Dragging my sore bones after a day on the piste, still exhaling that cool, yet soft mountain air and dizzy with high peak views and yet-to-be-controlled speed, I held up my beer, stroke the simple beat with my feet, and could not help but wonder "why?".
The "après-ski" type of fun was as ridiculous as it had been described to me. Snow boots and pink tiaras, loud and cheerful German-language songs on throwing lassos and the Chinese, sweet-heavy shots, and lots and lots of loud singing and synchronized dancing along.
How did this come about? And what part of winter sports makes this acceptable for my friends who would immediately look away from such places back at home?
The après-ski, a French term, has originated in the far Northern European, and further developed in the Alps. A rather natural evolution along the winter sports culture, I imagine. There's the gratification after a hard day's workout, the perfect excuse to get goofy and tipsy with friends. Not to underestimate the endorphin released by gliding over snow with strength and grace giving you another kick to go full out.
Although specific towards unique, the après-ski is not an isolated phenomenon, as I noticed common notes with the Dutch carnival and the German beer festivals. Hardly a local event, as it has spread around the worlds' mountain resorts. And despite shared beats and booze, the big sport clothing brands have lest a clear print on its shapes and colours.
I've yet to get into the après-ski - I'll spare this blog the photos. But the mountains, they got to me once more. I stayed humble, but built some confidence.
The "après-ski" type of fun was as ridiculous as it had been described to me. Snow boots and pink tiaras, loud and cheerful German-language songs on throwing lassos and the Chinese, sweet-heavy shots, and lots and lots of loud singing and synchronized dancing along.
How did this come about? And what part of winter sports makes this acceptable for my friends who would immediately look away from such places back at home?
The après-ski, a French term, has originated in the far Northern European, and further developed in the Alps. A rather natural evolution along the winter sports culture, I imagine. There's the gratification after a hard day's workout, the perfect excuse to get goofy and tipsy with friends. Not to underestimate the endorphin released by gliding over snow with strength and grace giving you another kick to go full out.
Although specific towards unique, the après-ski is not an isolated phenomenon, as I noticed common notes with the Dutch carnival and the German beer festivals. Hardly a local event, as it has spread around the worlds' mountain resorts. And despite shared beats and booze, the big sport clothing brands have lest a clear print on its shapes and colours.
I've yet to get into the après-ski - I'll spare this blog the photos. But the mountains, they got to me once more. I stayed humble, but built some confidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment