Top Après ski bars

For many skiers, the great resorts are measured not just by what they can offer you on the slopes, but also off of them.

Après skiing remains a big part of the ski experience, and with good reason: the fun, the music and the atmosphere (and sometimes a bit of alcohol) all combine to leave you with great memories and stories to take home with you.

Here are some of the top rated bars and clubs to visit whilst you're on your ski holiday.

Plus, read on to see the best Après ski drinks! 

Après ski bars:

1. La Folie Douce

Where: Alpe d’Huez / Méribel / Val d’Isère, France

The first La Folie Douce was opened in 1981 in Val d’Isère and the bar has not looked back since. The success of the bar now sees it boasting a stable of three with Alpe d’Huez and Méribel also home to its famous parties. If we had to pick our favourite out of the three, we’d have to say Val d’Isère as it was the original and has a superb location at the top of the La Daille lifts, making it very easy to access and nigh on impossible to miss when in full swing!

2. Mooserwirt

Where: St Anton, Austria

You could easy make a top 5 après ski bars for St Anton alone which made picking trying to pick out a couple of its best proved very difficult. Mooserwirt is one of the most famous ski bars in Europe and with good reason. Since 1989, they been entertaining skiers – these quirky Austrians sure know how to throw (not to mention enjoy) a party and if you love your Europop, this is a great place for it as our Operations Assistant Ali will attest: “Mooserwirt is incredible, my highlight was belting out Hey Jude and Robbie Williams’ Angels with loads of people around me doing the exact same!”.

3. Malaysia

Where: Val Thorens, France

This huge underground nightclub has played host to some of music’s best acts and DJs including: Chase & Status, Calvin Harris, Rudimental and Afrojack. This place really is one of the best venues in Europe’s highest ski resort and is located very conveniently on Val Thorens' rue du Caron. You enter through a conspicuous looking chalet and head down to the 700m2 dancefloor! Malaysia stays open to 4am, making it perfect if you’re looking for a long and late party session!

4. Le Rond Point

Where: Méribel, France

Le Rond Point, or “the Ronnie” as it’s affectionately known has been a firm favourite in Meribel for decades and is said to be the largest après ski bar in France. It sits just above Méribel’s already vibrant town centre. 

5. Nederhütte

Where: Obergurgl, Austria

Since 1988, Nederhütte has been the spot for anyone chasing a legendary mountain party with the views to match. At 2,104 metres, the sunny terrace is the heart of the action - and it's iconic for a reason. Don't be surprised if you see the owners themselves up on the tables and benches dancing with the crowd as a fun afternoon here is basically a guarantee. 

And if you're looking to recharge after a morning on the slopes, they serve up fresh, home-cooked food daily. It's the best pitstop, especially if you're looking to catch last lifts. Whether you're there to soak up the high-energy vibes or just grab a well-earned drink, Nederhütte always delivers. 

6. Le Pano Bar

Where: Les Deux Alpes, France

Les Deux Alpes is renowned for being one of the hidden gems of French après ski and when you get there it’s easy to see why. The resort itself is compact and within it there are many great bars such as: La Rhumerie and Temple Bar. But for pure on-the-slopes après brilliance, you’ve got to head to Le Pano Bar. Situated opposite the Jandri Express mid-station, the party begins at 3pm with a DJ ruling the roost until 5pm.

7. L’Abarset

Where: Soldeu, Andorra

Andorra’s fun atmosphere, great slopes and ever-improving infrastructure has seen its popularity grow every year in the UK ski market. Soldeu and Pas de la Casa boast 200km of pistes in the Grandvalira region and L’Abarset is one of El Tarter’s (Soldeu's neighbour) finest establishments with well-priced drinks and a great atmosphere. From 5pm, the terrace plays host to daily parties with big DJs and artists entertaining the crowds.

8. Ice Bar

Where: Mayrhofen, Austria

Mayrhofen has long since been renowned as a real party town, the fact that Snowbombing (one of the world’s biggest and best ski festivals) is hosted here tells you a lot about the kind of fun you can expect during your stay here. The Ice Bar is just one of the places you can head to in order to see what Mayrhofen’s all about. It’s conveniently located at the base station of the Horburg lift, meaning access to it couldn’t be easier!

9. Love Bar

Where: Cervinia, Italy 

Love is the place where après ski comes to life in Cervinia. It's the only place to be after a day on the slopes - relax with a pint or dance under the blue skies while DJs and live musicians set the vibe for the rest of the day. The energy here is hard to beat, and the views are even better.

Getting there is simple: just head up the cable car from Cervinia to Plan Maison and cruise down slope no.5 - you'll hear the music before you see it. Alternatively, take the Cretaz chairlift and you'll spot Love on the right as you get off. 

For a truly unbeatable experience, the Golden Table is a must. Booking before 3pm secures you an exclusive VIP spot right in the heart of the party. It really doesn't get much better than this. 

Après ski drinks

1. Vin Chaud

Whether you call it mulled wine, vin chaud, vin brulé, or glühwein you’re still glugging on a delicious, warm treat on a cold snowy day. Vin chaud as we like to call it is served all over the Alps and is a red wine which is flavoured with spices such as cinnamon, sweetened with sugar and given a zesty kick with oranges. Due to popularity across the Alps and taste it takes the spot as our number one ski drink.

2. Hot Chocolate 

Sometimes you can’t beat something comforting and well known and nothing tops a hot chocolate on the slopes. Whether it is a straight up hot cholate, with marshmallows, whipped cream or a more daring chocko rum (hot chocolate and rum) to give the drink an extra kick there is ample choice. You can also mix up the liqueur and add a shot of Baileys, Grand Marnier, Brandy, Amaretto, Kahlua or whatever you fancy!

3. Toffee Vodka

A delicious concoction of vodka and toffee sweets, mulled overnight to create a smooth, sweet toffee infused vodka. Toffee vodka is a firm après ski favourite!

4. Demi-Peche 

Refreshing and thirst quenching the demi-peche is the perfect short ski stop drink. It is widely drunk across France and the shot of peach syrup (used instead of squash) to give the drink a tangy twist. Only problem, this drink goes down a little too easily!

5. Genepi

Originating from France's Savoy region, Génépi is traditional herbal liqueur which is also famous across Italy's Aosta Valley in resorts like Cervinia and La Thuile. It’s a strong liqueur which tastes a buit like absinthe. It’s great to cleanse the pallet after a traditional fondue evening. Watch out- genépi is incredible strong so we recommend this for the evenings rather than during the day!

Please note: All establishments mentioned here were open at the time this article was published.

*Reccommended by Inghams ski holiday guests.