As fun as the slopes are, après ski can be an equally important part of a ski holiday. Whether you want to socialise at a bar or dance the night away at a nightclub, ski resorts offer a lot of options. The question is, where are the best places for après ski in Europe and North America? According to many, après ski culture was born in Europe. Many of the world’s most renowned après ski bars are located in the Alps. The Ski Solutions experts have created a guide to the best après ski resorts in Europe and the rest of the world. Let’s go après skiing!
1. Val Thorens, France
Not only is Val Thorens the highest ski resort in Europe, but it is also one of the best après ski resorts in Europe. It has a bit of everything. The village boasts a swimming pool, indoor tennis and squash courts. Great for those who want a change of pace from the slopes. Most hotels or chalets have brilliant spa or gym facilities too.
If you love Asian cuisine then we highly recommend the Wokski restaurant. Brilliant dishes that you rarely get in the Alps. Like Val d’Isère, there’s a fantastic La Folie Douce bar that really gets the party started off the slopes. Le Malaysia and Klub Summit are the main nightclubs in town if you want to stay up until the early hours. A variety of ways of après skiing in Val Thorens
Stay At:
Sitting at an altitude of 2,300m, the Hotel Le Fitz Roy is the highest sitting five-star hotel in all of Val Thorens and provides guests with an excellent residence to complement their luxury ski holiday.
2. St. Anton, Austria
St. Anton is one of the best après ski resorts in the world. Part of the amazing Arlberg ski area, St. Anton delivers on and off the slopes. It’s one of the top après ski resorts because of its brilliant atmosphere and choice of bars. Many of the hotels have delightful state-of-the-art swimming pools and spa facilities. In addition, the village has brilliant bars and restaurants to enjoy.
The Museum is a fantastic place to eat. It’s an elegant villa that was built in 1912 and serves a delicious variety of dishes. If there’s one place you should visit in St. Anton, it has to be the Krazy Kanguruh. Olympic slalom champion Mario Matt owns the bar and it has the best atmosphere in the whole resort, if not Austria. Expect a lot of drinks and dancing.
Stay At:
Located in the centre of St. Anton, the four-star Hotel Schwarzer Adler is a stone’s throw from the lifts.
3. Verbier, Switzerland
In the heart of the 4 Valleys ski area, Verbier is one of the best places for après ski. The resort prides itself on excellent service and top-class establishments. Its brilliant facilities only add to the lively après skiing atmosphere. If you love a bit of retail therapy, there’s a great selection of shops to browse in in the village.
For the best sushi in town, you can eat at the T-bar restaurant. A great way to enjoy your evening. Verbier has a very lively nightlife. Le Rouge is a brilliant bar that has fantastic mountain views and regular DJ sets. Le Farinet is another great bar for live music and a fun atmosphere. On and off the slopes Verbier is a real treat.
Stay At:
Situated in the heart of Verbier, the Hotel Vanessa is an ideal spot for an Alpine break.
4. Val d’Isère, France
Val d’Isère is one of the best après ski resorts in Europe. Part of the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area, the opportunities are endless when you’re in the French ski resort. For the thrill-seekers, there’s an amazing BMW ice driving experience with a dedicated track. Not only this, there’s a cinema, a large leisure centre and many bars and restaurants to choose from.
Le Grande Ourse serves some of the best French cuisines in town. If you want a true après skiing experience look no further than the La Folie Douce. Expect professional dancers, DJs and a very lively atmosphere throughout the season. If you’re looking for a great late-night out, the legendary Dick’s Tea Bar is the place to be. Open till late and a fun club to have a dance.
Stay At:
Chalet Hotel Le Savoie occupies an exceptionally convenient location on Val d’Isère’s main street and just moments from the ski lift.
5. Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is regarded as one of the best après ski resorts in Europe. Its lively atmosphere and activity choices off the slopes provide great entertainment to tourists. Whether you’re looking to unwind in the many saunas or hit the bars, there’s something for everyone. For a unique experience head to The Paznauner-Taja which has a fun ice bar and often plays live music.
Pacha is one of the biggest nightclubs in the Alps and is a popular spot for those who want to stay out late into the morning. A great place to eat is Paznauner-Stube which serves brilliant traditional Austrian food. For families, there’s also a great waterpark in the village, which is open throughout the season.
