We all love a bit of apres-ski don’t we? There’s nothing better than arriving in a bar after a hard day on the slopes, relaxing those aching legs, regaling stories of the day and sinking yourself into a stein of beer, a warming glass of gluwhein or a even a few shots! We all know about St Anton’s Moosewirt or the infamous Folie Douce mountain bars with their table-dancing and live music, but these are pricey. Why not head off the beaten track a bit, keep the pennies in your pockets and delve into the truly local party scene.
ST ANTON, Basecamp
Situated at the bottom of the main lifts in town, this great bar is superb value for money, does simple food and really gets the early evening vibe going. And there’s no lethal night ski after!
VAL D’ISERE, Le XV
We just love this small, relaxed bar situated on the high street. Its a great spot for some chilled apres-ski and is the go-to place for watching sporting events, always popular during the Six Nations Championship
MERIBEL, Le lodge de Village
It’s worth heading to this great bar & brasserie where La Terrasse is buzzing after skiing. Situated at the bottom of Le Golf lift, it’s the hub of Meribel Village, great value and has fantastic regular live music.
LA PLAGNE, La Mine
This fun bar is in Plagne 1800. With its large outdoor terrace, it has regular DJs, live music and big-screen sport. And with its unique decor, it is open til 2am so a great spot to head to before and after supper.
VAL THORENS, Cafe Snesko
Positioned on the party street at the Rond-Point des Pistes, this popular bar has live music and a host of pyrotechnics kick off from 5.30pm meaning the atmosphere in here is always electric.
ALPE D’HUEZ, The Underground
The Underground Bar, if you cant tell by the name this British run bar is designed with a London Underground theme while also having a collection of snowboards decorating the ceiling to serve as a reminder that you are in the mountains. The bar is situated right in the centre of town and is another great place to head for après. Reasonably priced drinks, Sky Sports and live music most nights make it a lively spot that’s popular with holidaymakers and seasonaires alike.
LES DEUX ALPES, Smithy’s Tavern
Located in the heart of the old town, Smithy’s Tavern is a local bar that is always busy from open to close (at 2am). Smithy’s Tavern has Live bands and DJs that ensure a spirited atmosphere, although this could also be attributed to the cheap beer and cocktails, and wide range of shots available. Smithy’s Tavern also serve an excellent range of Tex Mex food in the restaurant (we recommend the Smithy’s platter if you and your friends are not in the mood for a full meal). You can hit the dance floor and party until close at 2am and if you are not ready to end your night you can head downstairs to L’Igloo nightclub to continue the party until 4am.
LA TANIA, La Taiga Lounge
The La Taïga Lounge aims to offer something a little more sophisticated in the shape of a modern styled cocktail bar. It is located just across the main road from the Troika beginners’ piste in the resort centre.
MORZINE, Bar Robinson
Robinsons, or Robbos as it’s commonly known, is a bit of a local institution and a very popular spot for après. It only has one beer on tap, you guessed it, Mutzig, and it’s the strong stuff. Due to the intoxicating nature of its principal tipple, Robinson’s is only open until 8pm, when anyone left still standing is sent staggering off to the next bar, or back home to sleep it off.
TIGNES, La Flambee
If at the end of a long chilly day on the slopes you just want to flop onto a comfy sofa in front of a roaring fire with a vin chaud, head to this great bar in Hotel Village Montana. Its location at the bottom of the slopes in the Les Almes area of Tignes Le Lac makes it perfect for après, and it’s also ideal if you’ve got kids in tow.
CHAMONIX, La Terrasse
La Terrasse, right in the centre of town, is another popular spot for some après drinks. Its large terrace is perfect for people watching or drinking in the dramatic scenery, and a live band often provides additional entertainment. There’s also a lounge and cocktail bar inside, and they run a happy hour, or hours, from 4-6pm each day.