Apres Ski Holidays

Après-ski is just as important as time on the slopes for many skiers. Whether it’s enjoying a cold beer on a sunny terrace with live music in the background, or dancing on tables in ski boots to classic Euro-pop anthems, the après-ski scene is a huge part of the overall ski holiday experience. Even with only a short window between the lifts closing and dinner time, the right resort can pack in plenty of fun, music and atmosphere.

Not all ski resorts are created equal when it comes to après-ski. Some are known for relaxed drinks and social vibes, while others are famous for full-blown parties that kick off as soon as the skiing ends. If you already have a particular après-ski experience in mind, choosing the right resort can make all the difference to your holiday

The best ski resorts for apres-ski

Here are our top picks of Alpine ski resorts for those who like their après-ski lively. These destinations are perfect for anyone who isn’t quite ready to head back to their chalet or hotel once the skiing is over. From slope-side DJ sets to legendary bars and late-night clubs, these resorts keep the energy high well into the evening.

Val d'Isere: birthplace of La Folie Douce

Chalets in Val d'Isere

Few French resorts are as synonymous with après-ski as Val d’Isère, and no party-focused list would be complete without it. As the birthplace of the original La Folie Douce – and still home to the brand’s flagship venue – the celebrations begin high on the mountain, with live funk and soul sets easing skiers into the afternoon before house and electronic beats take over later on.

Back in the village, the atmosphere continues well into the evening. Iconic spots such as Dick’s Tea Bar, Le Petit Danois, and Cocorico draw crowds with live music and buzzing terraces lit by fairy lights

St Anton: legendary Austrian apres-ski

Chalets in St Anton

Skiers in St Anton party as hard as they ski. The resort is home to some of the most famous apres bars in the world. Mooserwirt claims it sells more beer than any other bar in Austria, and just across the slope, Krazy Kangaruh says the crazy apres party scene of Europe started with them. Both are absolutely packed every afternoon from 4pm, but the seasonnaires can be found next door to "KKs" in Taps bar. At the bottom of Galzigbahn gondola, Basecamp bar blasts out the tunes from under its umbrella, but the drinks are slightly more expensive here and the tables too high to dance on! If you’re after something a bit more relaxed, Anton Bar next door has a perfect for a pint in the sunshine.

Val Thorens: The highest apres-ski partying in the Alps

Chalets in Val Thorens

Head to Val Thorens for the highest partying in the Alps. In the past, it hasn’t had as much attention as the other big Three Valleys resorts of Meribel and Courchevel, but Val Thorens has really come into its own in recent years. Often seen as the student party capital of European ski resorts, there’s plenty of apres-ski fun for everyone. Out on the slopes, the VT branch of La Folie Douce sits just above the town. Whilst it's smaller than its sister bars in neighbouring French resorts, it still holds one of the best parties in town.

Elsewhere in resort, The Frog and Roast Beef is the highest pub in Europe and is naturally popular with the British. The rowdiest bar in town is always Café Snesko, particularly after they set the ceiling and bar on fire in the evenings! And don’t be fooled by the outward appearance of Malaysia club, it might look like just a small mountain hut, but its huge underground rooms make it the largest club in the Alps.

Les Deux Alpes: the new Las Vegas or Ibiza?

Chalets in Les Deux Alpes

Referred to as both ‘Las Vegas of the Alps’ and ‘Ibiza on a budget’, Les Deux Alpes is an amazing choice for a holiday if you love to party. With 45 bars along its main street at 8 clubs, it has more venues than Val d’Isere and Tignes added together, and almost as many as the whole Three Valleys region. Pano Bar gives La Folie Douce a run for its money. Les Deux Alps is also the home of the legendary Rise Festival, which kicks off the season in early December. Umbrella Bar at the bottom of the slopes is popular, and the large umbrella means it's great fun whatever the weather. Other great options include Smokey Joe’s for live music and O’Brian’s pub with its disco from 10 pm.

Tignes: apres-ski to rival Val d'Isere

Chalets in Tignes

Not content with sitting in Val d’Isere’s shadow anymore, Tignes has seriously upped its apres game in recent years. With easy access to apres on the slopes and lots of good value accommodation options, Tignes has everything you need for an amazing apres-ski holiday. The resort’s branch of Cocorico’s opened in December 2018, as the resort's first open-air apres-ski bar. Elsewhere in town, Loop Bar is great for soaking up some late season sunshine. Saloon Bar, The Marmot Arms and Jack’s Bar are also popular spots to party.

Verbier: classy and sophisticated but also very expensive

Chalets in Verbier

If money is no object, it’s hard not to get swept up in the sophisticated and hedonistic vibe in Verbier. Apres-ski here is expensive and indulgent; Coco’s bar targets the billionaires and adds diamonds to one of their cocktails. Le Fairnet Bar, awarded Which?’s best apres ski bar, has a mechanical sliding roof. This can make for an amazing experience, when the roof opens during a light snowstorm and you’re dancing along to fantastic live music! Head to Farm Club for a classy night out full of celebrity spotting. If you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still lots of fun, try Le Pub Mont or Fer a Cheval.

Meribel: a great all-rounder ski resort with a lively apres-ski scene

Chalets in Meribel

Meribel is a real all-round ski resort, and is amazing for pretty much anything you could want on your ski holiday, including brilliant apres! As a popular resort with skiers and snowboarders from the UK, the parties and bars here have a distinctly British feel. Meribel has its own branch of La Folie Douce, which is guaranteed to be lively every afternoon. Also try Rond Point and its famous toffee vodka, if you like your apres loud and dancing on tables. Other great venues include Jack’s Bar, Le Poste and Le Loft.

Mayrhofen: famous for its Snowbombing festival - the party's here all season

Chalets in Mayrhofen

It’s most famous for hosting Snowbombing festival at the end of season, but Mayrhofen has a lively apres ski scene all winter. The resort is home to 30 huts and bars spread across the slopes, and it’s popular with a young crowd looking to party into the early hours of the morning. The White Lounge, with its 6m high igloo and outdoor bar, is a must-visit spot. Bruck n Stadl, found at the bottom of Ahornbahn gondola, is a traditional Austrian-style apres bar with reasonably priced drinks and Europop tunes. Other popular bars include Scotland Yard pub in town, inside the old police station, and Ice Bar next to Penken Gondola.