Imagine stepping off the slopes as the sun begins to dip behind snowy peaks, bathing the mountains in a soft golden light. You unclip your skis, toss on a fur-lined coat, and join friends by the fireside with champagne in hand. This is après-ski in its most classic form—a blend of high society, impeccable style, and the art of leisure, all set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most prestigious alpine resorts. Few have captured this scene so brilliantly as Slim Aarons, the iconic photographer known for documenting "attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places."
Après-ski culture isn’t just about unwinding after a day on the slopes; it's a cherished ritual where skiing becomes a backdrop to a lifestyle. From the 1950s through the 1970s, as skiing evolved into a chic winter pastime, places like St. Moritz, Aspen, and Courchevel emerged as playgrounds for the global elite. Aarons was right there, camera in hand, immortalizing the moments that defined this lifestyle: elegant gatherings on mountain terraces, skiers in effortless, high-end winterwear, and a kind of effortless glamour that seems to belong only to rarefied air and snowy peaks.
Through Aarons' lens, après-ski becomes more than just an activity; it’s a portrait of privilege and beauty, a small window into a world where wealth and elegance converge in seemingly effortless ways. His photographs tell the story of leisure—one where every detail, from fur coats to steaming cocktails, exudes luxury.
One of the most enchanting aspects of après-ski life is the style that accompanies it. Aarons captured jet-setters in head-to-toe winter glamour, from plush turtlenecks and cashmere sweaters to chic goggles and perfectly tailored ski suits. Furs were a must, as were oversized sunglasses, often donned with a kind of insouciance that only wealth can afford. To be stylish on the slopes was to look as comfortable in the crisp cold as you might on the Riviera, despite the snow and altitude.
This sartorial indulgence was as much about practical warmth as it was about appearances. It was part of the game, part of a performance of leisure. For Aarons, who built his career capturing these idyllic visions, après-ski style epitomized the height of elegance with a hint of rugged adventure.
Slim Aarons’ photographs of après-ski life immortalize an era that felt gilded, suspended between glamour and wilderness. His images weren’t snapshots of ordinary people; they were compositions where beauty, wealth, and social status mingled seamlessly. Skiing itself, though an exhilarating and challenging sport, was almost secondary in Aarons’ work. What mattered was capturing those pristine moments when the skis came off, and an impromptu party or intimate fireside gathering would emerge.
Though the world has changed since Aarons’ time, his vision of après-ski life remains influential. Modern resorts and high-end ski destinations channel this same energy, catering to a clientele that craves the elegance of yesteryear’s glamour but with a contemporary twist. Today, vintage-inspired ski fashion, luxe accommodations, and exclusive mountain-top events keep the spirit alive. High-end après-ski still embraces that sense of magic, where winter sport meets society gathering, and the snow-covered mountains form a breathtaking backdrop for the kind of life Slim Aarons made us all dream of.