For many skiers, the great resorts are measured not just by what they can offer you on the slopes, but also off of them.
Après skiing remains a big part of the ski experience, and with good reason: the fun, the music and the atmosphere (and sometimes a bit of alcohol) all combine to leave you with great memories and stories to take home with you.
Here are some of the top rated bars and clubs to visit whilst you're on your ski holiday.
Après ski bars:
1. La Folie Douce - in Val d'Isere, Val Thorens, Meribel, Alpe d'Huez, Chamonix, Les Arcs and Avoriaz
2. Mooserwirt - in St Anton, Austria
3. Malaysia - in Val Thorens, France
4. Le Rond Point - in Méribel, France
5. Kuhstall - in Ischgl, Austria
6. Le Pano Bar - in Les Deux Alpes, France
7. L'Abarset - in Soldeu, Andorra
8. Ice Bar - in Mayrhofen, Austria
9. Jacks Bar - in Méribel, France
1. LA FOLIE DOUCE
Where: Alpe d’Huez / Méribel / Val d’Isère, France
The first La Folie Douce was opened in 1981 in Val d’Isère and the bar has not looked back since. The success of the bar now sees it boasting a stable of three with Alpe d’Huez and Méribel also home to its famous parties. If we had to pick our favourite out of the three, we’d have to say Val d’Isère as it was the original and has a superb location at the top of the La Daille lifts, making it very easy to access and nigh on impossible to miss when in full swing!
Inghams Recommends: We’re going to pick just one of these three great resorts and pluck out Alpe d’Huez. The Chalet Secret de Neige is a fantastic property complete with outdoor hot-tub and is within convenient range of the Folie Douce.
^ Return to top
2. MOOSERWIRT
Where: St Anton, Austria
You could easy make a top 5 après ski bars for St Anton alone which made picking trying to pick out a couple of its best proved very difficult. Mooserwirt is one of the most famous ski bars in Europe and with good reason. Since 1989, they been entertaining skiers – these quirky Austrians sure know how to throw (not to mention enjoy) a party and if you love your Europop, this is a great place for it as our Operations Assistant Ali will attest: “Mooserwirt is incredible, my highlight was belting out Hey Jude and Robbie Williams’ Angels with loads of people around me doing the exact same!”
Inghams Recommends: The Chalet Kapall, offering an authentic chalet experience with greater choice and quality in St Anton. Relax at the end of the day on the slopes in the chalet's relaxation area perfect for unwinding after an afternoon of rocking out in Mooserwirt.
^ Return to top
3. MALAYSIA
© http://aporritt-laviefrancais.blogspot.co.uk
Where: Val Thorens, France
This huge underground nightclub has played host to some of music’s best acts and DJs including: Chase & Status, Calvin Harris, Rudimental and Afrojack. This place really is one of the best venues in Europe’s highest ski resort and is located very conveniently on Val Thorens' rue du Caron. You enter through a conspicuous looking chalet and head down to the 700m2 dancefloor! Malaysia stays open to 4am, making it perfect if you’re looking for a long and late party session!
Inghams Recommends: Val Thoren’s Hotel Le Sherpa is a fantastic 4 star hotel and is just minutes from not only the slopes, but the shops and nightlife of this great resort too!
^ Return to top
4. LE ROND POINT
Where: Méribel, France
Le Rond Point, or “the Ronnie” as it’s affectionately known has been a firm favourite in Meribel for decades and is said to be the largest après ski bar in France. It sits just above Méribel’s already vibrant town centre.
Inghams Recommends: The magnificent Hotel La Chaudanne boasts a superb central location in Méribel, meaning it’s an easy one to stumble back to after an afternoon of revelling at “the Ronnie”!
^ Return to top
5. KUHSTALL
© http://www.ischgl.com
Where: Ischgl, Austria
Kuhstall translates into English as “cowshed” (SPOILER ALERT: more Austrian quirkiness afoot) and the only reason we can think of for such a name is that they pack revellers into this traditional wooden bar like cattle. Adam from our Marketing team says: “This place gets crowded pretty much any and every day of the week as it’s located right in Ischgl’s bustling centre, just 100m away from the Silvrettabahn, meaning it couldn’t be easier to access after a day on the slopes.”
Inghams Recommends: The Hotel Val Sinestra sits right by Ischgl après ski haven and the main Silvrettabahn. It is a great option for those on a budget, meaning you’ll have more to spend at the bar!
^ Return to top
6. LE PANO BAR
© https://www.residentadvisor.net
Where: Les Deux Alpes, France
Les Deux Alpes is renowned for being one of the hidden gems of French après ski and when you get there it’s easy to see why. The resort itself is compact and within it there are many great bars such as: La Rhumerie and Temple Bar. But for pure on-the-slopes après brilliance, you’ve got to head to Le Pano Bar. Situated opposite the Jandri Express mid-station, the party begins at 3pm with a DJ ruling the roost until 5pm.
Inghams Recommends: The Hotel Club Le Panorama is ideally situated just 50m from the slopes and 100m from the nearest lift – so you have fantastic ski access. The facilities at the hotel are also top notch, with a wellness area complete with sauna, whirlpool and steam room, all ideal for unwind after stomping your feet at Le Pano Bar!
^ Return to top
7. L’ABARSET
© http://hostelgeeks.com
Where: Soldeu, Andorra
Andorra’s fun atmosphere, great slopes and ever-improving infrastructure has seen its popularity grow every year in the UK ski market. Soldeu and Pas de la Casa boast 200km of pistes in the Grandvalira region and L’Abarset is one of El Tarter’s (Soldeu's neighbour) finest establishments with well-priced drinks and a great atmosphere. From 5pm, the terrace plays host to daily parties with big DJs and artists entertaining the crowds.
Inghams Recommends: Hotel Euro Ski is a high quality hotel with a wealth of facilities including: indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and fitness room as well as a very handy in-house ski shop!
^ Return to top
8. ICE BAR
© http://www.skiresort.info
Where: Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen has long since been renowned as a real party town, the fact that Snowbombing (one of the world’s biggest and best ski festivals) is hosted here tells you a lot about the kind of fun you can expect during your stay here. The Ice Bar is just one of the places you can head to in order to see what Mayrhofen’s all about. It’s conveniently located at the base station of the Horburg lift, meaning access to it couldn’t be easier!
Inghams Recommends: Foersterhaus zum Kramerwirt is based in Mayrhofen’s vibrant centre, giving you great access to the many bars, shops and restaurants the town boasts.
^ Return to top
9. JACKS BAR
Where: Méribel, France
Jacks Bar in Meribel has a fantastic location right by the Chaudanne so you can easily dive into your après after a day on the slopes. Not only are there plenty of drinks on offer but they serve food throughout the day – the nachos are some of the most delicious Meribel has to offer.
The regular live music and excellent (and near endless) supply of beer makes this a perfect place to unwind after a day spent skiing.
Inghams recommends: It has to be the Hotel Grangettes in Meribel. Located directly above Jacks Bar you won’t have to stumble too far to get home at the end of the day.
