Après ski and ski holidays go hand in hand, like beach holidays and sunbathing. At Flagstone Travel each specialist has their favourite resort for the best après ski. Which is the best bar to head to and at what stage in the afternoon or early evening is the source of much debate. 

Below you will find my take on the 10 best après ski bars across the Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, listed in alphabetical order:

1. Bar 360, Val Thorens:

This piste-side bar sits above the centre of the resort. It’s about three minutes to ski back to town in the afternoon. Bar 360 is absolutely full of energy once it gets going each afternoon. This popular bar has a huge outdoor space and a sizable speaker system pumping out the tunes. 

This is loud, raucous and busy so a slightly acquired taste and not everyone’s cup of tea but for those in search of a fun and friendly bar for an afternoon of après ski then Bar 360 is a brilliant choice. It does get busy so getting there early is definitely a wise option.

2. Cocorico’s, Val d’Isère:

A relative newcomer to the après ski scene, Cocorico’s which opened in Val d’Isere in 2015 is one of the true powerhouses in a resort which has plenty of firepower when it comes to après ski and nightlife. Cocorico’s is the perfect compliment to La Folie Douce in Val d’Isère, rather than its rival. Start your afternoon at La Folie Douce on the mountain and as the slopes close, take the bus to Cocorico’s and continue on into the evening. 

Cocorico’s has a raised stage where you’ll find popular Alpine based bands like Bring Your Sisters playing live music alongside the popular resident DJ. You can expect old and new songs, plenty of familiar hits and plenty of toffee vodka. It’s a great option for groups with non-skiers as well as whilst it’s by the piste it’s easily reachable on foot just five minutes from the centre of the resort.

3. Krazy Kangaruh, St. Anton:

Personally my favourite on the list although that is with perhaps a little bias. Owned by the Austrian ski legend Mario Matt this formidable bar sits across the home piste from the MooserWirt bar and next to Taps bar. Perhaps the perfect combination of après bars. The Krazy Kangaruh or KKs as it’s more commonly known in resort has a huge terrace, more Jägermeister than you could want for and typically top 40 music mixed with Europop and traditional Austrian après hits.

It sounds like a jack of all trades, master of none, but KKs somehow strikes the perfect balance. It is one of the best après ski bars in the Alps for very good reason. There’s lots of indoor space should the snow be falling and an outdoor terrace for when the sun is shining. One tip that is worth mentioning, after a few hours of après the sensible choice is to walk to the bus stop and take the bus down to resort rather than tackling the often ungroomed piste.

4. Le Farinet, Verbier:

Right in the centre of Verbier is the Hotel Farinet and the very popular Le Farinet bar. From 4:00pm the après ski starts but it really gets going from 6:00pm when the live band comes on, every day of the season. It keeps going well into the early evening until 9:00pm, so plenty of time for fun!

At Farinet it’s a real mix of seasonaires, locals and guests, the key criteria is that you know how to have a good time. One of the more unique aspects of Le Farinet is the retractable roof perfect for opening up in sunny weather and closing when the snow comes down. 

5. La Folie Douce, Val d’Isère:

High up on the slopes above the La Daille area of the resort is La Folie Douce.  The Folie Douce started in Val d’Isère and is an iconic bar. The terrace is absolutely huge and packs out each afternoon with happy skiers and snowboarders as the house music sounds out across the surrounding slopes. 

There’s plenty of entertainment and a fun crown mainly consisting of holiday-makers rather than seasonaires. For non-skiers this can be reached by ski lift and equally if you don’t fancy the fairly lengthy ski down to La Daille afterwards then lift is a sensible choice. 

6. La Folie Douce, Val Thorens:

This iconic après ski bar provides a ‘party on top of the world’. From it’s commanding position looking over the Val Thorens valley the après ski starts early and comes to a crescendo at 5:00pm.

Each afternoon a show is put on for those on the terrace with a live saxophonist, dancing, singing and a DJ set. It’s an iconic après ski spot and one to be experienced, from the champagne spraying to the ski back down afterwards. Just one lift away or an easy blue piste down to the centre of the resort is La Folie Douce Val Thorens.

7. Le Rond Point, Méribel:

Méribel also has a Folie Douce but for those in the know ‘The Ronnie’, as Le Rond Point is more commonly known by, is the place to go. Le Rond Point is all about the terrace on sunny days and there is a fantastic space indoors for the bad weather days, either way you will find live music. The terrace is filled with tables and in the early afternoon revellers chat and have a bite to eat and a drink. 

As the afternoon progresses the band music starts and you’ll find everyone joining in with the dancing eventually. The atmosphere is fun, friendly and there’s even a slide down to the toilet. It’s also considerably more reasonably priced than its more famous rival in resort. 

8. MooserWirt, St. Anton:

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that St. Anton is the true home of après ski and the MooserWirt is the ultimate après ski bar. It’s well known as being one of the best spots in the Alps for table stomping, stein drinking and Europop dancing. This pisteside bar is just above the centre of St. Anton and can be reached on foot or on skis. 

This is what seems to be a massive converted barn set over two floors, it’s a huge indoor space which is popular for a skiers lunch but it comes into its own come 3:00pm. The lights turn down, the strobes come on and the famous DJ Gerhard comes out to play in his balcony spot perfect for those on the terrace to join in the party as well as for those indoor. 

Report to sell more beer in the five months of opening than any other bar does all year round in Austria really sets the tone of the Mooserwirt. That doesn’t mention the Williams Birne Schnapps, Jägermeister or other drinks carried spectacularly on large trays by the waiters. When the sun shines the outdoor space is huge and will be absolutely filled with merry skiers. 

9. Pano Bar, Les Deux Alpes:

High up on the slopes of Les Deux Alpes is the popular Pano Bar. Hit after hit will be blaring out the speaker system all afternoon as the DJ does his best to keep revellers entertained and does so successfully! Pano Bar is fun and lively and almost reason enough to visit Les Deux Alpes alone. 

There’s plenty of live performers assisting the DJ in creating the party ambience. It’s a somewhat consolidated après ski affair as is streamlined to just 3:00 – 5:00pm but for many that’s plenty for their afternoon après fix. There are some great views to appreciate but it is quite far up the mountain so be prepared to make sure you catch that last lift back to the resort or to ski back down.

10. Papperla Pub, Zermatt:

The Papperla Pub in Zermatt is a few minutes walk from the pedestrianised high street and a few minutes from the Klein Matterhorn gondola. Many come off the slopes and detour here for a drink before heading back to their chalet or hotel. However many do not manage to leave Papperla Pub until many hours later. 

With some fantastic live music, it’s definitely a slow burner in terms of après ski. It starts off with relaxed beers, mugs of Vin Chaud or a choice of other drinks and after a few hours it escalates into full on sing-a-long Oasis-style acoustic hits with shots to boot. The danger with Papperla Pub is that it’s a bar upstairs and has a club downstairs. With intentions of one quick beer before dinner, it’s not unknown to stumble home at 4:00am.

The common theme perhaps is that the overwhelming majority of the best après ski bars in the Alps can be found on the slopes rather than in the resort centres. However Cocorico’s, Le Farinet and Papperla Pub are the exception to the rule.

I’m sure that there will be many who would rather substitute in the Trofana Alm in Ischgl, the Loop Bar in Tignes or another of the Alps’ afternoon hotspots for some of the above. It is all down to personal preference. If you are looking for an après ski fix for the coming winter then get in touch and we’ll be happy to send you some options with plenty of après ski on the cards.