The best of European après-ski

For anyone who wants to experience the ultimate après ski, it is time for you to head to Val-d'Isère. Book flights to Chambery and jump on a transfer to the French Alps for an unforgettable week. Ski from Val-d'Isère to Tignes as little or as often as you like, be sure to make a pit-stop at Loop bar in Tignes for an afternoon of terrace drinks and fantastic food.

Ski your way through the day and then hit the Folie Douce – the ultimate party place. Watch dancers and acrobats show their moves, as Champagne bottles swing down on a zip line, spraying bubbles over the crowds. Dance on tables to the pulse of blaring music and sing your heart out to booming European pop.

Make your way to Blue Note for a beer and a game of pool. Enjoy a free plate of hummus, bread, cured meats and olives on your first round. Move along to Le Petit Danois for live music and toffee vodka, as you dance about in your ski boots and goggles in this friendly bar.

Once you’ve had supper and reenergised, pop to the Moris Pub for live music and to taste the renowned 10-80 drink. Then go around the corner to Saloon Bar, but be careful not to spill your drink, it could cost you pouring one into your shoe and drinking from it. For the big finale, make a move to Dick’s Tea Bar, the prime place to be for party atmosphere and carry the après into the night.

Choose from brilliant chalets for your ski holiday in Val-d'Isère. The Pinto sleeps up to eight people and is located centrally, you can jump on a chairlift within moments. There is also a sauna to soothe the ski legs. If a log-fire and indoor Jacuzzi sounds like your ideal ski retreat, Chalet Acajuma sleeps up to 11 people. The free-standing Chalet Ananda has a glorious fireplace in the living area, as well as a hammam when you need to unwind and sleeps up to 11 people, brilliant for a group of friends.

If you’re looking for the more challenging slopes but the best of après, book yourself a ski holiday in the Bavarian village of St Anton. The ski area is huge, it can take half a day to get over to the enchanting village of Lech. Once there, pop into the Krone Bar at the bottom of the piste and enjoy a few beers and great music before jumping into a taxi back to St. Anton village. Don’t get caught out and try and ski back from 2pm onwards, most chairlifts stop running at 4pm.

Experience steins of beer and upbeat music at Krazy Kanguruh. It may be small, but the place has huge personality. If you get here early, be sure to grab a bite from the menu. The food is good and portions are gigantic. Grab a Jägermeister and party on as the atmosphere gets almighty. Head to MooserWirt for some German pop and enjoy the Austrian après scene. Arrive for mid-afternoon as this popular spot gets busy quickly. Not so much of a skier? No problem. Join your friends at these après bars, jump on the bus from town and just stroll across a short amount of piste to reach these bars.

Ski to bottom of Gampen and hit the 3pm party vibe at Das Basecamp. With live music and international DJ’s blowing the roof off, you’ll have a knees up at this prime après spot.

After you freshen up and refuel on chalet dinner, head back out to town and continue the après ski. Head into Bar Cuba for a couple of drinks, meet other ski goers and tap your feet to the music. The underground bar is a great place to start the evening. Then make your way to Scotty’s bar for a fun-filled night. Chill with friends in a booth, challenge each other to games of table football, sip on cocktails and dance into the night.

This Austrian gem has plenty of fabulous places to stay, including Chalet Gerlinde, which sleeps up to nine people. With great bedrooms, a sauna and cosy living space, savour its close location to chairlifts and the après bars and nightlife makes this chalet ideal for those late après ski drinks. Or stay at The Schneider, a charming chalet styled apartment located in the centre of town. If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, stay at the modern alpine apartment The Maroi. With its stunning interior design, sauna and great location, this place is at the heart of the action.

The Three Valleys hosts amazing ski pistes to play on, where every day of your ski holiday is different. Book flights to Lyon or Geneva and stay in the village of Méribel for easy day outs to Val Thorens and Courchevel. Experience the broader scene of après ski across the valleys and find your favourite. With a wide selection of restaurants and bars, take a break or start the après early. 

With the Folie Douce in both Val Thorens and Méribel, there is no excuse not to go. With a party atmosphere like no other, dance on tables and soak up the views. As your mood soars, so do the prices, be sure to keep an eye out to move on for more value at other après destinations. For live music, ski-in, ski-out, energy and top toffee vodka, make tracks for Le Rond Point Bar. Also known as ‘Ronnie’, this is the largest après ski bar in France. Enjoy the terrace, views and party until the sun goes down.

With plenty of happy hour offers and music kicking off at 5pm every weekday, Jack’s Bar is the place to be. If you don’t make it to chalet dinner, grab a bite to eat whilst you enjoy the atmosphere and then try out the extensive cocktail menu of Jack’s and make the most of 2-4-1 cocktails between 9pm-10pm.

For the after-dinner party-goers, make a move to O’Sullivan’s Den Bar and Club. Arrive a little earlier for a cheeky promotional offer, a game of beer pong and free entry before 1am. With a resident DJ and big-name DJ’s playing throughout the season, there is music to keep you out until the early hours of the morning, to polish off your day in après style.

Charming accommodation is renowned in the Alps and Chalet Amajena delivers a wonderful ski sanctuary. This chalet boasts stunning panoramic views from the terrace with an outdoor Jacuzzi, as well as a wonderful open plan living and dining area. Or the quirky six person chalet styled apartment, The Annabel is just a short walk from the slopes. Stay at the Chalet Sabaudia, a woody and quirky chalet, with a log fire and cosy living area, the chalet is just a short walk to chairlifts.