The 11 Best Après-Ski Bars in Europe

Folie Douce is considered to be the après of all après, and if you’ve never been, it’s bound to be an eye-opener! With establishments in between Meribel and Courchevel, as well as between Val D’Isere and Tignes, their other locations include Val Thorens, Megève and Alpe D’Huez. Hearing the bass thumping a couple of pistes away, you will no doubt want to see what all the commotion is. Next thing you know, you’re dancing on tables in your ski boots next to the saxophonist, with champagne being sprayed everywhere.

Meribel’s favourite après-ski bar is more affectionately known as the ‘Ronnie’. All pistes eventually lead to this après-ski bar, found at the top of resort, and it would be rude not to take a peek. With live bands most days, as well as the occasional DJ, the place is the life and soul of each afternoon. What’s more, you can take the slide down to the bathrooms, saving you from awkwardly trying to master going down the steps in your ski boots.

A social hub in a glamorous resort, ‘Verbs’, is located next to the Medran gondola and is where all the good-timers congregate to watch live bands and get the afternoon drinks in. The roof is quite the talking point, because when it starts to snow heavily, it automatically closes – genius!

Val Thorens is known as a party destination in the Alps, popular during student ski weeks as well as in Dutch Week. During the warmer months, the terrace is the perfect place to find a deck chair and top up your tan with a beer in hand.

If you fancy yourself as an indie pop star, here’s your time to shine, as you bellow along to popular songs with a glass of dutch courage in your hand. The bar is located opposite the popular Solaise lift, and you absolutely should swing by; with a bus stop right outside, what are you waiting for?

Les Deux Alpes is another resort that’s known for its party reputation, and Pano Bar is the alfresco bar where you’ll want to dance the afternoon away. A word of warning: don’t get too carried away, as you still have to ski down to the resort afterwards.

Boasting panoramic views, this is one of Europe’s original après-ski bars, and a good time is almost guaranteed. See the afternoon off with a mixture of old-school rock, a band of merry revellers and plenty of beers. Again, you need to ski back to the resort.

You can’t miss the ever-growing afternoon crowds outside Loop Bar as you ski down Trolles into Tignes Le Lac. This is the perfect place to carry on the celebrations after La Folie Douce, with live music blasting across the piste; you absolutely must go in and get yourself a demi-peche (half lager, half peach syrup).

This glamorous ski-in/ski-out hotel becomes the social hub of seasonaires and punters alike each afternoon. Whether you pop in for a late lunch or to lounge in the comfortable sofas overlooking the resort, you will be sure to be lured into the bar as the DJ begins. As the afternoon closes in, the sunset from the terrace is a spectacular sight.

Host to many a wild party during Snowbombing Festival, this is an unmissable bar in Mayrhofen. The music can be an acquired taste, but equally it may bring back some youthful memories as they mix Barbie Girl into Crazy Frog, then mash it up with Dj Ötzi as the whole bar bursts into song. Thankfully, the Penken lift that takes you back to the resort isn’t far away.

Looking the part, much like many of the alpine bars you’ll see at Winter Wonderland, this après-ski bar’s traditional Tyrolean interiors really add to the magic of the resort. With the cheesiest singalongs and waiters tempting you with trays of beers and shots, you will be sure to get into the swing of it.