Ski holidays are more than just hitting the slopes: the apres ski is as important as the sport itself. After a hard day of gliding down mountainsides, you want somewhere luxurious and cosy where you can hang up your skis and warm your hands around a hot chocolate or a spicy cocktail.
The Alps are the best place for a luxury apres ski scene, so pack for a classy night out as well as a day on the piste. Consider the following excellent resorts when you’re choosing your next ski holiday.
Courchevel
Skiing in Courchevel is about so much more than just skiing, and the apres ski scene reflects that, with countless luxury apres ski options including live music, lively crowds and dance parties all season. The Fire and Ice bar at the foot of the piste in Moriond offers open fires on the terrace, and Supper Club at La Boulotte provides amazing food in excellent surroundings.
St Anton
St Anton am Arlberg has a reputation for having the best apres ski in the Alps, along with being a buzzing destination for high quality night life and a younger crowd of advanced skiers.
Visit the Funky Chicken for early evening drinks or Bar Cuba for a great beer selection, cocktails and live music. The Mooserwirt and the Krazy Kangaruh are on-piste and excellent for a mid-ski break.
Verbier
One of the most prestigious resorts and an excellent apres ski destination, Verbier is frequented by the ski glitterati at the luxury end of the scale.
For a break while you’re still on the slopes, The Ice Cube is located near the Ruinettes lift where you’ll find panoramic views and excellent service. At the bottom of the Mayentzet chair, 1936 provides a nice break before heading back to Verbier, with deck chairs and stoves for the perfect apres ski lounging experience. In the evening head to Farinet, with musical entertainment in the early evening and a cocktail lounge to while away the hours until the night winds down at 2am.
After a day on the mountain, you won’t want an early night, so decide what you’re looking for when you’re planning your trip. Whether you want to knock back the bubbly in a throng of fellow party-goers, or sip on cocktails and nibbles in front of a stove on a terrace, the many apres ski locations will cater for your needs.
