What could be more satisfying than après-ski in France? After challenging runs down perfect pistes, feasting on delicious food, quaffing great wines or boutique beers, you get to party all night.
Après-ski can be anything from quiet drinks in a cosy restaurant or raucous parties with raging crowds, dancing into the small hours or even the whole night away (although that doesn’t leave much energy for shredding the slopes in the sunshine). And here are some of the best. If you can’t quite decide where to make your next foray on to the slopes here is a good selection of resorts to check out.
Chamonix
Chamonix is a tried and true old favorite for skiers and après-ski admirers. The town never has a dull moment as it attracts visitors and holiday makers all year round for sports and relaxation. Over the ski season there is always a great line up of live bands and DJs playing at various bars including Chambre Neuf, La Terrasse, La Yaute, and Munster Bar. What about Irish bars? They are great the world over!
Spa at Le Hameau Albert 1er
For some crashing action you can also check out regular ice hockey games at the Chamonix Ice Rink while drinking a glass or two of your favorite wine. Nearby is the Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (MBC), the popular boutique micro brewery.
If French epicurean delights are more your fancy, check out the double Michelin starred restaurant in the century old 5 Star Le Hameau Albert 1er hotel and their amazing Spa.
Val d’Isere
Val d’Isere is a real party town. If you think a 2.30pm kick off is a good time to start you can know it’s going to be a long night. La Folie Douce in Val d’Isere is one of five in the French Alps, all with fantastic shows choreographed by Kely Starlight. The entertainment is full on from the start with energetic dancers, unbelievable routines, jamming djs, crazy costumes and oh so different music styles. And you haven’t even left the ski slopes!
BMW xDrive Tour – Picture by andyparant.com
Val d’Isere is a ski world cup town and there are always events and activities happening throughout the season. In February 12th – 15th BMW X Drive Tour comes to town followed by Airstar Night Light Evening February 16th 2017. Then there is the Carnival in March and the BMW Winter Golf Cup.
Oh, and the skiing is awesome! Last time I looked there was nearly a meter and a half of snow, a cool temperature of -2o°C and the sun was shining. Perfect!
Val Thorens
Val Thorens is the highest resort town in the Three Valleys and has a well established reputation as a vibrant party town. No town with such a reputation can escape La Folie Douce with their mid afternoon parties, similar to Val d’Isere ones.
La Folie Douce – Val Thorens
Follow that revelry at La Fruitiere for enough sustenance before embarking on a night of revelry. You party, you eat, you party then you make your way down the slopes so you can to continue in town at other après-ski hot spots. Take your pick of places to enjoy the evening like Dick’s Tea Bar as well Frog and Roastbef, Café Snesko, and Le Viking.
If you still have head for heights at the end of the day, ski into Koh-I Nor Hotel, the highest 5 Star hotel in Europe for a sundowner on their terrace bar to watch the charming town light up.
Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes is less formulated when it comes to après-ski. It has a decidedly more relaxed attitude but even the altitude here can make you feel intoxicated. The glacier ski area tops out at over 3,500m but the parties usually start a little lower at about 2,600m at Pano Bar lift station. A lively DJ set will set the tone of the entertainment. Schuss home down the intermediate Jandri run to make it safely back to the village for further après-ski adventures.
Pano Bar – Picture by Yoann Peisin
You’ll find some action at The (not-so-very) Secret Bar for live bands, then check out the rest of the pubs and bars along the popular entertainment strip like Smokey Joes or Smithy’s Tavern.
Mix a little Business in your Pleasure
It’s worth considering that some of the larger hotels in these resorts have excellent conference and business facilities. Perhaps you can combine a little “bleisure” interests when planning your next company business.
At the End of the Day
By the time you get to snuggle into some crisp white sheets and close your eyes you will soon be dreaming of paralleling down freshly groomed slopes. After 24 hours of fun and action in the French Alps, it’s like you never want to leave. What are you waiting for? You only have to pack your ski pants!
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