Stay At:
Located two minutes from the gondola and a short walk to the centre of Ischgl, the Hotel Solaria is an excellent four-star option.
6. Whistler, Canada
Whistler is regularly on the top of people’s bucket lists to visit. It’s no wonder with its superb skiing and the activities off the slopes. It’s often considered to have some of the best après ski in the world. Thrill-seekers can enjoy the incredible bobsleighing at the Whistler Sliding Centre. There’s also the breathtaking Peak 2 Peak Sightseeing Experience too.
The Araxi restaurant has a brilliant reputation in town. It specialises in seafood and Pacific Rim dishes. If you’re in Whistler you have to watch the fantastic local rock band The Hairfarmers. The band know how to party and regularly play at Merlin’s Bar. For a more relaxed atmosphere head to Buffalo Bill’s, where you can put your feet up by the fire. Many different ways of après skiing in Whistler.
Stay At:
The Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel offers 81 spacious suites complete with kitchenettes, fireplaces and balconies in every suite.
7. Livigno, Italy
One of the liveliest ski resorts in Italy is Livigno. Its fun atmosphere coupled with the many activities you can do off the slopes makes it fantastic for après skiing. In the village, there’s a leisure centre called Aquagranda which offers a swimming pool, gym and beauty centre. In addition, there’s many restaurants, bars and clubs to enjoy too.
We recommend the Concordia for a superb fine dining experience. The restaurant serves delicious local Italian cuisine. Hotel Alegra’s bar is a great spot for a drink after a day on the slopes. Marco’s is another favourite and often shows live sporting events on TV. If you want to dance the night away Bivio Club has great live music.
Stay At:
Hotel Amerikan in Livigno has an enviable position, just 20m from the lifts. The hotel features an eco-friendly indoor pool, pizzeria, and restaurant.
8. Mayrhofen, Austria
Home to the famous Snowbombing festival, Mayrhofen is one of the best places for après ski. Top artists such as Stormzy and Liam Gallagher have all performed in the Austrian ski resort. Throughout the season there’s brilliant après skiing to enjoy. The choice of restaurants, bars and clubs is fantastic.
If you want the full traditional Austrian dining experience, Wirtshaus Zum Griena is the place to be. Expect waitresses in dirndl and classic Austrian dishes. Pilzbar’s umbrella bar usually gets the party started when the lifts close. Europop is regularly blaring out of the bar. For a full nightclub experience, The Arena Club in the Hotel Strass is a great night out. Every genre of music you can think of is played here.
Stay At:
Hotel Elisabeth in Mayrhofen is a small luxury hotel for adults only, famous for its superb cuisine.
9. Méribel, France
Located in the Three Valleys ski area, Méribel is one of the best après ski resorts in Europe. The French resort has a beautiful mountain backdrop matched with fantastic places to visit during your stay. For those looking to unwind there is a public spa, you can book. Families and groups can enjoy bowling at the local alley.
One of the best restaurants in town is the Blanchot, which serves delicious gourmet food. The ambience is delightful and there’s a lovely log fire too. A great place for a pint or two is Jack’s bar which has very friendly staff and live music. If you’re looking for a late-night of fun, O’Sullivans has regular DJ sets from international artists.
Stay At:
The Hotel La Chaudanne in Méribel is a comfortable hotel which offers great access to the slopes.
10. Aspen, USA
Aspen has some of the best après ski in the world, with so many restaurants, shops, bars and clubs to enjoy. Located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, not only does it have superb skiing but it also delivers off the slopes. If you’re a foodie you’re in for a treat. Name a cuisine and there’s a restaurant for it in Aspen. We recommend the Bauhaus-inspired dining room experience of Plato’s restaurant. Beautiful mountain views matched with delicious food.
You can also get a bit of retail therapy whilst you’re in the ski resort. The town has designer shops such as Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton. If you love a bit of history and culture, Aspen has 50 galleries to explore too. The Belly Up Bar is a great intimate place to drink with live music. Caribou and Cigar Bar are the best nightclubs in town if you want to dance the night away. One of the best places for après ski.
Stay At:
In the heart of Aspen, the Hotel Little Nell is one of the premier hotels in this stylish resort.
To find out more about the best après ski resorts in Europe and the world, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
