20 Best Ski Resorts for Après & Nightlife

You’ve spent a day on the powder, you’re feeling king or queen of the mountain, and now it’s time for the serious business of après ski.

It’s no secret that I pretty much live for the ski season. And sure, I love the skiing – but the après is what makes the experience.

Sipping an Aperol spritz from a lively bar on the side of the mountain is my idea of heaven.

Après is a huge part of what makes a skiing holiday memorable and fun. From piste-side bars to life in the town, the best nightlife ski resorts in the world are spread across Europe and the US.

So whether you’re after Euro-pop and cheesy salopette dancing, or fondue with gluhwein or beer, here are the best après ski resorts in Europe and the world.

Sliding from Andorra to Austria, from France to Switzerland, and then jumping the mogul over to the US and Canada, I’ve got your snow holiday nightlife covered.

I’ve grouped the resorts below by region, so you can jump straight to wherever you’re headed.

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👀 At a glance: best ski resorts for après by vibe

Not every resort on this list has the same kind of après scene. Here’s how I’d group them by the kind of night you’re after.

Dubbed the highest party town in the Alps, Val Thorens sometimes falls prey to being the poor relation of nearby Courchevel and Méribel.

However, overlook Val Thorens at your peril. It frequently makes it onto lists of the top 10 après ski resorts in Europe for good reason.

I remember spending my university ski trip here and it certainly lived up to its party reputation. That said, if, like me, you’re now well past your uni days, I’d recommend avoiding the weeks when the universities are there.

From mid-afternoon, the crowds gather at La Folie Douce, where DJs set the slopes pumping. Yes, you’ll have to ski back down, but that’s half the fun.

Once your boots are stowed for the night, Café Snesko is party central – expect to witness the ceiling and bar set on fire.

Or The Frog and Roast Beef is the highest pub in Europe, if you fancy a more convivial affair.

Have a read of my Val Thorens ski resort guide for more information about this popular party resort.

Another of the best French après ski resorts is, of course, Val d’Isère. It’s glamorous and it will eat a hole in your pocket.

But it’s brilliant fun, with somewhere new to try every night. Here again you should check out La Folie Douce, the original of these piste-central party huts. This time, you can take the gondola down if you’d rather not ski after a few drinks.

The town is bursting with pubs and bars such as Le Petit Danois and the very-French The Underground.

English-speaking crowds then tend to party the night away at the club that’s somewhat confusingly named Dick’s Tea Bar.

👉 Discover more of the highest ski resorts in France.

As one of the best ski resorts in Europe, Chamonix draws some of the most hardcore skiers in the world – and it turns out these souls like to party too.

Chamonix may be famous for its slopes, but don’t underestimate its nightlife. There’s always a buzz here, with bars spilling out onto the streets.

Chambre Neuf, which sits underneath Hotel Gustavia, is a popular spot. Wend your way down Rue du Moulin, ducking and diving into different wine bars, or know that Folie Douce has also moved into Chamonix.

Despite being a magnet for avid skiers, Chamonix is also one of the best ski resorts for non-skiers, offering plenty to do alongside its lively social scene.

For great skiing and a great after party, head to Les Deux Alpes.

At 3pm, while you’re still up on the slopes, head to the Pano Bar near the Jandri mid-station for eclectic entertainment ranging from balloon sculptors to sax players.

There’s often a pretty wild vibe at Pano, so if you prefer something a little more chilled, Diable au Coeur is a bit less intense.

Back in the village, a great evening kicks off at Le Saloon, once known as Smokey Joe’s. You can stay put or head onto any of the fabulous bars along the main street, such as Red Frog, Secret Bar or the Polar Bear Club.

Tignes has long been overshadowed by its sister Val d’Isère, but it’s a brilliant spot in the Alps for its nightlife.

Indeed, if Val d’Isère is starting to wear thin for you due to the crowds, simply head to Tignes and you’ll fall back in love with the area.

When you’re ready to pop off the skis for the day, start out at somewhere like The Marmot Arms or Loop Bar. Once the night is well underway, take your pick from one of the nightclubs.

To experience Tignes at its best for après ski, make sure you’re there for New Year’s Eve, with its mammoth fireworks extravaganza.

🇦🇹 Best après ski resorts in Austria

In St Anton the vibe is ski hard and party harder. Of course, St Anton isn’t just popular for the slopes – it’s also one of the best ski resorts in Austria for nightlife.

Expect vibrantly busy bars and clubs as you party alongside Austrians, Germans, Brits and Dutch.

I can guarantee you a riotous experience at Krazy Kanguruh or Mooserwirt just off the piste. If you’re still sober enough, you’ll be mesmerised by beer servers balancing double-decker trays of drinks on icy ground.

