<p>Discover some of the liveliest ski resorts in the Alps</p>
Photo: Meribel Tourisme

Best Resorts for Apres Ski

Discover some of the liveliest ski resorts in the Alps

Advice
Published at: 24 Apr 2020
Last updated at: 9 Nov 2023

Discover the best apres ski in Europe with our guide to the top apres ski parties in the Alps. Although a day of skiing or snowboarding is hard to beat, there is no denying that apres-ski is a huge part of any ski holiday. Who doesn't love dancing in ski boots to live bands or DJs at the top of the mountain? However, for apres ski lovers it is important to pick a lively resort so we've chosen some of the best resorts across the Alps for partying on the piste.

Alicia Bryan
Alicia Bryan

1. St. Anton

Stay in St Anton

Located in the Tyrolean Alps, St. Anton is without a doubt one of the best apres-ski party towns in the mountains. Infamous for its lively parties, St. Anton has been the apres-ski capital of Austria since the 1960s with world-famous apres-ski bars including the Mooserwirt and the Krazy Kanguruh located on the blue Galzig piste.

One of Europe’s most famous bars, the Moosewirt first opened its doors in 1989, and has been the place to party ever since with DJ Gerard keeping the crowds entertained with great music and an exhilarating atmosphere every day from 3:30 pm to 8 pm.

One of the oldest bars in St Anton, the Krazy Kanguruh first opened in 1965, and today continues to offer great apres ski parties right on the piste as the infamous “DJ Partyhard” transforms the bar’s terrace into the largest open-air dance floor in the Arlberg.

Further piste-side entertainment can be found at the neighbouring bar of Taps which also has a great sun terrace and happy hour while the Anton Bar offers a more relaxed atmosphere with an open fire and chilled music. If you wish to carry the partying on into the later hours of the evening, both Piccadilly and Postkeller remain open until 4 am.

2. Val Thorens

Stay in Val Thorens
Apres ski folie douce val thorensPhoto: OT Val Thorens/Folie Douce

The highest ski resort in the Les 3 Vallées, Val Thorens has a young and vibrant nightlife with on-the-mountain parties on the Plein Sud Piste, as well as a quieter apres scene in upmarket hotel bars. Due to the success of the Folie Douce in Val D’Isère, several new venues followed suit with Folie bars in Val Thorens, Meribel, Megeve, Alp d'Huez and Les Arcs.

Located just above the Moraine and Portte chairlifts, Bar 360 is Europe’s highest party location at 2,368m with the world’s best DJ’s and MC’s including Afrojack to Nicky Romero. Enjoy the music and relax as Bar 360 transports you to a beach in a tropical island with sun loungers and a beach bar.

For a pub with loud music and table dancing look no further than The Frog & Roast Beef, the highest pub in Europe while Favela will give you a taste of Latin America in the Alps. Those looking to extend the evening, Malaysia nightclub has live music every night from 10 pm with DJ sets until 4 am.

3. Val d'Isere

Stay in Val d'Isere

Located in the Tarentaise Valley at 1,850m, the French ski resort of Val d’Isère with its link to the neighbouring resort of Tignes has a ski area of over 300km. Although the French apres ski parties are not quite as wild as St.Anton’s, Val d’Isère still has a lively apres ski scene with the likes of Cocorico and the infamous La Folie Douce.

Since 1980, La Folie Douce has bought generations together with one of the best clubbing scenes the Alps have to offer. Located at the top of La Daille cable car, La Folie Douce is the place to party on the piste for both skiers in Tignes and Val D’Isère with a cabaret lunch from 13:00 seeing DJs and singers as well as dancers and musicians put on a show for its crowd of skiers.

Following the cabaret lunch, at 14:30 its clubbing time, with singers, big-screen projections as well as light shows! When the partying at La Folie Douce has come to an end, it's time to head to Cocorico to party at the foot of the slopes. With happy hour, live music and DJ sets, this popular bar is the perfect place to dance the night away.

For a more sophisticated apres scene, try Le Jack with a cosy lounge atmosphere and a selection of tapas or the relaxed venue of M bar.

4. Meribel

Stay in Meribel
Apres ski at The Folie Douce in MeribelPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz/Meribel Tourisme

Part of Les 3 Vallées ski area, Méribel has a lively apres ski scene with a majority of British run bars packed with holidaymakers. With drinks promotions, live music and stand up comedy, Méribel also has a selection of more upmarket and civilized sports bars in which to enjoy the apres ski scene. When it comes to apres ski in Meribel, the most popular venues are, of course, La Folie Douce and Le Rond Pont with live music and DJs every day!

At Jack’s, enjoy a happy hour cocktail on the sunny terrace with soulful tunes, or try the infamous homemade toffee vodka. Those looking for a more civilized spot, will enjoy Barometer with a pub-style vibe serving also the best pizzas in town. With big DJ names, O’Sullivans (known as Sullys) is the place to be for late-night dancing and themed nights.

5. Verbier

Stay in Verbier

With slopes to suit all levels, Verbier is a popular resort with the British as well as the Dutch and Scandinavians. Found at the top of the Ruinettes gondola, Icecube is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed apres ski drink whilst taking in the sun on the terrace. For a more lively scene, both the Big Ben Pub and Pub Mont Fort are popular venues serving beer, wine and cocktails with the occasional quiz nights and bar games.

For a more sophisticated apres scene, La Rouge has the feel of a cosy chalet with an interior of old wood, modern furnishings and sheepskin throws.

With music from resident DJs and international guests artists, Le Rouge also has terraces with breathtaking panoramic views. A favourite amongst seasonaires, Farinet sees live bands performing every night of the season with happy hour and DJ’s playing until 4 am.

Fans of La Folie Douce will also enjoy a visit to Le Mouton Noir, the resort’s equivalent with a mix of cabaret and live music at 2,200m. The largest nightclub in Verbier, L’Etoile has both resident and internationally renowned international DJs playing a variety of music from R&B nights to funk and electronic music.