“It’s not a full day without après,” is an age-old saying that still stands strong among today’s generation of post-play partiers. Local beer festival and après event guru Liam James Peyton hails from Birmingham, England, but lives in Whistler now and says Europeans at resorts like St. Anton, Austria take après a step beyond what we typically see here.
“On top of the mountains ladies are half-clad in bikinis and it’s all about taking a drinking ski trip. Here in North America après is civilized and it’s simply about celebrating a good day.”
Though traditions can vary, the term itself is universally understood. Après is permission to party. Let your hair-down, raise a glass and celebrate the fact that you have conquered another epic day playing outdoors.
In the good old days, skiers coined après as that time of day when you had earned the right to indulge and share your stoke. True après must always include beer, nachos, great company, blue skies and of course a patio.
Fact: après is not just for skiers’ slopeside, even though the ski and snowboard culture can take the credit for putting après on the map. Whistler’s après inception dates back to hippy ski-bum days circa ‘67, and the beat goes on.
No matter what season or sport, the principal remains the same. Get outside and challenge yourself then find a patio and party with friends. Après can start anytime post feat, but it ends when the gear comes off.
Warmer and sunnier days here in Vancouver means we can attack not only the mountains but the ocean, the trails and everything in between but you must earn the right to celebrate.
To sweat your way up the Grouse Grind and not order a plate of nachos and a jug of beer is a shame. To shred a bluebird powder day injury free and not indulge in a mountain sized order of poutine should be illegal. Whether you kill it in a race, SUP, kayak, hike, run, spring ski or mountain bike, après is the right to party after playing hard outdoors.
Call it a reward, an excuse, a love affair, even a one night stand but whatever you do, call it. Spring has sprung, Mother Nature has gifted us with an epic playground so get outside Vancouver!
