Après Ski

For generations, skiers around the world have flocked to mountain ranges for the powder, and, just as importantly, for the culture surrounding the sport. In author Erin Isakov’s family, the same has always been true. Her parents met while working at California’s Mammoth Mountain in the ‘70s, and she was on skis as soon as she could walk. Growing up, her family skied all over the world, and today she continues that tradition with her own husband and children, exploring a different region each year. That deep-rooted love of the slopes inspired her to launch the brand Erin Snow in 2003, designing pieces that nod to skiing’s most glamorous era. Her new book, Après Ski, is both a tribute to that golden age and a practical guide for plotting your own Slim Aarons-worthy getaway—from what to wear and where to stay, to what regional aperitif to order when you’re fireside after the last lifts close. 

You’ve skied on mountain ranges all across the world. What are a few of your favorites? Did you take research trips while writing the book to get a sense for any regions better? 

Time in the mountains is a top priority for my family. While we spend most of our ski days in Utah, we make a point of visiting at least one other region each winter—building on decades of earlier ski travel.

One of my favorite places in the world to ski (and a place I happened to visit twice in recent years) is the Italian Dolomites. Days there are filled with ski-circuit adventures like the Sellaronda, epic runs such as La Longia, or even high-adrenaline carving down the Saslong World Cup downhill course. That’s followed by lunch at a mountaintop rifugio like Rifugio Salei for excellent pizza, a dip in an outdoor pool, an early evening aperitivo, and finally either a fabulous chalet dinner or a livelier evening in town. If visiting during the holiday season, add a pre-dinner stroll through one of the picturesque Christmas markets, preferably with a stop for a bombardino. The combination of scenery, food, culture, and terrain is incredibly hard to match.

What elements contribute to a great après scene?

Just as the book is divided into the scene, the style, and the menu, these three elements are essential to a great après-ski experience. First is the setting—perhaps a sun-drenched deck overlooking the mountains, or a cozy chalet with a roaring fire—which immediately establishes the mood. Style also plays a key role, shaping everything from refined elegance to playful excess. And finally, there’s the food and drink: a warming bombardino or vin chaud, chocolate or cheese fondue, charcuterie boards, or an unapologetically indulgent spread of nachos and beer.

What’s a bombardino?

The Bombardino is a quintessential après-ski concoction found across the Dolomites. The aptly named drink (“little bomb” in Italian) delivers a tiny but mighty punch of tasty alcoholic warmth in the form of Italian eggnog. While zabaglione is traditionally homemade, you can also use Advocaat or Zabov egg liqueurs.

Warm the zabaglione in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, pour the brandy into a glass mug. When the zabaglione is hot (but not boiling), slowly pour it into the mug and stir well to combine. Top your Bombardino with a generous dollop of whipped cream and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

3 ounces (90 ml) zabaglione

1/2 ounces (45 ml) brandy

Whipped cream, store-bought or homemade  

Ground cinnamon

When and where did après ski start?  

Legend has it that the modern ski holiday was born in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 1864, when hotelier Johannes Badrutt persuaded a group of Englishmen to spend the winter at his Engadiner Kulm Hotel—at a time when tourism in the region was largely limited to summer. The guests enjoyed themselves so much that they stayed until spring and returned year after year, bringing friends and family along with them.

After World War I, skiing and the concept of the winter holiday gained momentum across Europe and North America. Ski clubs formed, adventurous travelers flocked to emerging resorts, and glamorous social scenes developed to entertain celebrities and royalty. After a day of navigating challenging terrain and evolving ski techniques, it felt only natural to gather afterward—to share drinks, stories, and celebration. And so, après-ski was born. 

Your book has so many glamorous vintage photos of the golden age of skiing—is there anything you wish you could bring back from that time?  

That was very much my mission when we founded Erin Snow, and I believe we succeeded in reviving many of the styles and traditions I had long admired—things like in-the-boot ski pants, salopettes, and sweater balaclavas, to name just a few.

Today, some brands veer a bit too far into the gaudy when it comes to skiwear. For me, the ideal silhouettes reflect the timeless elegance of Jackie Kennedy blended with the classic sport style of Downhill Racer, all finished with a touch of fearless individuality.

The book surveys après-ski spots around the globe. How did après rituals, foods, style, etc. differ in the Alps, North America, Japan and beyond? 

Après-ski culture is deeply influenced by regional food traditions and local customs—sometimes even varying between neighboring resorts. In the Alps, the scene is highly developed and multifaceted, with an emphasis on long, leisurely meals (often with alcohol), relaxation, and entertainment. 

In North America, the experience tends to be more eclectic, ranging from rowdy dive bars to upscale venues inspired by European traditions. Japan offers something entirely unique, with a strong focus on wellness through its iconic onsens, blending traditional Japanese customs with more modern, Western-influenced après-ski experiences. 

Three favorite après-ski spots in the world?  

One of my personal favorites is spending a late afternoon in the saunas and pools of a small, family-run luxury chalet in the Italian Dolomites—I’ve been lucky enough to experience a few. In Selva di Val Gardena, the recently renovated Granvara Relais & Spa Hotel is a personal favorite on every level, and for families (especially with small children) there is no better choice than Family Hotel Biancaneve. For food and drinks, the Goldener Hirsch in Park City, Utah has long been a favorite and even inspired some menu items in my book.

While I still enjoy a lively après-ski scene from time to time, I’m more inclined to trade huge crowds for a more intimate setting where I can pre-book, enjoy table service, and still experience great music, food and drinks. Love Cervinia in the Breuil-Cervinia resort is a great example, and it can also be accessed from Zermatt on the Swiss side of the Matterhorn.

What are some typical/iconic foods or drinks you might encounter at après?

This varies widely by region, but some of my personal favorites include an Aperol Spritz, French onion soup, and nachos—ideally elevated versions, like my short-rib nachos featured in the book. For dessert, chocolate fondue with excellent dippables or a classic apple strudel always feels just right.

What are some hotels with great après scenes? 

In recent winters, The St. Regis Aspen Resort has been home to The Snow Lodge, which has helped elevate its status as one of Aspen’s most vibrant après-ski destinations. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz remains, to this day, one of the most iconic hotels—and après-ski scenes—in the world. An exciting addition this ski season is the new One&Only Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, with its impressive spa, sauna and pool options, including an outdoor onsen.

Did you encounter any après-ski scenes oriented around wellness rather than partying?

Absolutely—and increasingly, this is my preferred style of après-ski. Across the Alps, most hotels offer multiple sauna experiences and indoor-outdoor heated pools, making wellness the natural first stop once the skis come off. Japan’s natural hot springs provide their own deeply restorative take on après-ski. North America has taken inspiration from some of the great European resorts and now offers several hotels with world-class spas.

What ski area has the best style, in your opinion? 

St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Courchevel 1850, France, are both beacons of ski and après-ski style. In North America, Aspen, Colorado holds that distinction, with Deer Valley, Utah following behind.

Best for shopping?  

St. Moritz, Courchevel 1850, and Aspen also offer world-class shopping. Favorite retailers include Bernard Orcel in Courchevel, as well as Kemo Sabe and Performance Ski in Aspen. Many luxury fashion houses now have boutiques in these resort towns as well.

Another standout is Strolz in Lech, Austria—a legendary retailer long regarded by industry insiders as one of the most important ski shops in the world. In North America, Gorsuch holds a similar position, with locations throughout Colorado and Park City.

Is there a specific après scene that inspired your designs?

The après-ski scenes featuring Camilla Sparv and Robert Redford in the 1969 film Downhill Racer were a major influence on my designs, as was the broader golden era of the 1960s and ’70s.