France is one of the best countries for après ski in the world – après ski is a French phrase after all! If you are looking for the ski resorts with the best après ski in France then look no further. With buzzing vibes, lively bars and table dancing galore, there is an après ski spot for everyone in these French après-ski hot spots.
There’s nothing better than rounding off a day of skiing with some après-ski fun. So, read on to discover the top 5 resorts for après ski in France!
1. Val D’Isère
Located high up in the expansive Tignes-Val D’Isère ski area and linked to the neighbouring resort of Tignes, the ever-glamorous resort of Val D’Isère is a haven for après ski. Home to the original Folie Douce, this alone gives it status as an iconic après ski destination. Located at the top of La Daille gondola, the Folie Douce in Val D’Isere is where the party starts and it can get pretty wild! Thankfully, you can get the gondola back down to the resort so you don’t have to worry about skiing back into the village. But the fun doesn’t stop at the bottom of the gondola. Head to Cocorico for live music and even more dancing before venturing to Dick’s Tea Bar. Opened in 1979, Dick’s Tea Bar is one of the biggest bars in the French Alps and is not to be missed! For a more sophisticated setting, head to Le Blizzard Bar, or dance the night away at Scandinavian bar, Le Petit Danois.
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2. Val Thorens
Val Thorens, sitting at an altitude of 2,300m, is the highest ski resort in Europe. The incredibly snow-sure resort offers fantastic skiing conditions as well as guaranteed après ski fun! Val Thorens is a young, buzzy resort with a party atmosphere that starts on the slopes. The hugely popular slope-side Folie Douce has daily live performers that ensure a fun-filled atmosphere, but be warned, you have to ski back down to the resort! Bar 360 is another popular slope-side après ski venue which has a reputation for its incredible DJ sets and panoramic mountain views and it benefits from a more gentle ski home. Back in the resort, France meets England at the Frog Pub, which is a popular spot for a beer or two before moving on to Cafe Snesko, an animated Dutch bar with live music. Make sure to end your night at Le Malaysia, the largest nightclub in the Alps. Built beneath the slopes you’ll be skiing on during the day, it boasts world-class DJs who will keep you glued to the dance floor all night long.
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3. Meribel
Deemed by many to be the most picturesque resort in The Three Valleys, Meribel is an excellent destination for skiing and an equally excellent destination for après-ski. With plenty of venues to choose from, Meribel is a firm favourite for après-ski enthusiasts from all over the world, but especially Brits. La Rond Point, otherwise known as ‘The Ronnie’ is an iconic and wildly popular ski-in venue on the slopes featuring live music and drinks by the jug. If the Rond Point wasn’t enough, Meribel is also home to a Folie Douce at the top of the Saulire gondola! In the resort, La Taverne is a traditional alpine bar, serving up food and drinks in a rustic setting. Jack’s Bar shows live sports and has a cosy atmosphere with a warming fireplace, or you can soak up the sun with a drink in hand at La Terrace Bar. For late-night partying, head to Sully’s bar, an underground pub/club with an energetic atmosphere and incredible DJ sets!
4. Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes sits at 1,650m in the Isère department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Despite being the second oldest ski resort in France, it has a young and fun atmosphere and offers a vibrant après-ski scene with plenty of après spots to choose from. Piste-side Pano Bar, located at 2,600 meters altitude, is one of Les Deux Alpes’ iconic après-ski destinations. Enjoy live music, DJ sets and a lively atmosphere while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Umbrella Bar is a great venue at the bottom of the piste, so you can ski straight there and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere as the ski day comes to a close. La Rhumerie is a pirate-themed rum bar which has a tantalising selection of more than 60 flavoured rums to choose from. The main street, Avenue de la Muzelle, is lined with bars and clubs which makes for some excellent bar-hopping. La Grotte du Yeti and Smithy’s Tavern are popular spots and if you want to keep the party going, L’Avalanche nightclub is open until 6am, so you can dance to the soundtrack of resident DJs until dawn!
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5. Tignes
Sitting at an altitude of 2,100m, Tignes is one of the best ski areas in the world for reliable snow and offers ideal conditions for skiers of all abilities. Often upstaged by Val d’Isère for its après ski scene, Tignes is becoming more popular for après ski year-on-year, so much so that it now rivals its neighbouring resort. The two main hubs of the resort are Tignes Val Claret and the slightly larger town of Tignes Le Lac, which sit on opposite sides of a frozen lake. The resort offers a diverse selection of bars and clubs, providing plenty of opportunities for evening entertainment. Popular après ski spots in Tignes include; Le Bollin for slope-side drinks and buzzy DJ sets, Grizzly Bar for a cosy and bustling atmosphere, Loop Bar for live music and beer by the jug, Cocorico for table dancing at dusk and The Marmot Arms for a lively, local feel. If you are looking to keep the party going, Strike in Tignes Le Lac and Blue Girl in Tignes Val Claret are the places to go for some late-night dancing.
You might also like: The Best Mountain Restaurants and Cafés in the 3 Valleys
For more ski resort inspiration, check out the skier review-based rankings of the Best Resorts for Après Ski in Europe from our friends at Snomad.