👉 Did you know that it’s possible to reach St Anton by train from the UK? Have a read of this guide to the best ski train holidays – written by two experts on the subject.

The Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area in Austria is one of the best ski resorts for beginners. But it’s also home to one of my absolute favourite places for après ski: the Nederhütte.

The après here is world-renowned and you’re guaranteed an entertaining afternoon and evening. Get the schnapps flowing, dance on the tables in your ski boots, and sing along to all your favourite cheesy hits. There’s no place quite like it.

If you’ve had one too many gluhwein, I’d recommend hitching a lift on a skidoo rather than risking a drunken ski injury.

It’s worth noting that Obergurgl doesn’t have a huge array of bars and après spots – but I had to include it in this list because of the Nederhütte.

The Gurgl area is also next door to the lively ski town of Sölden for an après alternative. Read my review of staying at Das Central Hotel in Sölden.

👉 Both Obergurgl-Hochgurgl and Sölden are two of the highest ski resorts in Austria – perfect for a snow-sure getaway – as well as one of the best Austrian ski resorts for beginners.

Come to Ischgl for an upmarket always-pumping party town which just happens to also be a ski resort.

The Trofana Alm is often considered the place to be. It’s cheesy but fun, and the place to show off your ski-boot-clad dad dancing moves. The Schatzi Bar and Kuhstall are also popular.

Another Austrian resort I love that’s bursting with Austrian charm is Mayrhofen.

Popular in the Zillertal area for a diverse range of après ski choices, from chilled-out pubs and restaurants through to lively bars and clubs.

Find a classic Austrian party vibe at Brück n Stadl or check out The Scotland Yard Pub if you want to sing along to the tunes.

Of course, luxury ski resort Verbier has long been one of the best ski resorts in Europe for après ski.

With a reputation for fabulous nights and a location in Switzerland, you can expect to feel it in the pocket. There’s quite an après ski culture of chasing the happy hours here, and that just makes it even more fun.

Pub Mont Fort is a must-do, and you’ll be guaranteed good times at Farinet Bar too. At Farinet, they open the roof if the dancing makes things too hot, and there’s something seriously magical about partying indoors with the snow falling outside.

👉 Discover more of the best ski resorts in Switzerland.

St Moritz is fabulously famous for its stylish après ski. As one of the best luxury ski resorts in Europe, it’s the place for winding down from the slopes with sophistication and elegance.

Ski huts abound and you’ll never run out of a place to quench your thirst. Great après ski spots to enjoy in St Moritz include Sternbar Marguns, where you can literally ski up and drink – you can’t quite beat sipping on a glass of Champagne here.

Another fun option is Alto Bar, where cable cars have been converted into a bar. RooBar is a really happening place to be, and perhaps the most legendary spot in St Moritz.

For a similar resort, check out alternative Swiss resort Zermatt – another of my all-time favourite ski resorts, and equally a luxury ski destination.

👉 Have a read of my review of the Grand Hotel Kronenhof near St Moritz or discover more of the best ski hotels in Europe.

🇮🇹 Best après ski resorts in Italy

Pull yourself away from the slopes and the shops in Livigno and you’ll find it’s also one of the best Italian ski resorts for après ski.

There are a staggering 150 bars to choose from here, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

I’d recommend heading to Bait dal Ghat for pizza and your first drink free, before a night in places such as Daphne’s Pub or Arimo Livigno.

Undoubtedly one of the best ski resorts in Italy for nightlife is Selva.

Before you come down off the slopes, head to Piz Seteur, where you’ll find go-go dancers alongside vistas that are truly awe-inspiring.

You can then move onto La Stua, particularly if they’ve got one of their live music nights going on.

Once you’re ready to really get your night underway, it’s a must-do to head to Luislkeller, which won the accolade of Best Après Ski Bar in the Alps with a Skiarea Test gong.

Another of the best ski resorts in Italy, at least where nightlife is concerned, is Cortina. It must be – after all, Absolut named a cocktail after it.

Cortina is posh. Amongst all the gorgeous boutiques and fancy eateries, you’ll also find some gloriously swanky places for après ski.

Bear in mind this is Italy, so après ski starts with coffee and cake (try Pasticceria Alvera) before heading onto wine bars like Enoteca.

The evening really starts to get cracking at Bar LP26, where nibbling on prosciutto is a must. Then finish off the night in a club such as Bilbo.

Cortina is my top choice for classy après.

You’ll find Sauze d’Oulx in the incredible Milky Way ski area that spans over the Italian border into France.

