As January transitions into month two of 2025, peak ski season is upon us. Snow-capped mountains, cosy log cabins and everyone’s favourite après ski have taken over social media feeds. And anyone who is anyone, hits the slopes. If you’re not jetting off this year, fear not, the ski lodge theme can be a superb party muse, bringing the charm of Verbier, Courchevel or Val-d’Isère to venues and homes, right here in the UK. Now is the perfect time to start planning a ski lodge-themed party. Imagine a lively celebration that combines cosy, rustic décor, fun winter entertainment, and delicious, warming food. What could be better to lift the spirits?
PLANNING A SKI-LODGE THEMED PARTY
A ski lodge themed party can work for many occasions. A casual get-together. A birthday party Or, a corporate event. And the alpine aesthetic is oh so on trend, tapping into the desire for cosy, nostalgic experiences.
Here is our ultimate guide to planning a ski lodge-themed party, covering the key planning elements of venue dressing and décor, catering and entertainment.
SETTING A SNOW-CAPPED SCENE
To capture the essence of a ski lodge, your keywords are warm, cosy and rustic. In choosing your venue you’ll need to think about how to recreate the inviting feel of a wooden ski chalet.
This is one party theme that can always hosted in an outdoor space no matter what the weather. The contrast of fresh, frosty night air only adds to the warmth of your undercover space. Add real or faux snow, I’d always invest in a snow machine for this type of event, it’s just not the same without it.
Evoke a snowy mountain scene with an avenue of fir trees leading to your party space. A giant tipi works brilliantly, or a collection of wooden huts to evoke the alpine village feel. Alternatively, a series of illuminated igloos each with a different party vibe, DJ/dance space, dinner, chill out area or wine tasting, your guests can tour the spaces and find what fits their style.
You can create a ski theme indoors of course. Use wooden furniture, chesterfield sofas, faux fur throws, and plenty of pea lights and candles to create a magical glow. Skis, snowshoes, and other apparel can be used to dress your venue. Create cosy corners with blankets and wood burners or chimeneas. Add a faux fireplace to complete the perfect space for guests to relax with their drinks.
Alternatively, you can choose a venue that already has the ski theme in place – Albert Schloss in Liverpool and London, or Pergola in Brixton are fine examples where you wouldn’t have to do too much work to create a winter wonderland. In fact, Pergola has its regular Pergola on the Piste pop up from January to April meaning half of your work is already done.
https://www.pergolabrixton.co.uk/
Or for the ultimate ski themed party where your guests even get to ski – the Chill Factore in Manchester has event spaces for hire that can hold up to one hundred guests for a seated dinner. https://www.chillfactore.com/schools-groups/meeting-rooms-and-venue-hire/the-anton-aspen-suite/
A HEARTY SKI LODGE FEAST
Planning a ski lodge-themed party involves hearty, comforting, and rustic dishes that reflect the cosy charm of a mountain retreat. Here are some ideas for appetisers, main courses, drinks, and desserts to keep your ski themed party on ‘piste’.
Nothing says ski lodge like comfort food – it’s one party where carbs should be actively encouraged. For appetisers, a retro vibe can really add to the alpine theme. Serve finger foods like mini quiches, sliders or salted pretzels oozing with melted cheese. If your party is outside, then hot soup shots pored from vintage thermos flasks are a warming take on canapes. Have your waiting staff circulate with small cups of French onion soup, topped with a crouton and melted cheese.
Interactive food stations are crowd pleasers at this type of event. And fondue is not only back in the limelight, but also ideal for the theme. Offer a huge pot of melted Gruyere or cheddar cheese with crusty bread, pretzels, and veggies for dipping.
Alternatively, the grazing table is another option to allow guests to help themselves. Think of it as an oversized charcuterie board heaving with cured meats, cheeses, pickles, nuts, and dried fruits that looks so tempting it becomes part of the décor.
You’ll want to entice your guests with delicious aromas with your mains. This year, our favourite dish at the Manchester festive markets was steak and frites raclette. Who wouldn’t want a crowning glory of melted cheese on this French classic! Alternatively, you can smother small trays of miniature salted roast potatoes, schnitzel, and root vegetables with the molten cheese. Serve a hearty beef stew or creamy paprika chicken in retro enamel cups.
Desserts. Hot cocoa brownies served in individual skillets, or a classic apple strudel will evoke the fun of the slopes. For kids (little and big) set up a hot cocoa bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, grated nutmeg, flakes, chocolate dust and flavoured syrups. Mulled wine, spiked cider, and winter-themed cocktails like peppermint martinis or white Russians are perfect for adult guests. Toast marshmallows on an open fire as a midnight treat.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
It’s doubtful that your party will fall on one of the few weeks of the year that sees snow in the UK, but you can recreate the magic faux snow, cosy décor, and creative games.
If your budget stretches you can hire an ice rink to really evoke that winter sports theme. What about hiring in a snowboard simulator to bring the high-octane adventure of the slopes to your indoor party.
Set up a photo backdrop with fake snow, skis, and lodge signage. Or a full-size ski lift photo corner complete with props – skis, jackets, helmets, and visors. A giant snow globe or a green screen are great alternatives.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Details matter. So, for a formal dinner, name each table after a ski resort.
Add faux windows with a view of the snowy alps.
Offer a cocktail menu with drinks named after famous skiers. And who better to take inspiration from, than a man who would fit right in at any luxury ski resort. OO7. Here’s our James Bond inspired cocktails.
And at the end of the night, it’s not the end to your guests delight. Send them off with memorable keepsakes that they will enjoy for weeks to come. Ideas could include personalised mini hot cocoa kits, candles scented like pine forests, or custom cocoa mugs.
Looking for celebrity ski style inspiration? Check out Vogue’s round-up of style from the slopes throughout the years.
https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/celebrity-apres-ski-style
Want to take your ski party overseas? Here’s where the rich and famous hang out in peak ski-season:
Thanks for sharing our guide to planning a ski lodge-themed party!