Après ski comes in many shapes and sizes. Resorts have built their après scenes to cater for all alpine adventurers’ needs and therefore the spread of après ski options is now vast and full of so many fantastic variations. I’m sure you have seen many.
There are definitely some key players in the après industry that stand tall as the party pinnacle locations in skiing. Places that have been able to create their own image, lifestyle and fan base to dominate the ski party arena. As you read this I can imagine you have already thought of those big French names such as Folie Douce, Bar 360, L’Arpette or Jacks Bar, and although I agree that all these places definitely stand strong in the après ski hall of fame, on the other side of the Alps there is a whole different level of après going on.
I am talking about Austria. The guys and girls on the Eastern side of the Alps seem to have got their après ski scene absolutely perfected and it is a whole different ball game. It is a specific resort that really personifies the party scene and possesses two of the most wild, unique and bonkers on piste bars ever to be experienced.
ON PISTE APRES SKI
Some of you will already be well aware of where I am talking about, it is of course St Anton and the bars are Krazy Kanguruh and Mooserwirt.
These two St Anton après bars sit on opposing sides of the Zammermoos piste, which is the final piste that runs down into the resort underneath the Galzig lift. They can be heard from an unconceivable distance as you approach and as you turn the final corner they both come into view with the noticeable onslaught of the crowds and madness.
The venues both hum with such an exceptional atmosphere that you instantly know you are in for a treat once you step through the archways of either bar. The ‘europop’ tunes blare out from an overly eccentric DJ accompanied by the snow groupies around him hoping for a photo opportunity and a spot of après fame. As the venues fill the tables become the extension of the dance floor and the bodies soon fill every nook and cranny each with a drink in hand, goggles swapped for sunglasses and usually an item of clothing being swung around the head.
The drinks flow and the iconic Mooserwirt bar staff strut out of the bar and onto the dance floor with what can only be described as an obscene plethora of various steins, pints, bottles and shots on a single tray being held above the head. It has to be seen to be believed!
At Mooserwirt the wackiness develops with the music pounding on, the balconies filling up and the abundance of laughter and dancing continues on as the sun drops below the mountain tops. An important point to note is that unlike the French on piste après ski bars, these two St Anton venues do not shut at 5pm. No, no, no, they keep the funky tunes booming and the drinks flowing until around 8pm. Here the party stops for no man!
Over at Krazy Kanguruh holidaymakers from all over the world can be spotted as they enjoy the refreshment of a beer, or two, or three. Inside KKs the party continues and the 360 degree bar soon lines itself up with an outrageous assortment of shots being ordered and consumed from every angle. This is usually accompanied by the talents of musicians with their own take on classic tunes whilst the majority of the crowd look for the highest point in the bar to perch upon and dance.
So as the insanity settles and the music fades, the merry crowd makes their way out onto the slope now with only one task at hand…to get down the piste. As you can imagine each individual designs their own method of descending down the rest of the hill into town.
Some have come equipped with sledges, some have acquired bin bags from the venue and skid down in those. Others attempt to walk or run down which usually ends in a face first descent, whilst all the skiers have either completely forgotten how their two planks work or have become completely over confident and whip down the slope backwards with their helmet on upside down and a bottle of wine still in hand; they too soon end up splayed across the piste or wrapped around a snow cannon, but still with a smile ear to ear.
All being said it is a true highlight of the whole Moosewirt/Krazy Kanguruh experience.
St Anton as a resort itself does not only hold these two bars on its pedestal. The whole resort boasts so many brilliantly original and outstanding bars, pubs and clubs that all offer a different experience and an incredible night out. (Usually after your Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh visit).
So if you’re looking for that new après ski experience and want to step out of your comfort zone and into a world of utter wild fun then you have to check out St Anton and its ‘mad beyond belief’ bars Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh. Just touch up a little on your less sober skiing ability first. Enjoy!
If you fancy visiting St Anton to experience this world famous après and also to take on some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Europe, just give us a call on 00 44 207 117 2085 or enquire below.
