Ski Stag Do

A ski stag do takes more planning than a weekend in the city, and I’ll be honest, it costs more too. But picture it. Mountains, snow, a cold beer in the sun at lunchtime and the stag going backwards down a run in a novelty onesie. For a group that likes the outdoors and likes a drink, I can’t think of much better.

Skiing is also a great leveller. The lad who’s brilliant at everything might be useless on skis, and the quiet one might turn out to have been skiing since he was six. Either way, the falls are hilarious and the stories write themselves.

• The Alps. France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy all have huge ski areas and proper resort towns. Austria in particular is known for loud, cheerful après-ski. Go here for big mountains and big nights.
• Andorra. A small country in the Pyrenees with a reputation for good-value skiing and lively bars. Popular with British groups, and a good shout for mixed abilities.
• Bulgaria. Bansko is the name you’ll hear most. It’s usually cheaper than the Alps, with the slopes right above a town full of bars and restaurants. Good for groups on a tighter budget.
• UK indoor slopes. No time or budget for a trip abroad? The UK has a few indoor real-snow slopes. Book a lesson or a few hours on the slope, then head out for the night. It’s also a smart warm-up a few weeks before a trip, so the beginners aren’t starting from zero.

Every ski stag has the same problem. Three lads have skied for years, four have never clicked into a binding, and one went once on a school trip and claims he’s “pretty good”. He isn’t.

The fix is easy. Book the beginners into ski school for the mornings and let the confident skiers go off and do their thing. Meet for lunch on the mountain, then spend the afternoon on easier runs together. By the end of the trip the beginners will be getting down gentle runs on their own, and everyone ends up in the same bar when the lifts close.

If any of the lads would rather be on a board, our snowboarding stag do page has the lowdown.

Après-ski is the drinking that starts as the lifts close, often in a slopeside bar with loud music and people dancing on tables in ski boots. It’s brilliant, and it’s the bit the stag will remember. Probably.

A few rules from me, though. Don’t drink on the mountain and then ski down, because that’s how stag dos end in a foreign hospital. Get your après done after the last run, not before it. And go easy on night one, because a full day of skiing with a hangover is a very long day.

• Insurance with winter sports cover. Standard travel insurance often doesn’t include skiing. Make sure every single lad has it.
• Book early. School holidays and peak weeks fill up fast. Early or late season is usually quieter and kinder on the wallet.
• Sort hire in advance. Skis, boots and helmets can usually be booked before you go, which saves a morning queuing in the hire shop.
• Wear a helmet. Especially the stag. He’s needed in one piece for the wedding photos.
• Add something different. A snowmobile trip or a go on a bob sleigh makes a great half day off the skis, where the resort offers it.

Want a hand with the flights, chalets and lessons? Our concierge service can help you plan it.