The best après-ski locations in Obereggen
Bright sunshine, fabulous views of the Dolomites, perfectly groomed slopes. Skiing in Obereggen could hardly be more beautiful. But a perfect day's skiing against the panoramic backdrop of the Latemar also needs a triumphant finale. Be it a lively party, cocktails with a view, or a cool club atmosphere - the possibilities for après-ski in the Ski Center Latemar are as varied as the resort itself. We’ll show you the best places to round off your day’s skiing.
1. Ganischgeralm
The après-ski parties in the umbrella bar at the Ganischgeralm are legendary. Georg Pichler, aka DJ Schicky, plays the best party music for miles around every Saturday and Sunday from 2pm. The Ganischgeralm is positively the best location for a couple of drinks with a like-minded crowd and is not just popular with young skiers. “The people know that there’s always something good happening here,” says Georg. And the most popular drink at the Ganischgeralm? As it always has been, a “weli”. A “weli” comprises black vodka, white vodka and Red Bull. The drink takes its name from Georg’s brother’s nickname, since he came up with the recipe. But even if it's likely you’ll forget all about the time when drinking “welis”, if you need to get back to Obereggen, you mustn’t miss the last lift. However, if you started out in Pampeago, then you can glide in leisurely fashion down into the valley on the last descent before the Ganischgeralm closes its doors at 5pm. Until the next après-ski party the following day.
2. Gardoné
If it wasn’t for the fact that it’s winter and you are looking out at a fantastic, panoramic Dolomites view, then you might almost think that you were on the beach in Ibiza when you visit the Baita Gardoné, with its cool beats, relaxing atmosphere and excellent white wines. “At our place, the après-ski is a little bit different,” says the manager of the Gardoné, Klaus Pichler: “Our aim is to bring the beach club to the mountains here.” A few prawns or oysters in a lounge atmosphere and a glass of champagne standing up are more where it’s at at the Gardoné than a beer or schnapps. But that is absolutely not to say that things are more sedate here. The hottest DJs play here regularly and live bands such as the Killbillys promise a rock ‘n’ roll explosion! Things get going late in the morning especially since all those who want to get back to Obereggen need to make their way back an hour before the lift closes.
3. Oberholz
Accovacciato a 2.096 m s.l.m., il rifugio Oberholz, tra i più belli delle Dolomiti, offre una vista panoramica a dir poco spettacolare. Facilmente raggiungibile da Obereggen con la seggiovia, è un locale molto popolare anche tra i non sciatori, non da ultimo per la sua originale carta di spritz, long drink e cocktail. Con l'obiettivo di «portare la cultura dell'aperitivo dalla città alle piste», il responsabile Tobias Pfeifer ha ideato creazioni uniche nel loro genere, in parte miscelate con sciroppi fatti in casa. Una volta alla settimana, poi, il rifugio Oberholz – che con la sua particolare architettura vale di per sé una visita – è teatro di una degustazione di cocktail, che in caso di bel tempo si tiene nel bar all'aperto, «uno dei posti più soleggiati del comprensorio sciistico», sottolinea Tobias. Un'informazione da ricordare: in inverno, il rifugio chiude alle 16.30 e dopo quell'ora è vietato scendere in pista con gli sci perché troppo pericoloso.
4. LOOX
Another architectural highlight can be found at the Obereggen valley station: LOOX - the Alpine Club, which blends traditional après-ski with a cool club atmosphere. The LOOX concept promises “good vibes and unique feelings”. Over the course of the evening, LOOX becomes a cool party location where in winter it is not at all unusual to find guests standing at the bar in their ski boots. “It is also a little bit about seeing and being seen here,” explains LOOX manager, Markus Pichler. On Fridays and Saturdays, sought-after DJs play and wow the LOOX clientele with a unique sound and light experience. The LOOX manager is constantly surprising his guests with new ideas - which is why the club might have Caribbean-style palms and reggae beats one day and mirror balls with hits from the 90s the next. No matter what, though, there is a varied drinks menu that has helped popularise many a brand of gin. Every Tuesday the venue also serves sushi to night skiers and everyone else, making it, among other reasons, one of the most extraordinary après-ski locations around.
5. Epircher Laner Alm
Round off a day’s skiing in relaxed fashion - it’s especially good at the Epircher Laner Alm. Following its renovation in 2019, this idyllic mountain inn has lost none of its charm. On the contrary: Walter Untersalmberger and his family continue to delight their guests with South Tyrolean hospitality in an atmosphere combining tradition and modernity. On Tuesdays and Fridays - when the inn is open from 7 to 10 pm during the night skiing sessions - guests can enjoy a leisurely chalet meal in the restaurant with table service or have a spontaneous après-ski party at the bar outside. “We always adapt to what our guests want,” says Walter, the landlord. This means that après-ski at the Epircher Laner Alm can either be quite laid back, or sometimes - especially at the weekends - quite exuberant. Even if there is only one more run from the Epircher Laner Alm down into the valley: everyone has to be back down the mountain by the time the piste closes at 4.30 pm. Until then, however, the guests of the Epircher Laner Alm might get to enjoy a really special treat - when Walter and his brother and son take up the accordion, guitar and baritone. “We don’t have as much time as we used to do,” says Walter: “But if the guests ask us, then we might just play for them.”
