the Schlegelkopf chairlift is a must-visit. The Tannbergerhof serves excellent mulled wine and has an open-air bar with stunning mountain views. Each luxury hotel in the area has excellent bars to enjoy too.
Stay At:
With its first-class service and top cuisine, the Hotel Arlberg in Lech has excellent reputation.
Söll
Part of the SkiWelt Ski Area, Söll has a reputation for being a great family ski destination. However, there is a lively après ski scene in the ski resort too. The Moonlight Bar at the bottom of the valley is a popular spot after a day on the mountain. Gasthöf Stöckalm is another favourite at the mid-station. If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere Rossini Cafe and Bella Vita are the places to be.
Stay At:
The beautiful family-run Hotel Tyrol is a charming property with excellent facilities in Söll.
Zell am See
It’s one of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world, but Zell am See also has some of the best après ski and nightlife in Austria. It has a mixture of party and sophisticated nightlife, which will keep many visitors entertained. There is something for everyone. Villa Crazy Daisy is the main hub of lively après ski in the ski resort. It’s busy throughout the season with a lively atmosphere. The Irish bar called O’Flannigans serves fantastic cocktails, perfect after a day on the slopes.
Stay At:
The Hotel Tirolerhof is a great four-star ski hotel in the Austrian resort of Zell am See.
Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel is home to the most famous ski race on the Alpine World Cup circuit, the Hahnenkamm downhill. Every year the town atmosphere is electric when the ski racing comes to visit. There are a few great ice bars at the foot of the slopes to start your après. In town, the legendary Londoner bar is a popular spot for a drink. For dancing into the early hours, head to Club Take Five, with three bars, two VIP areas and special guest DJs.
Stay At:
Hotel Kaiserhof Kitzbühel is a great ski-in ski-out hotel, situated right on the slopes and close to the lifts.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Saalbach-Hinterglemm has the perfect blend of lively and relaxed après ski and nightlife spots. If you’re in Saalbach, the party usually starts at the Hinethag Alm and then continues down into the Bauer’s Schi-Alm in town. Another favourite is an old converted medieval jail, which has been transformed into a bar, called the Zum Turm. A unique spot for a drink after a day on the slopes. The nightlife in Hinterglemm is very chilled. The Hintehag is a fun relaxed spot that is a goat-themed bar.
Stay At:
Alpin Resort and Spa has excellent modern and stylish facilities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room.
Flachau
There is a great selection of bars in Flachau to enjoy. Whether you want a relaxing drink on a sun terrace or to dance at a lively bar, the ski resort has something for everyone. At the foot of the legendary Hermann Maier World Cup run, is the popular Hofstadl bar. Enjoy loud après ski music and a wide selection of beers on tap. In the middle of the village, the Downtown Disco & Bar is a great way to have a boogie and a drink.
To find out more about the best après ski and nightlife in Austria, call our ski experts on 020 7471 7700.
