The Unwritten Rules of Après Ski Nobody Tells You (Until You Break One)
Aspen Skiing Co. once said guests at Cloud Nine treat the cleanup snowcat like "a free taxi ride home." That's the whole problem with après ski etiquette in a nutshell. No one is handing out rulebooks with your season pass on how to handle yourself once the lifts stop spinning. So without knowing, most people end up breaking them. That said, here is my version of the unwritten rules of après ski.
Some of them are just common manners. Some are rooted in folklore. A few are real life laws.
Tools for Doing Après Right
Booking.com for lodging within walking distance of the bar, so the drive home is a non issue.
DiscoverCars for the trip in, so you're not stuck relying on one ride out.
Viator for the things to book ahead, sleigh rides, tours, anything that fills a day that isn't the bar.
RovR for the tailgate cooler, since the best après sometimes happens in the parking lot.
Akova Gear for layers that go from lift line to patio without freezing you out.
Liquid I.V. because altitude and a few rounds is a combo, and this is the one thing that helps.
Clipstic for keeping your poles and skis clipped together so when you lock them up they don't vanish from the rack.
Ryze Mushroom Coffee for the morning after, get it here.
Après Ski Rules: Ski Down First, Then Drink
The order matters more than you think. In Colorado, using a ski slope while under the influence is a civil infraction with a find of up to $1000. While it's not a DUI, it's still a pretty bad way to end the day, especially when you factor in the multiple rounds of $14 beers that you just paid for. Bottom line, don't try to flex and show everyone how great you ski drunk that's a great way to end up in a sled. And, definitely don't rely on the chairlift to get you down. That designated driver is closed for the day.
Does Alcohol Affect You More at Altitude?
No, not the way you think it does. According to Dr. Peter Hackett of the Institute for Altitude Medicine in Telluride, the "two drinks up here equals four at sea level" idea is a myth. He continues to say, "you're not getting drunk faster." What is happening is that the altitude makes you feel the booze more while your body acclimates to it. As a result, your blood alcohol isn't higher, but the pounding in your head is definitely harder. The simple fix is to drink water throughout the day and between rounds. Elevation is not an excuse for being a lightweight.
How Do I Keep My Skis From Getting Stolen?
Quite simply...lock them. During the 2023-2024 season, Breckenridge police logged 21 ski and snowboard thefts in the first seven weeks alone. That was a huge jump when you consider that there were only three the year before. According the Summit County's sheriff, this is the modern equivalent of stealing someone's horse from a hitch post in the Old West.
Do yourself a favor and invest in a cheap cable lock or check your skis in the lodge if they offer it. The few dollars will be worth the peace of mind you'll have when you're not thinking about some drunk person thinking your Armada's are the same as their Head skis. Also, when you are locking them up, use the racks. Stop laying them flat just outside the doorway. The tripping hazard you set up is peak Jerry behavior.
How Much Do You Tip at Après Ski?
Tip early and often and you'll be rewarded for it. Don't wait on the tab. The bartenders are working their butts off to make après ski great again...and to pay their rent. Ski town housing is not joke. Studios under 1000 square feet can rent for up to $2500 a month depending on which town you are in. That's roughly one third of a bartenders income. While compliments are nice, they don't pay their rent.
Can Kids Go to Cloud Nine in Aspen?
No they can not. At least not in the fun party seating part of the bar. It is a requirement that guests be 21 or older for the après seating at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro at Aspen Highlands. You also have to be at least an intermediate skier since there is no way to get down when it's over but ski. This rule was put into play a little while back after shaking and spraying $100+ champagne bottles became the norm. Cloud 9 is no dive bar, that's for sure. It's a club with a strict door policy and requires reservations. So be sure to check ahead.
Why Do You Make Eye Contact When You Toast?
In the Ladin speaking culture across northern Italy, when speaking après, you look the person in the eye when you toast. Don't, well that may end up costing you seven years of bad luck in the bedroom according to some folklore. While there is no factual evidence to this interesting rule, it's real enough that you may not want to find out for yourself. Instead, just put the phone down, look up and say, Vivas!
Who Invented the Shotski?
Photo Credit: Visit Park City
Truth is, nobody knows invented the shotski. But, whoever did should have a shrine dedicated to them.
While the origins are a bit murky, competing claims come from Austria and a ski team legend at the University of British Columbia. Neither, however, can be confirmed. What can be confirmed is that on October 10, 2026 Park City reclaimed the record for the world's longest shotski. 1,430 people, 550 skis bolted together and 1,430 shots of High West Whiskey being lifted and drank in unison. Man, I'd hate to be the shortest person in this shotski.
Don't Be Late for the Last Run Home
Without question, the most dangerous part of après for everyone is the drive. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case the jail cell. Last January, Colorado's two week DUI crackdown produced over 370 arrests in one winter across the state.
Pro Tip: plan your ride before the first round is purchased. Designate a driver or stay where you are drinking. I-70 does not care one bit about your epic powder day.
Last Call: The Only Après Ski Rule That Really Matters
While all of these other rules matter, there's one rule underneath all the others that matters most. Everyone has to get down the mountain safely. Even the people pouring your drinks. Tip the first round, lock your skis, look them in the eye, and the rest takes care of itself.
