I Tried ZBiotics for Après Ski All Season – Here's What Actually Happened

Look, I love après ski. Like, genuinely love it. There's something about sitting fireside with your friends or significant other after a bluebird powder day, reliving every run as the boots come off. But here's the thing nobody talks about: that third Aperol Spritz, glass of champagne, or espresso martini at 9,000 feet will absolutely wreck your tomorrow.

I've been après skiing for over 15 years, and I've tried everything - chugging water before bed, electrolyte packets, gas station supplements, and some vitamin G (grease). None of it really worked. Then one summer playing golf, my buddy told me about  ZBiotics and said, "You should try this. I feel so much better the next morning."

I've now been using ZBiotics consistently when I drink for the last 3 years, and I can confidently say that this stuff really works. I wake up the next morning without the normal brain fog.

(Using any of my links will save you $20. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy ZBiotics through my link, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend stuff I actually use.)

Why Après Ski Hits Different (And Why That's a Problem)

• Altitude makes alcohol hit much harder
• You're already dehydrated from skiing all day before you even start drinking
• Losing a morning to feeling rough can mean missing first chair on a pow day

What ZBiotics Actually Is (Minus the Marketing Speak)

• It's a probiotic that eats acetaldehyde - the thing that makes you feel terrible
• You drink it before your first alcoholic drink (timing actually matters here)
• What it won't do: make you sober, prevent you from getting drunk, cure actual alcohol problems

My experience over the last 3 years

I was sold the first time I used it. I woke up the next morning feeling much better than usual. I felt clear and alert, unlike the typical brain fog and sluggishness I get after drinking.

I tried it over the next few weeks. I wanted to see if different types of alcohol had different effects. Old Fashioneds? Fine. Martinis? Fine. Wine? Fine. Beer? Fine. Gin & Tonics? Fine.

However, I won't say that it is a magic cure-all. I've still had the occasional hangover with headaches and poor sleep. Usually, that's a result of not hydrating enough the night before. But I still notice that I am much sharper and feel roughly 30% less crummy.

Ever since that first 6-pack I bought to try it, I've moved into buying 50-packs in bulk to get the cost per bottle down. They come with me everywhere, from ski trips and work trips to client dinners and nights out. I haven't found a serious side effect yet, and it is totally reasonable to use them on back-to-back nights on a fun weekend (or ski trip!).

Your mileage will vary, and your response to alcohol is different from mine. However, I wouldn't take one if I'm having a beer at happy hour or a glass of wine with dinner. It is designed more for longer drinking sessions, like après-ski into dinner!

Other options I've tried (but not thoroughly studied)

• Traditional chugging water? Free but still had some brain fog
• LiquidIV / electrolyte packets? Helpful but not enough alone
• Those sketchy "hangover pills" from the ski shop? Mostly useless
• Activated charcoal? Did nothing
• Just not drinking? Obviously works, but is a different type of après

My current approach? ZBiotics with drinking extra water is the best combo I've found

The Downsides

1. It's not cheap -  $6-12 per bottle, depending on how you buy. But, if you think of it as your "first drink" at the bar, then it is worth it
2. You have to remember to take it FIRST. It will still work if you take it later, but it's just less effective
3. Remember, you'll still be drunk, so don't do anything dumb

Where to Get It

I buy mine directly from their website. Using my link saves you $20.

They might resell on Amazon, but why not support the business directly? You can get them in 3-, 6-, 12-, 50-, or 100-packs. My go-to is the 50 pack, but I'm also sold on the benefits and am a regular user.

Unfortunately, they don't really have a physical retail presence, so it will be tough to get while at the resort.

Conclusion

Here's my bottom line: ZBiotics won't change your life, but it might change your ski trip. I'm not saying you need it - plenty of people ski and party just fine without it. But if you're like me and you've lost mornings to feeling rough, or even just waking up feeling "foggy," it's worth it.

I keep a few bottles in my ski bag now for those weekend ski trips. Then I can feel out how the apres ski scene is going to be that day and decide if I want to take one.

If you want to try it, use my link below. I make a small commission, which helps me keep this site running and ski more often (which means more content for you). If you think it's overpriced nonsense, that's cool too - just drink water and get after it.

Grab ZBiotics here if you want to test it yourself If you use my link, you'll save $20 on your first order and help our site! 

Now go enjoy après. Responsibly-ish.