Last chair's done. Your legs are toast, your goggle tan is locked in, and somebody already grabbed the picnic table by the fire pit. Time for the part of the day nobody trains for.
There's no dress code for après. Nobody's checking. But there's a real difference between "had a great day" and "my ski bag beat me up in the parking lot." Here's how we do it.
Three rules. That's it.
1. Get out of the wet stuff. One beer at the bottom of the lift in your shell pants? Sure. A whole night? Change. Damp layers go ice-cold the second you stop moving, and you'll be outside more than you think.
2. Warm on the bottom, loud on top. Your feet and legs eat the snow and slush. Put your warmth there. Then have fun up top, because that's what everybody sees.
3. Wear stuff you can peel off. Après goes from frozen deck to packed, sweaty bar in about ten steps. Don't be the guy stuck in a half-zip in a crowd.
The pieces
Boots that actually grip
Don't cheap out here. Packed snow, ice, wet wooden decks. Waterproof winter boots with real lugs win every time. Walking around in ski boots all night is a great way to end it early, so stash a pair in the car or locker.
Pants that aren't ski pants
Corduroy, lined pants, dark jeans. Cords are the classic for a reason: warm, soft, and they hide slush. Joggers are fine for the condo.
A mid layer with some attitude
Flannel, fleece, a chunky sweater, a vest. Go loud. Mountain towns have always dressed a little weirder than cities. Lean in.
A tee you actually want people to see
Straight talk: cotton on the hill is a bad move. It holds sweat and gets cold. Off the hill, totally different story. Once your base layer is off, a heavyweight cotton tee is exactly what you want at the bar: soft, warm enough inside, and the thing everyone sees when the jacket comes off.
That's our whole deal. The First Snow Lodge Long Sleeve Tee is pretty much built for this: a vintage lodge badge on the back, printed on a Comfort Colors 6014 heavyweight, garment-dyed long sleeve. Throw an open flannel over it and you look like you ski a lot, without having to tell anyone.
A jacket that isn't your shell
Your shell works in a pinch. A puffy or a beat-up canvas work jacket feels more like après. If it packs small, keep it in your bag and swap at the car.
The small stuff
Beanie (helmet hair is undefeated), sunglasses for the deck, warm gloves. Done.
Five après-ski outfits
1. The deck session
You're not changing, you're not leaving. Keep the ski pants, ditch the shell and the swampy base layer, pull on a clean long sleeve and a vest. The Ski Goat Long Sleeve Tee (Red) has our goat ripping downhill, printed big across the back. Hard to be more on-theme than that. Beanie, sunglasses, go.
2. The lodge bar
Cords, lugged boots, a flannel, and a heavyweight tee underneath for when the room gets hot. The First Snow Lodge Tee in Espresso or Moss looks like it's been hanging in that lodge since the 70s.
3. The snowboard crew
Baggy pants, skate-style winter boots, a hoodie or a giant fleece, a graphic long sleeve. The Snowboard Goat Long Sleeve Tee has our goat strapped in and sending it, big on the back.
4. Dinner in town
Dark jeans, clean boots, a crewneck sweater. Keep the tee low-key: a small chest hit like The Crest Tee or the Elevation Club Tee sits under a sweater without fighting it.
5. The condo hang
Hot tub, cards, somebody's chili. Sweats are legal. Thick socks, slides, joggers, a heavyweight tee. The Dusk Stripe Tee brings the 80s sunset stripes, which goes great with a playlist of questionable ski-movie soundtracks.
For women (and honestly anyone)
Everything above works for everybody. A few extras that come up a lot:
- Fleece-lined leggings under a long sweater. Warm, easy to pack.
- Tall, flat, waterproof boots that handle slush and still look good at dinner.
- A puffer, short or long depending on how far the walk home is.
- An oversized long sleeve over leggings. Comfy, still looks put-together. Our long sleeves are a relaxed unisex fit, so size down for a closer fit or go true to size for the big, slouchy look.
What not to wear
- Ski boots all night. Your feet will hate you. So will the stairs.
- Smooth-soled shoes. Icy decks are not where you test your balance.
- Your damp base layer. Cold the second you step outside.
- Brand-new everything. Ski towns can smell a freshly unboxed outfit. A worn-in tee and a fleece with some stories beats looking like a catalog.
The après kit
Driving up or have a locker? Pack one small bag: boots, dry pants, a clean tee or long sleeve, a mid layer, a beanie, deodorant and a phone charger. Takes ten minutes to change. It's the difference between one drink and the whole night. More Field Notes: packing for the trip? Here's the ski trip packing list we actually use. Shopping for a ski buddy? Try our gifts for skiers under $50.
FAQ
What do you wear to après-ski? Grippy waterproof boots, dry pants that aren't your ski pants, a clean tee or long sleeve, a fun mid layer, and a jacket you can ditch easily. Beanie and sunglasses on top.
Can you wear ski pants to après-ski? Yep, especially at a slopeside bar right after skiing. Going out for the night? Change into something dry.
Is a cotton tee OK for skiing? Not as a base layer. Cotton holds sweat and gets cold. Wear wool or synthetic on the hill and save the heavyweight cotton for après.
Are jeans OK for après-ski? Dark jeans are fine indoors. If you'll be outside a lot, cords or lined pants are warmer.
Last chair, first round
Après is the best part of skiing. No lift lines, nobody grading your turns, just your crew and a story about the run that almost went sideways. Keep your feet warm, wear something with a little personality, and you're good.
Grab a long sleeve for the off-mountain layer, or check out our gifts for the friend who's always first in line for first chair.