Après-Ski Outfit Guide: Everything You Need After the Slopes

A good après-ski outfit is warm, dry and comfortable enough to wear for hours. Start with a fresh base layer, add a sweater or fleece, comfortable pants and waterproof winter boots with good grip. Bring a warm jacket for the walk home, plus a small bag for your phone, cards and other essentials.

Après-ski is the reward after a day on the slopes. When the lifts close, some people head straight to the terrace in their ski gear while others change into something warmer and more relaxed. Both work. What you wear depends on whether you're staying slopeside, heading to a bar or going somewhere more polished for dinner.

The Après-Ski Outfit Formula.

The formula is simple. Stay warm. Stay dry. Look like you meant it.

Piece	What Works	Why
Top	Knit sweater, fleece or turtleneck	Warm indoors and out
Pants	Jeans, corduroys, joggers or leggings	Comfortable for sitting and dancing
Shoes	Waterproof snow boots with a rubber sole	Better traction in winter conditions
Jacket	Puffer or your ski jacket	Warmth between bars
Extras	Beanie, sunglasses, small bag	Sun on the terrace, essentials close

Start With a Dry Layer.

A full day on the slopes means sweat. Sitting still in a damp base layer is the fastest way to get cold at après.

If you can, change into a fresh base layer or t-shirt after your last run. Merino works well here too. It stays comfortable in a warm bar and doesn't smell after a long day.

Put on dry socks at the same time. It sounds small. It changes your whole evening.

A Sweater Worth Showing Off.

The sweater is the star of the après-ski outfit. It's the piece people see when the jackets come off.

A chunky knit is the classic choice. Nordic patterns fit right in. We might be a little biased there. A turtleneck or a zip fleece works too if you prefer a cleaner look.

Choose wool or a wool blend if you can. It keeps you warm on the terrace and breathes when the bar gets crowded.

Pants You Can Sit In All Evening.

On the slopes, jeans are a bad idea. At après they're fine. You're dry, you're inside or close to it and you're not falling in the snow. At least not on purpose.

Good options:

Jeans or corduroys for a relaxed look
Joggers or fleece pants for comfort
Leggings with a long sweater
Your ski pants if you're heading straight from the slopes. Open the vents and drop the bib straps off your shoulders when it gets warm.

Boots That Handle Ice.

This is the most important part of your après-ski outfit. Resort streets are icy after sunset. Stairs are wet. The walk home is often downhill.

Wear waterproof snow boots or winter boots with a grippy outsole designed for snow and winter conditions. They'll help keep your feet dry in slush, but take extra care on icy surfaces. Heels and smooth-soled sneakers are better saved for somewhere without snow underfoot.

What about ski boots? Dancing on tables in ski boots is an Alpine tradition. Walking down an icy street in them is not.

A Warm Layer for the Walk Home.

Temperatures drop fast when the sun goes down. A sunny 35°F terrace can feel like a different place by 7 p.m.

A puffer jacket is the easy choice. It packs small and keeps you warm between the bar and the chalet. Your ski jacket works too.

Db photographer Hallvard Kolltveit packs the same way. In his Pack Heavy, Chase Light episode he only brings gear that does double duty. Like a jacket that gets him up the mountain and then to the pub. One jacket. Two jobs. That's après in a nutshell.

Après-Ski Outfit Ideas for Every Scene.

Every après is different. Here is how I'd dress for each.

The Sunny Terrace.

Keep your ski pants on. Swap the ski jacket for a fleece or a sweater. Add sunglasses and sunscreen. UV levels rise about 10% with every 3,300 feet of altitude, according to the WHO. Fresh snow almost doubles your exposure. The terrace counts too.

The Bar and the DJ Set.

Expect it to get hot. Wear a light layer under your sweater so you can take it off on the dance floor. Pick boots you can stand and dance in for hours.

Dinner in the Village.

Go one step up. A clean knit or turtleneck. Dark jeans or corduroys. Weather-resistant leather or treated suede winter boots with a grippy sole. A wool coat or a sleek puffer on top.

Themed Après Parties.

Some resorts love a theme night. The retro one-piece ski suit is the big one. Neon colors, headbands and big sunglasses are all part of it.

Check thrift stores and secondhand shops before you buy. Your parents' attic is also worth a look. Wear a light layer underneath. One-piece suits get hot fast inside a packed bar.

The Small Things You'll Want With You.

You don't want to carry a backpack all evening. You also don't want to lose your phone in the snow. Here's what I bring:

Phone and a small power bank
Cards and ID
Lip balm and sunscreen
Sunglasses for the terrace
A beanie and light gloves
Hand warmers

A small sling bag keeps it all close without getting in the way. The Roamer Pro Sling Bag 6L sits across your body and has room for the essentials. Hands free for the drinks.

Swap Your Boots Before You Go.

Après usually starts around 3:30 or 4 p.m. when the lifts close. There's rarely time to go back and change. So plan it in the morning. Pack your après boots, a fresh top and dry socks in one bag. Leave it in a locker, the car or at the lodge.

After your last run, change into your dry layers and winter boots and you're ready to head out without making a separate trip back to your accommodation. A boot bag makes the switch easy. Find one among our ski boot and helmet bags.

What Not to Wear to Après-Ski.

Your ski boots all night. Fine for one drink. Painful after three.
A damp base layer. Warm bars make you sweat. Cold streets make you shiver.
Shoes made for dry streets. Heels and smooth-soled sneakers offer little protection from snow and slush and can be slippery in winter conditions.
Too many bulky layers. Bars get hot. Wear layers you can take off and carry.

Pack Your Après Outfit.

Après clothes take up space. Sweaters and boots are heavy. Plan for them when you pack.

Roll your sweaters instead of folding them. Stuff socks inside your boots. Wear your chunkiest sweater on the plane. It doubles as a pillow. Your ski bag can also hold soft items around your skis. Our ski travel bags are built for that.

Your Après-Ski Checklist.

Wear:

Fresh base layer or t-shirt
Sweater or fleece
Jeans, corduroys, joggers or leggings
Waterproof snow boots
Puffer or ski jacket

Bring:

Dry socks
Beanie and gloves
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Phone, cards and ID
Hand warmers

The Day Isn't Over Yet.

The best après-ski outfit keeps you warm, dry and on your feet. Change your layers. Trust your boots. Keep your hands free.

The lifts close at four. The fun doesn't have to.

Still choosing where to go? Our guide to the best ski resorts for après-ski covers the top spots in the U.S. and Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What Do You Wear to Après-Ski?

Wear a warm sweater or fleece, comfortable pants and waterproof snow boots with good grip. Add a puffer jacket for the evening. Change into a dry layer after skiing if you can.

Can You Wear Ski Pants to Après-Ski?

Yes. Staying in ski pants is common at slopeside après bars and terraces, especially right after the lifts close. Swap your ski jacket for a sweater and open the vents if you get warm.

What Shoes Do You Wear to Après-Ski?

Wear waterproof winter or snow boots with an outsole designed for winter conditions. Resort streets can be snowy, wet or icy after sunset, so traction and weather protection matter. Ski boots are fine if you're staying at a slopeside bar, but winter boots are more practical once you're walking around the resort.

Can You Wear Jeans to Après-Ski?

Yes. Jeans are a bad choice for skiing but fine for après. You're dry and mostly indoors. Pair them with a warm sweater and snow boots.

What Is a Good Après-Ski Party Outfit?

Pick a light layer under a bold sweater so you can cool down on the dance floor. For a themed night a retro one-piece ski suit, a headband and big sunglasses are classic.