There’s nothing quite like unwinding with an aperitif after a long day skiing, reminiscing on your friend’s speedy time down the Tiger Run, or having a laugh at your partner’s tumble off the T-bar. Luckily for us, Gstaad has a wealth of lush drinking holes to choose from. From the breath-taking views from HUUS’s balcony on a crisp sunset, to the cosy opulence of Palace’s lobby bar – here are the best spots for a cheeky tipple after a long day on the slopes.

Pasatiempo
Pasatiempo is one of the worst kept secrets in the Gstaad region, but one of the most fun! Perfectly positioned to catch the last rays of sun, skiers and snowboarders alike stop at Pasatiempo halfway down their last run to grab a glühwein and enjoy the golden hour with other local enthusiasts. Super social, you’re always bound to make new friends (perhaps a few who have been drinking hot shots long before 4pm) and ring in the evening with a warm belly and the satisfaction of a good day skiing behind you.

Igludorf
If anything you should stop here once for the novelty of it all – have a hot toddy while admiring a real-life igloo! Have a quick look around inside, there’s ice carvings and cosy bedrooms covered in furs if you fancy staying the night, but if not Igludorf is always a perfect spot to have that last tipple before speeding down the hill.

10 Gstaad
10 Gstaad, placed right on the promenade opposite Post-Hotel Rössli, is one of those bars that’s impossible to walk past due to the friends inside calling you in for just one drink! An calling you in for just one drink! An open-air bar with a great Spotify playlist, it’s ideal for those who aren’t yet out of their ski gear and are making their way home (slowly but surely).

Palace Lobby Bar
Perhaps the Palace hotel isn’t one you would pick as après-ski aperitif, and instead a before dinner, although if you’re looking for an excellent cocktail and nothing but the best will do, the Palace hotel will take you in your ski gear and desperate need for a drink before 6pm, otherwise it’s strictly dinner jackets only.

Bro’s
Bro’s is a relatively new addition to the Gstaad town, but appreciated greatly! You’ve probably been there already for their fantastic crêpes, or maybe even a lunchtime bagel, but Bro’s is also open late into the evening with delicious cocktails to revive your spirits before a late dinner.

Park Hotel
The Park Terrace is one of the last places in Gstaad to get the afternoon sun, which is why after a long day braving the cold, taking a break and warming your bones in the sunshine on the terrace is not a bad place to be. An extensive bar within-the-knowbartender’s, my go-to is the Hugo Spritz topped with a little prosecco to celebrate a successful ski day.

HUUS
Surely the most beautiful locale to watch the sunset, HUUS – the dapper destination hotel on the way up to Schönried – has the perfect balcony to spend a romantic sundowner. Luckily for us, if you don’t have a room at HUUS, their bar also spans an impressive balcony, but make sure to get there at least an hour before sunset to get a spot…

Eggli Berghaus
For those of us who don’t have the upstairs Club de Luge membership, fear not, as downstairs also has an extensive balcony with an even more extensive beverage list. Friends from town can even come up the Porsche-designed cable car in civilian clothes to join you taking in the last rays of sunshine and the full Alpine experience.

CLAUDIA BUTTERWORTH