Sauze d’Oulx is popular for great skiing but also plentiful cheap beer. It’s gaining quite a reputation as one of the best nightlife ski resorts, based on more than a long-standing name alone.

As you finish on the slopes and head back to town, be sure to stop off at Ghost. If you don’t get stuck having a great time there, move on to Miravallino for some stomach-lining fare.

There’s often live music here to create a party vibe. Osteria dei Vagabondi is a popular bar and nightclub for later on.

If you want a distinctly different and more intimate night, hire a glass igloo at the K2 hotel.

🇦🇩 🇧🇬 Best après ski resorts in Andorra & Bulgaria

Andorra is continuing to grow as a destination for fun and affordable skiing trips. With cheap beer on tap, expect a young vibe and some heavy partying night after night.

I went here with some friends back in my university days, primarily because it was cheap. I do have a very clear memory of being one of the only women in the vicinity – so bear in mind that this resort seems to attract big groups of lads looking for beer, beer… and beer.

Coll Blanc (which frankly looks like a spaceship landed expertly on a rocky outcrop) doesn’t just offer fabulous views, but also starts its party from about 4pm onwards.

Pas 83 gets consistently good reviews and is known for dishing out free drinks when you use them for your ski hire.

Bansko is growing in popularity as a fabulous ski resort. It’s also fast gaining a reputation as an après hotspot.

Skiers and snowboarders in Bansko know how to party hard, and the resort caters for the party lifestyle well.

A classic and atmospheric bar to frequent is The Happy End. Amigos is popular too, and The Lions Pub draws big crowds.

Oxygen, looking somewhat like a snow cave, is the place to dance the night away. I’d recommend a ski trip to Bansko if you’re there for the partying over the skiing.

🇨🇦 🇺🇸 Best après ski resorts in North America

Whistler is such a fabulous place to ski or board, but it’s also mighty fine when it comes to the nightlife too.

Indeed, I’d rate it as one of the best ski resorts in the world for après ski, which is saying something given that we have the whole of Europe on our doorstep.

Expect open air terraces, live music and hearty food alongside straightforward fun.

A few favourites for a good night are the Longhorn Saloon, Merlin’s (check out the nachos) and The Brewhouse.

Vail offers a seriously impressive ski area that has something for every ability.

Given the resort’s popularity, it’s no wonder that it also boasts a number of fabulous après spots.

The Red Lion is an iconic bar and a place to jostle up against other partygoers listening to the in-house singer.

Or stop by Los Amigos in Vail Village for a margarita while watching the skiers and snowboarders slide down the slopes.

If you’re craving some classic bar food, head to Garfinkel’s: think chicken wings, burgers and nachos. For something more sophisticated, Vail also has a number of fine dining restaurants.

🇯🇵 Japan

If you’ve not skied in Japan, you’re missing out on some unique and wonderfully different après ski.

The resort of Niseko has quite a Western feel, meaning bars and nightclubs are really taking root here.

Hirafu is a popular party spot. But if you want something more traditional, seek out the traditional izakaya bars – Bar Gyu will make you welcome.

🗺️ Map of the best ski resorts for après and nightlife

Use my map below to see where the best ski resorts for après and nightlife are located.

⛷️ FAQs

Which ski resort has the best après ski nightlife?

It depends what you’re after. Val Thorens, St Anton and Ischgl are consistently among the liveliest. Val Thorens for slope-side dancing at La Folie Douce, St Anton for legendary bars like the Krazy Kanguruh and Mooserwirt, and Ischgl for the full-on party atmosphere at the Trofana Alm.

Which resort has the most affordable après ski?

Bansko and Pas de la Casa offer the best value, with cheap beer and a young, high-energy crowd throughout the day and into the evening.

Which ski resorts are best for a more sophisticated après scene?

St Moritz, Verbier and Cortina d’Ampezzo suit those after Champagne and cocktails rather than dancing on tables. Think stylish bars, piano lounges and gorgeous views over raucous parties.

What time does après ski usually start?

Most resorts get going from around 3pm to 4pm, as the lifts close and skiers come down from the mountain, though slope-side spots like Val Thorens’ La Folie Douce can start even earlier during peak season.

Do I need a visa for these resorts as a US citizen?

No, not for a short ski trip. The European resorts on this list sit in the Schengen Area, so US passport holders get up to 90 days visa-free. Whistler and Niseko have their own straightforward visa-waiver equivalents for short stays. Vail needs nothing extra at all, since it’s in the US.

🎿 Planning your ski trip

Wherever you end up, remember that the skiing is only half the story – some of my favourite memories from these resorts happened long after the lifts had closed.

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