The 10 Best Après Ski Party Spots in the World - By: Jon Simpson

There is no denying that for some, the allure of the mountains is to drink, party hard, drink and then throw a bit of skiing into the mix as well, secure in the knowledge that a long lift ride in minus twenty, can shift the most stubborn of hangovers.

For those who prefer pints of beer to pistes and powder, here are some suggested party spots in the mountains – oh, and the skiing’s okay too.

Val D’Isere, France

Fulham-in-the-mountains, has great skiing (should you get round to it), as well as some very well known drinking spots. The original Dick’s Tea Bar opened here, so head for some après ski drinks before the disco scene begins. Alternatively, if you can’t make it that far (100m from the lifts) then ski to Bananas straight off the slopes. For dinner try the Perdrix Blanche with great food and a big tank of lobsters which rumour has, people sometimes jump in. With cheap flights to France available on many budget airlines all year round you could even skip the skiing all together and just go for the great nightlife.

Mammoth Mountain, California, USA

With an average snowfall of over 10 metres a year, you can be pretty much guaranteed great skiing in this Californian resort. End a day on the slopes at the Yodler Bar and Restaurant, or perhaps the Grizzly Bar to check out their killer drinks specials. Petra’s Wine Bar offers a more refined experience, and if later you fancy dancing the night away, try Lakanuki or The Whiskey Creek Mountain Bistro for some live music.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix’s deserved reputation for great skiing is matched by its equally renowned nightlife. There’s loads to choose from and once the skiing’s over, where better to ponder the options from than Café la Terrasse where you can enjoy beautiful views of Mont Blanc from their open-air upstairs balcony. The Jekyll, behind Chamonix Sud, is worth a look for its cosy, barn-like vibe, but the real unmissable spot is Chambre Neuf. It's here that live music deafens and the cocktails flow freely; you'll find yourself dodging foxy Swedish barmaids and people dancing on the tables...still wearing ski boots. Chamonix is easily reachable from both France and Switzerland so with a choice between flights to Geneva or to several airports on the French side you’re sure to find an affordable way to get there.

St. Anton, Austria

With one of the deepest snow bases in the Alps, this is one of the more reliable resorts for quality skiing. You can certainly be guaranteed good partying though, with even most of the restaurants staying open to 2am. Check out the Mooserwit Bar whilst DJs spin the discs, the Krazy Kangeroo (where the author has seen the most extraordinary things happen), and if you’re on for an all-nighter, then you can go straight to breakfast from Kartouche.

Méribel, France

It seems that the availability of flights to France is making it a popular place for skiers and party animals alike. Méribel is yet another French resort that attracts a lot of Brits – this may not necessarily be a good thing. The place to be, straight off the slopes, is the “Ronny” or Rond Point where bottles of toffee vodka can be shared – or not – and you can get your evening off to a great start. The main square sees most of the action so why not try out Taverne Bar or Jack’s Bar, or if you fancy being a bit more upmarket Le Poste for cocktails.

Breckenridge, Colorado

You might not think of the US as having the same “enthusiastic” après ski scene as Europe, but this resort might change that. There is a buzzing nightlife with great clubs and bars to choose from. Cecilia’s on main street is the place to be any night of the week, whilst if thumping music isn’t your bag, then head to the Liquid Lounge, Burke and Riley’s Pub, or sample some brews at the Breckenridge Brewery.

Queenstown, New Zealand

If you live in Europe or the States and fancy a spot of skiing in July or August, then why not take the hit on the travel front and head to New Zealand. Queenstown is the home of adrenaline sports, but also has some decent skiing too. It is also a major party town with lots of options available. Try Minus 5 – a bar made entirely out of ice (including the glasses), The World Bar or The Bunker. For a bit of clubbing head to Tardis or Debajo.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is one of the highest ski resorts in Europe and can offer top to bottom skiing of over 2,200 vertical metres – one of only nine resorts in the world to boast this. It has a busy après ski scene too with the likes of the Papperla Pub, GramPi’s Pub or the Panorama Bar on top of the Nicoletta Hotel. For music lovers, the only place to go is the Hotel de la Poste with its collection of clubs and bars.

Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Tremblant has been voted the best ski resort in eastern North America for the last decade due, largely, to the huge investment which has been pumped into it. There are plenty of choices available in the evenings and look out for Le Petit Caribou (voted Best Bar in Eastern Canada by Ski Canada Magazine), Le Shack and the best party place in town, Bar Café d’Époque.

Kitzbühel, Austria

The home of the infamous Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel offers a terrific range of bars and clubs. The town caters for the cocktail crowd at places like Jimmy’s and Café Bergsinn, whilst if beers are more your thing then head to The Londoner Pub or Stamperl before strutting your stuff in Highways.

About the Author

A true travel author, Jon loves nothing more than taking exciting journeys across the globe waiting for the next piece...

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