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Best après ski bars in Europe and beyond

In our opinion without good après ski, a ski holiday is just not a proper holiday! The reason for the unique atmosphere in après ski bars is the heady mix of; adrenaline, high altitude, alcohol, amazing people and cracking tunes. We’ve come up with what we think are the best après ski bars to make your ski holiday search easy and help you find the best, liveliest bars in Europe and beyond to suit a variety of budgets.

1. Folie Douce Val D'isère, France

The original Folie Douce started in Val d'Isere and is situated at the top of the La Daille cable car. Folie douce in French means “sweet madness” and there couldn’t be a more appropriate name for this crazy après ski bar. The fun starts early in the afternoon and the mix of outrageous live music, DJs, performers, drinking and dancing on tables carries on till the last lift down. Choose to ski at your own risk and you will have an experience like the 60s cartoon “Wacky Races”.

The brand has become so popular that they now have bars in Chamonix, Val Thorens, Meribel, Megeve, Alpe d’Huez, Avoriaz and Les Arc.

Browse ski holidays to Val d'Isere here

 

Folie Douce Val D'isère

Credit: Folie Douce, Val D'isère

2. Ronnie’s in Meribel, France

Another firm favourite with both holidaymakers and seasonaires alike is the après ski bar; Ronnie’s or Rond Point in Meribel. This is a great hang out with live music and DJs, dancing on the tables and a similar madness to Folie’s but with an English twist.

The action starts early and finishes when folks return for their evening meal. You can either attempt to ski down the remaining run or take the free bus to the centre.

Browse ski holidays to Meribel here

Ronnie’s in Meribel

Credit: Rond Point, Meribel

3. Pano Bar in Les Deux Alpes, France

The bar has a full-on atmosphere with a festival feel to it, so if you want to see a mad Dutchmen crowd surfing in a canoe, then the Pano bar is the place for you. Again, there is a heady mix of DJs, dancers and bongo players and the après here are more expensive than the other bars in the centre of Les Deux Alpes. However, the surreal experience is well worth it.

It is located opposite the mid-station of the Jandri express and the action starts at 15:00 and finishes at 17:00. We recommend taking the last lift down, as the final run is super challenging, more recently a narrow green run that snakes back into town has been created, but as you can imagine this is very crowded. Trust us, we’ve tried both routes and wouldn’t recommend either.

Browse ski holidays to Les Deux Alpes

Pano Bar in Les Deux Alpes

Credit: Pano Bar, Les Deux Alpes

4. Krazy Kanguruh in St Anton, Austria

With a history stretching all the way back to 1965, this legendary bar in St Anton is where après ski as we know it started. It has a distinctly Austrian feel to it, with its classic sing-along tunes, dancing on tables and shots of Jager. You haven’t really done après until you have been here. Make sure you get a table before 15:00, after which time it is almost impossible to get one. The party goes on till 20:00, but no one really wants to leave and when they do it is another Wacky Race experience, but this time via the last section of a red run 21 and with torches on phones.

We would recommend leaving early and carrying on at Mooserwirt before the rest of the Krazy customers follow.

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5. Pilz Bar in Mayrhofen, Austria

If your vibe is dancing on tables, putting your hands in the air and singing your heart out to a mixture of Europop, classic Austrian and heavy rock music, then the Pilz Bar is not to be missed. It is situated at the top of the Penken gondola, in the budget-friendly resort of Mayrhofen. Here you will find reasonably priced beers and a fantastic atmosphere combined. Again, rather than skiing, we would recommend taking the gondola down to the town at 17:00.

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Pilz Bar in Mayrhofen

Credit: Pilz Bar, Mayrhofen

6. Trofana Alm in Ischgl, Austria

Known as a destination in and of itself, the Trofana Alm is a busy, crowded bar. Ischgl is the premium resort for Austrians looking to party and the Trofana doesn’t disappoint. If you want a lively, fun, crowded après ski bar bursting with energy, then the Trofana is the place for you. Here you will experience singing along with a distinct ompa ompa feel till about 20:00. The Trofana is conveniently located in town near to the Trofana Royal Hotel.

Browse ski holidays to Ischgl here

7. Pub Mont Fort in Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier is famed for its après in Switzerland, however, the liveliest bar is directly opposite the Madran lift. The legendary Pub Mont Fort has been kicking off the festivities since the late 1970s. Happy hour here starts at 16:00 with half-price drinks making it an extremely popular bar in the premium-priced resort. If you come back in the evening DJs will be blasting out the tunes and there is an occasional band night. The bar puts on a variety of themes and activities such as fancy dress, silent discos and twister just to name a few.

Browse ski holidays to Verbier here

8. Longhorn Saloon Whistler, Canada

Whistler is well known for its party scene, but in our opinion, the best après ski is here. If you like busy bars, great DJs, loud music, ski shots, champagne guns and a bouncing atmosphere, then this is the place to be! As well as the outside area featuring fire tables to drink at, inside there is a nice bar area with a pool table if you fancy a game. The action kicks off at 14:00 and carries on till late in the night. The bar is situated at the bottom of the Excalibur gondola.

Browse ski holidays to Whistler here

Longhorn Saloon Whistler

Credit: Longhorn Saloon, Whistler

9. Ghost bar in Sauze D’Oulx, Italy

If you are looking for fun après ski on a budget then Sauze D’oulx is your answer. Ghost is ideally situated just at the bottom of the Clotes chair lift and boasts lively music, cheap beers and a fantastic happy hour.
This après ski bar has a great atmosphere and is the perfect place to party, featuring live music, DJs and Karaoke. It is busiest between 16:00 and 20:00.

Browse ski holidays to Sauze D’Oulx here

10. Happy End Bar Bansko, Bulgaria

With a mixture of live rock music, DJs and professional dancers this lively après ski bar in Bansko really kicks off after 16:00 and goes on till 20:00. Here you will need to pay with cash and the prices are higher when compared to other bars in Bansko, but they aren't crazy. There is a happy hour that starts at 15.30 with 2 for 1 on drinks, however, even without this, it's still cheaper than any other country on this list. The bar is situated next to the main gondola in the resort centre.

Browse ski holidays to Bansko here

11. Restaurant Vinkkari in Levi, Finland

Après ski doesn’t spring to mind when thinking of Finland, however, if you are on a ski trip there, then the best place in the country for it is in Levi. People travel from across Finland just to experience it. The restaurant Vinkkari is legendary with the locals and it has a distinct Finnish twist with live music, dancing on tables and conga lines till 19:00. Located at the bottom of the main gondola, the bar has an ideal location to experience Finish culture.

Browse ski holidays to Levi here

Restaurant Vinkkari in Levi

Credit: Restaurant Vinkkari, Levi

 

Most expensive to cheapest après ski resorts

  • Verbier
  • Whistler
  • Val D'isere
  • Meribel
  • Levi
  • Ischgl
  • St Anton
  • Les Deux Alpes
  • Sauze D’oulx
  • Bansko

We have only scratched the surface for après ski bars in the world, covering the liveliest and most infamous.
If you’re looking to book a ski holiday, then don’t hesitate to ring one of our ski experts on 0203 993 4298. They can match your après needs with your budget and ski holiday requirements.