If you’re like me, your favorite thing about skiing is the après-skis. Sure, gliding down the slopes is fun and all, but is rupturing your knee ligament really that worth it? Meh, I’ll pass.
I’d rather stay safe with an Aperol Spritz in my hands, safely sitting on a sunny terrace.
What really gets me excited is unbuckling those bloody boots, grabbing a drink and dancing like I just won the downhill race (even though I barely made it down in one piece). So, here we go.
After testing a fair sample of afterskis in various stations, here are my Top 5:
Val d’Isère-Tignes, Chamonix, Val Thorens, Avoriaz et Alpes d’Huez
Think Ibiza meets the Alps.
La Folie Douce is legendary for its open-air, high-energy party scene right on the slopes. With DJs, live musicians and dancers bringing the house down every afternoon, you’ll find yourself dancing on tables in ski boots without a second thought.
Just don’t forget the ski back down – a tipsy descent is part of the adventure. It is arguably the most iconic après-ski in the world. I’ve tested the après-skis in Chamonix, Val d’Isère and Val Thorens, and man do I keep good memories.
You’ve probably seen the video that broke the internet recently of grandparents killing it on the dance floor at La Folie Douce. It is genuinely that crazy every single time; it never disappoints.
This iconic Verbier hotspot is famous for its retractable roof, meaning you can party under the sky no matter the weather. Live bands keep the crowd going, the atmosphere is electric, and the cocktails are dangerously good.
This place truly delivers: They even have a live band every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s the place to be in Verbier.
St. Anton, Austria (Okay, we’re border-hopping here, but we’re fancy, we party in the Alps)
Okay, okay … technically, this one’s in Austria, but it’s too legendary not to mention. Known for selling more beer per square meter than anywhere else in the Alps, MooserWirt is a paradise of Schlager music, beer showers and absolute après-ski mayhem.
Bringing a waterproof jacket and wrapping your phone in cellophane is highly recommended – you’ll thank me later.
A hidden gem in Megève, Le Piaf offers an intimate and lively après-ski experience. With a cozy, vintage Parisian ambiance, this spot is perfect for those who enjoy live music, fine wines and a bit of old-school glamour mixed with alpine charm. From Thursdays to Saturdays, there is a live pianist who electrifies the dancefloor.
I even partied there with my parents; we spent one hell of a night out.
This icy wonderland is literally an igloo village where you can sip cocktails in an actual snow bar, soak in a hot tub under the stars and if the night gets too crazy, you can even stay overnight in a cozy ice suite. The stunning Matterhorn backdrop makes this place special, and the fact that everything is carved in ice makes it one of the most original après-skis I’ve been too so far.
There’s something to partying in the mountains that makes it special. Might be the altitude, might be the cold, I don’t know, but it’s special. So, whether you’re raising a glass on a sun-drenched terrace, dancing in your ski boots, or sipping champagne in an igloo, the Alps have a spot with your name on it.
So, here’s to sore legs, full glasses and nights that turn into stories to be remembered. See you at the bar!
Charlotte Laborie grew up in England, Belgium and Switzerland. Charlotte then moved to Paris and graduated from Sciences Po Paris. She is still based in Paris, where she works in marketing.
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