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Apres ski – where to party in the Alps

Apres ski for many is almost as important as skiing itself! French ski resorts such as Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens and Alpe d'Huez have got the hint and have opened apres ski bars such as La Folie Douce to the delight of thousands of apres ski fans. The traditional apres ski we used to enjoy in ski resorts in Austria still exists with some yodelling from time to time but has been overtaken by an avalanche of trendy apres skiing venues - particularly popular with the younger crowds although everyone is welcome. However, if you like quiet ski holidays, then read no further…

Apres ski fever at La Folie Douce in Val Thorens

La Folie Douce literally translated means ‘the gentle madness’. Having spent some time on the sun drenched Folie Douce terrace in Val Thorens taking in the views while listening to some rather uplifting music, I can say that this is a very fitting name ! However, at the Folie Douce, the festivities should really be called « après-déjeuner » because the fun gets going after lunch ! Scantily clad singers and dancers, sexy saxophonists and live DJs get the crowds dancing on the tables until dusk every day of the week. Not to be missed if you book your ski holidays in Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens, Meribel, Courchevel, Alpe d'Huez, St Gervais or Megeve.

La Folie Douce Val Thorens

Apres ski rendez-vous at the Rond Point, Meribel

The Rond Point, located on the main piste which leads back down to Meribel, has become a legendary apres ski spot in the French Alps. If you haven’t been to « The Ronnie », as the Rond Point is fondly known, then you just haven’t lived ! You’re guaranteed a raucous end to your day on the slopes with daily live bands and very boistrous dancing which get going as the sun goes down. Once you have had your fill of apres ski at the Rond Point, you can either ski down to the Chaudanne or take the bus which is highly recommendable.

The Rond Point, Meribel

Apres ski in St Anton

If you look for apres ski in Austria, the ski resort of St Anton keeps popping up in the Google search! Not surprisingly considering you will find both the Mooserwirt AND the Krazy Kangaruh in St Anton. If you’re a fan of apres ski and you haven’t yet heard of either of these venues, then you need to get booking your next ski holidays in St Anton to find out what all the fuss is about. The Mooserwirt and the KK (as the Krazy Kangaruh is fondly named) are your real, true to their name apres ski bars. Music gets going at the end of the afternoon and after some very lively table dancing, you come out at 8pm feeling like it’s midnight ! Remember these 2 venues are actually on the slopes, so take it very easy getting back down to St Anton - this is not the moment to show of your jumping skills!

Mooserwirt, St Anton

Apres ski in Zermatt, Switzerland

You might think that apres ski in Switzerland is a more civilised affair. Although you may hear less hype about apres ski bars in Swiss ski resorts, there certainly is no lack of them! Zermatt, in particular, has around 50 bars so party animals will enjoy the challenge of getting around them all in one week ! If you like get into the apres ski atmosphere early, then head to the Hennu stall at the end of the afternoon - if you like your apres ski loud and raucous, this is the place for you. Later on in the evening you can try the Brown Cow, Vernissage or Papperla. For some more civilised evening entertainment, try the Pink Elephant where you can listen to some jazz. Elsie's Bar is where you’ll find the fur coat clad crowd enjoying oysters and champagne. Dancing Simi is the best spot for traditional Swiss apres ski.

Hennu, Zermatt

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By showing the images contained in this article, Snowplaza does not endorse the consumption of alcohol, in particular, combined with winter sports.

Apres ski for many is almost as important as skiing itself! French ski resorts such as Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens and Alpe d'Huez have got the hint and have opened apres ski bars such as La Folie Douce to the delight of thousands of apres ski fans. The traditional apres ski we used to enjoy in ski resorts in Austria still exists with some yodelling from time to time but has been overtaken by an avalanche of trendy apres skiing venues - particularly popular with the younger crowds although everyone is welcome. However, if you like quiet ski holidays, then read no further…

Apres ski fever at La Folie Douce in Val Thorens

La Folie Douce literally translated means ‘the gentle madness’. Having spent some time on the sun drenched Folie Douce terrace in Val Thorens taking in the views while listening to some rather uplifting music, I can say that this is a very fitting name ! However, at the Folie Douce, the festivities should really be called « après-déjeuner » because the fun gets going after lunch ! Scantily clad singers and dancers, sexy saxophonists and live DJs get the crowds dancing on the tables until dusk every day of the week. Not to be missed if you book your ski holidays in Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens, Meribel, Courchevel, Alpe d'Huez, St Gervais or Megeve.

La Folie Douce Val Thorens

Apres ski rendez-vous at the Rond Point, Meribel

The Rond Point, located on the main piste which leads back down to Meribel, has become a legendary apres ski spot in the French Alps. If you haven’t been to « The Ronnie », as the Rond Point is fondly known, then you just haven’t lived ! You’re guaranteed a raucous end to your day on the slopes with daily live bands and very boistrous dancing which get going as the sun goes down. Once you have had your fill of apres ski at the Rond Point, you can either ski down to the Chaudanne or take the bus which is highly recommendable.

The Rond Point, Meribel

Apres ski in St Anton

If you look for apres ski in Austria, the ski resort of St Anton keeps popping up in the Google search! Not surprisingly considering you will find both the Mooserwirt AND the Krazy Kangaruh in St Anton. If you’re a fan of apres ski and you haven’t yet heard of either of these venues, then you need to get booking your next ski holidays in St Anton to find out what all the fuss is about. The Mooserwirt and the KK (as the Krazy Kangaruh is fondly named) are your real, true to their name apres ski bars. Music gets going at the end of the afternoon and after some very lively table dancing, you come out at 8pm feeling like it’s midnight ! Remember these 2 venues are actually on the slopes, so take it very easy getting back down to St Anton - this is not the moment to show of your jumping skills!

Mooserwirt, St Anton

Apres ski in Zermatt, Switzerland

You might think that apres ski in Switzerland is a more civilised affair. Although you may hear less hype about apres ski bars in Swiss ski resorts, there certainly is no lack of them! Zermatt, in particular, has around 50 bars so party animals will enjoy the challenge of getting around them all in one week ! If you like get into the apres ski atmosphere early, then head to the Hennu stall at the end of the afternoon - if you like your apres ski loud and raucous, this is the place for you. Later on in the evening you can try the Brown Cow, Vernissage or Papperla. For some more civilised evening entertainment, try the Pink Elephant where you can listen to some jazz. Elsie's Bar is where you’ll find the fur coat clad crowd enjoying oysters and champagne. Dancing Simi is the best spot for traditional Swiss apres ski.

Hennu, Zermatt

Leave a comment or join us on Facebook and share your apres ski tips and stories...

By showing the images contained in this article, Snowplaza does not endorse the consumption of alcohol, in particular, combined with winter sports.

137 - Winter - Nikki

About Nikki

Being lucky enough to have parents who were crazy about skiing, my love for the mountains started when I was 4 years old on our first family ski holiday to Austrian ski resort of Obergurl. One ski holiday a year was never enough and tears rolled down my face as I looked out the back window of the car on the drive down the valley on the way home!