Après Ski at the Christmas Lodge

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Where it’s snowing
All winter through
That’s where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That’s what I’ll do
How I’m longing to ski
Through the Snow,

Those glist’ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snooooooooow

Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snoooooooooow

~White Christmas~

My traditional Christmas decor these après ski at the Christmas lodge

Vintage après ski Christmas decor in my family room with nutcracker, ginger jars, white flocked trees, fair isle motifs, and plaid ribbon

Katherine in red and white PJs and faux fur coat fixes ornament on white Christmas tree decorated with pine cones, plaid ribbon, ornaments, and berries

I could absolutely put this song on repeat (ok the whole movie) and twinkle gaze at my après ski at the Christmas lodge decor all day long.

Sometimes you just need a heavy dose of nostalgia and childhood joy at Christmas and that’s what I feel every time I step in my family room and see my après ski at the Christmas lodge decor!

Katherine sitting in front of her apres ski white Christmas trees in red and white PJs, fur hat, and fur coat

With this theme I wanted to rekindle memories of skiing with my father growing up and all the fun we had playing in the snow as a family: sledding, throwing snow balls, and making snow ice cream.

There’s nothing like a steaming hot cup of cocoa after a day skiing in the cold while you warm up by the fire although admittedly now I love a cup of spiked cider even better.

Playing on the rustic cozy vibes of the ski lodges I’ve seen and throwing in a liberal dose of vintage glam à la Slim Aarons’, I think my après ski lodge Christmas decor turned out enchanting.

For my Après ski Christmas look, I choose vibrant plaids, Fair Isle motifs, flocked pine, reindeer, and vintage ski accessories. Those skis are even my dad’s old cross country skis (similar pair available here)!

Après Ski Christmas Trees

Pair of white flocked branch Christmas trees decorated in an après ski theme with red berries, plaid ribbon, traditional ornaments, and vintage skiis and snowshoes

Detail view of white Christmas tree with vintage skiis propped up beside it

The pair of white flocked Christmas trees are bedecked with picks of flocked pine, red berries, pine cones, and red snowflake ribbon. I used lots of our traditional ornaments we’ve collected over the years as well as a smattering of red and green balls with some gold glittered snowflakes. For an extra festive touch I swathed each tree in plaid ribbon garland and finished the top with white snowflakes and red berries.

To really play up the après ski theme, I used vintage ski equipment and toy size snowshoes and a sleigh around the trees. A wooden apple crate holds up my favorite Fitz & Floyd reindeer and presents tied up with bows, while faux suede and white quilt batting add to the cozy cabin vibes and snowy display.

A Christmas Lodge Mantel

Katherine lights candles in fireplace

Christmas lodge cozy mantel decor with rustic pine garland, white bells, and candle light firebox

On the mantel in our family room, I created a simple mixed pine garland (similar here) with red berries, white glittered snowflakes, and three white bells hanging from the center with a big bow. I love how classic the mantel feels for Christmas and the play of the bristly pine textures. Read this post to learn how I put it together!

Of course a roaring fire would really add to the ambience of my après ski at the Christmas lodge look, but unfortunately our chimneys are in deplorable condition and unusable, so to mimic the warmth and glow of a fire I used candles and twinkle lights with pinecones and birch logs.

Katherine lounges before fireplace sipping cider

It still feels so festive when S. and I cozy up here in the evenings!

Après Ski Refreshments

Barcart set up for après ski look with House of Hatten Santa

Breakfast table sat with vintage geese placemats, Johnson Bros. Christmas tree plates

What’s après ski with out some delicious cocktails and refreshments? Nothing, so of course the bar cart and breakfast table needed a bit of decorating too! Aren’t those geese just adorable?

Get my bourbon cider recipe here for a delicious hot toddy to warm you right up.

My favorite part though of this area is the hand painted Christmas cards from my great grandmother that I had framed a few years ago! They are so charming and just fill me with joy every time I see them! I didn’t get to know her, but these make me feel her love!

Get the Après Ski Look:

Don’t miss the Thursday December 2, 2021 flash sale on Instagram if you are loving this traditional Christmas look! Several of the items I used in this photo shoot will be available:

  • House of Hatten Santa
  • Johnson Bros. Transferware: Christmas tree plates and old castles tea set
  • A Set of 3 White Bells (like on the mantel)
  • Geese & Bow Placemats and Napkins
  • Both Pillows: love ski and jingle all the way
  • Mistletoe Bow Rocks Glasses
  • & Much More

If you are hunting for vintage ski or snow sporting equipment, I recommend checking your local thrift stores as I usually see vintage sleds and skis there.

Currently, from around the web here are my picks to re-create the look:

14 Comments

  1. Sara T. on December 4, 2021 at 10:25 am

    This looks incredible – I love that mantel! Such a beautiful, nostalgic look.

    • Katherine on December 6, 2021 at 11:09 am

      Thanks so much Sara! The mantel was such a fun piece to create.

  2. Kat Decima on December 4, 2021 at 10:47 am

    So creative!!

    • Katherine on December 6, 2021 at 11:10 am

      Thanks Kat! Merry Christmas!

  3. Kim on December 4, 2021 at 10:50 am

    I absolutely love the framed Christmas cards! Christmas is made extra special when you are able to use your family’s mementos from Christmas’ past. I use my dad’s ornaments from when he was a child, my great~grandfather’s icicles, and my grandmother’s handmade ornaments. I love the memories they invoke! Merry Christmas!!

    • Katherine on December 6, 2021 at 11:11 am

      Absolutely! The memories of Christmases past and the decor from loved ones make it so much sweeter! Merry Christmas!

  4. Maureen on December 4, 2021 at 11:42 am

    Love your style of decorating and look forward to your posts! I have gotten quite a few ideas. Keep them coming!

    • Katherine on December 6, 2021 at 11:11 am

      Thanks Maureen! That makes me so happy to hear! Merry Christmas!

  5. Lisa on December 4, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    Thank you for the inspiration! I feel warm and comfortable looking at your Christmas displays. I want what you have shared with us. It’s so beautiful! Merry Christmas!

    • Katherine on December 6, 2021 at 11:12 am

      Awww thanks so much Lisa! I love that my decor gave you those feelings of warmth and comfort! Merry Christmas!

  6. Martha Baker on December 4, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    I love the pops of blue, especially the decorated ginger jars, Oh what fun!

    • Katherine on December 6, 2021 at 11:13 am

      Yes! I love to add little touches of Christmas to my existing decor. Enjoy the season!

  7. René on December 4, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Would love to win your giveaway! Your blog is an inspiration!

    • Katherine on December 6, 2021 at 11:13 am

      Thanks René! So glad to hear you found inspiration here.

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