The best après-ski spots in Italy

For many, alongside the skiing and snow fun, the highlight of a ski trip is après-ski: pleasantly sore from the exercise and invigorated by the cold (or simply after an afternoon sunbathing on a deckchair), you finally gather with friends for carefree moments with a drink in hand. Whether you are still at the foot of the slopes in ski suit and boots or already back in town, après-ski is the definitive way to wrap up the day—surrounded by friends, listening to music, meeting new people and warming up inside and out with a great drink and a few bites. And what better drink to enjoy than an Aperol Spritz, an iconic Italian aperitivo loved the world over as the ideal choice to celebrate life’s most carefree moments? Its unmistakable bittersweet flavour, drawn from a blend of herbs and roots, makes it versatile for any occasion, and it is perfect before dinner or for a toast among good company. With that in mind, we have rounded up the best après-ski venues across Italy’s most prestigious ski resorts, where you can unwind after a day on the slopes with good vibes and the Bel Paese’s favourite bright-orange aperitivo.

Veneto

We start in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Queen of the Dolomites. Prized as much for its 120 km of ski runs as for its vibrant social scene, Cortina is packed with après-ski bars. Among them, the bar at Hotel de Len, set right in the centre, offers a warm, wood-panelled setting with an intimate feel—ideal for those keen to explore fine spirits or classic cocktails with a twist, as well as anyone for whom aperitivo means an Aperol Spritz. If a full day on the slopes has worked up an appetite, head to Molo Pub Cortina, an inviting, laid-back pub famed for its generous sandwiches, the perfect match for a curated list of cocktails and house-made liqueurs. Another central Cortina staple is Janbo Snack Disco Bar, a go-to for après-ski, aperitivo hours and evenings with DJ sets, live music and a generous cocktail selection.

Trentino Alto Adige

Over in Bolzano, where an afternoon can easily include a stroll through the renowned Christmas markets, a stop at Black Sheep is essential. This popular cocktail bar covers everything from all-time classics like the Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Americano and Boulevardier to daring mixology creations. In Madonna di Campiglio, the main gateway to the Brenta Dolomites with 150 km of runs and a romantic pedestrian centre, the place to be is Lab, a lively bar serving craft cocktails accompanied by live music and DJ sets. In the same town, the historic Cafè D’Or has been pouring drinks for around 40 years, serving inventive cocktails alongside classic Italian aperitivi. Up on Alpe Tognola in San Martino di Castrozza, after descending some of Trentino’s most panoramic slopes, Campo Base Après Ski, perched right by the lift departure and minutes from town, delivers dramatic views, upbeat tunes and a drink in hand to end the ski day in style.

Piedmont

Sestriere, about an hour and a half’s drive from Turin, regularly hosts the Alpine Ski World Cup; with over 400 kilometres of linked pistes, it is one of the most sought-after destinations for young people and winter sports lovers of all ages, thanks also to its nightlife and après-ski spots. Standout among them is Kovo, ideal to décompresser, as our French neighbours say, after a long day on the slopes, spending an evening with friends listening to great music and enjoying the classic pairing of a sharing platter and an Aperol Spritz. In Bardonecchia, in upper Val di Susa, another major winter sports destination with around 100 km of pistes, when the sun goes down head to Medail Birreria Gastronomica to recharge with draught beers, over 40 types of gin, traditional drinks, burgers and grilled specialities. Meanwhile in nearby Sauze d’Oulx, a popular winter destination prized for its unspoilt nature and record hours of sunshine, the quintessential après-ski is the lounge bar at Hotel K2, where you can sample a selection of aperitivi, sophisticated cocktails and top-label wines served with assorted nibbles. The highlight? The inviting ‘bubbles’ out on the terrace, perfect for couples or an aperitivo with a few close friends, overlooking the mountains… priceless when it snows outside!

Valle d’Aosta

At the foot of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur offers over 100 km of runs, snowparks and heli-skiing options for thrill-seekers. Once off the slopes, head straight to Super G, arguably the most glamorous and famous après-ski venue in the Italian Alps, where everyone gathers with an Aperol Spritz for the lively Aperol Orange Wave events. Also in Courmayeur, Alkemì, which doubles as a seafood and sushi restaurant, offers an international mood and an extensive cocktail selection for a post-ski drink. In Pila, famous for ski-in ski-out access across the resort, don’t miss Chalet du soleil, a traditional timber cabin right on the pistes where you can share a spritz with friends. In Breuil-Cervinia, one of the Alps’ premier ski resorts, the post-ski party happens at Yeti Bar, a classic venue in the heart of town facing the slopes. In Champoluc, the main hub of Val d’Ayas, finish the day in the shadow of Monte Rosa at the cosy bar of restaurant L’Essentiel da Andreone, which serves signature cocktails, aperitivi and niche spirits, also out on its panoramic terrace.

Lombardy

Bormio is the ultimate destination for those looking to balance skiing with wellness and thermal baths. You can combine thermal relaxation with aperitivo hour at Caffè Ugo’s, inside the five-star Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi by QC Terme. Traditionalists head for après-ski at Bar Bormio, founded in 1892, where the lights dim, the volume goes up and classic aperitivo snacks come out. Also in Bormio, make a stop at BeWhite: sitting at the base of the cable car to Bormio 2000, it offers a high-energy après-ski with DJ sets and cocktails while still wearing your ski boots. Near the Swiss border, Livigno is renowned for its expansive snowparks and vast slopes. When the lifts close, head to the bustling Bivio Bistrot: set near the pedestrian zone and styled in alpine wood, it welcomes guests from breakfast past midnight, coming alive at dusk with live music, smiles and top-tier cocktails.

cover@DumeSMuXgao/Unsplash