Après Ski & Winter Music Festivals: The Coolest Trend Heating Up America
For decades, après ski has been a beloved tradition in Europe. Picture this: the French Alps or Austrian Tyrol, where skiers trade the afternoon slopes for sun-soaked decks filled with DJs, drinks, and nonstop vibes. That Euro energy has finally landed stateside, but in true American style, it’s bigger, louder, and infused with music festivals that turn ski towns into full-blown snow parties.
And now? College students don’t have to wait until graduation or a trip to Europe to experience it. Outside Life is bringing that après + festival energy with its PowDaze Experiences, making it easier than ever to live the aprés dream.
Why Everyone’s Hooked
This generation doesn’t want just a ski trip, they want the experience. Fresh pow in the morning, champagne blasts in the afternoon, and world-class DJs under the stars at night. It’s not just skiing, it’s skiing with a soundtrack.
Outside Life has tapped into exactly what Millennials and Gen Z crave: adventure + nightlife + community. With curated après events, surprise artist sets, and themed parties built into every College Ski Week, the vibes don’t stop when the lifts close. Your ski trip becomes the festival and your squad is right in the middle of it.
Winter Music Festivals: The New Frontier
Festivals aren’t just for dusty fields and summer heat anymore–Snow is the new stage. From Tahoe Live to Aspen’s Palm Tree Festival and Jackson Hole’s Rendezvous, winter music festivals have rewritten the rules. Thousands of people, bundled in puffers and goggles, dance in the snow while fireworks pop off in the background. It’s the kind of energy you don’t forget.
Now, Outside Life is taking that exact vibe and reimagining it for college ski trips. Think week-long mountain takeovers where daytime shredding flips seamlessly into curated après events and village takeover parties that feel like private music festivals. You’re not just booking a lift ticket, you’re booking the biggest week of your year.
The Outside Life Experience
Here’s what sets Outside Life apart from just another ski trip:
Top Resorts → Aspen, Jackson Hole, Steamboat, Breckenridge, and many more bucket-list destinations.
Festival-Level Après → Exclusive DJs, themed aprés, and surprise performances. This year’s PowDaze features Dr. Fresch, It’s Murph, Levity, Moonlight & Westend (*artists listed alphabetically)
Built-In Community → Thousands of students from schools across the country linking up on the slopes.
All-In Packages → Lodging, lift tickets, rentals, and nightlife are all included on this once in a lifetime experience.
College Pricing → Flexible payment plans designed for student budgets.
It’s ski culture, festival culture, and campus culture all rolled into one unforgettable trip.
The Future Is Frosty (and Loud)
This isn’t just a trend, it’s a movement. Ski trips are no longer just about chasing powder. They’re also about chasing vibes, chasing moments, and building the stories you’ll be talking about long after the snow melts.
Resorts know what’s up. They’re pouring resources into bigger stages, better sound, food trucks, and light shows that rival summer festivals. The difference is, with Outside Life, college students get first access. Before anyone else, you’re the crowd shaping the future of après ski in America.
So when you pack your skis this winter, don’t just bring your gear. Bring your party crew, your après spirit, and your hype. Because with Outside Life, the mountain isn’t just calling for turns, It’s calling for the afterparty everyone’s talking about.
Head to the link below to join the aprés movement & make sure to follow us on Instagram @outsidelifetravel to stay updated with all of the excitement this winter season!
