Make the most of your Weekend Skiing Break with great nightlife
Chamonix
If you're searching for some great nightlife to compliment your weekend skiing break, look no further. Chamonix has a buzzing après ski scene that is developing a reputation to match that of the excellent skiing.
Being a town with a traditional yet cosmopolitan atmosphere, it's no wonder Chamonix can offer après ski to suit all tastes. With any weekend skiing break, it's important to have fun, and there's no shortage of that here. Options vary from venues which cater for the party crowd who want to carry on drinking late into the night - to more intimate establishments which welcome those wishing to swap cosy ski stories in more chilled out surroundings with good food. There's even a casino!
Aside from the fantastic slopes, it's the range of things to do after a hard day's skiing that makes a weekend skiing break at Chamonix so special. You'll never be found wanting for things to do with a short ski break here.
The most direct après ski in Chamonix usually consists of a few drinks in the town centre bars where in Spring you'll find the outdoor tables full of skiers. The Café la Terrasse is a nice place to stop for a drink on the way back to base from the slopes! It offers a perfect chance to relax and meet up alongside stunning views of Mont Blanc - often with live music.
The entire pedestrianised street of Rue du Molin is host to an array of bars and restaurants with many run by British ex-pats. Recommended bars include the Irish Coffee, the Brasserie du Rond Point and the Chamouny. Directly opposite the train station at the Gustavia hotel you'll find Chambre 9 (or Chambre Neuf!) another popular après ski hang-out - often host to guest DJ's and live music.
For more straightforward bars head to Mill Street and the Bumble Bee. If you simply must have your daily fix of Guinness, a cosy and friendly spot is the O'Byrne Pub, which is situated on Rue du Lyret.
Other main players include The Expedition a small cosy bar with a great chill out area and The Queen Vic pub (no, not that one!) with the obligatory pool tables, TV screens and Beamish on tap!
Dick's Tea Bar is renowned for its themed parties (fancy dress, beach etc!) and a buzzing crowd.
Nightlife aficionados have an array of choice. For live music check out Arbat or the Blue. Bar du Moulin and Bar'd Up occasionally feature live music as well. Some of the main meeting spots are the Choucas Video Bar (with its squishy sofas - great for late night partying without the big dance club feel) and Driver which always guarantees a packed crowd.
For serious party animals check out the Irish influenced Jeckl and Hyde, the Ice Rock Café, Cantina and the latest hot-spot Wild Wallabies Bar - a British and Scandinavian mix. Other bars include Privilege, TOF and BPM.
If gambling is your scene the casino in Chamonix is situated downtown and a dress jacket and tie are essential.
Quite simply, there are so many places to visit on a weekend skiing break at Chamonix. Find more information online on skiing & snowboarding in Chamonix.
Alternative Ski & Snowboarding Resorts with the Best Nightlife :
Nightlife in Alpe d'Huez
Alpe D'Huez also provdes a great venue for a weekend skiing break. You'll find a lively nightlife scene here with a wide range of bars, live music and nightclubs to choose from alongside both excellent skiing and boarding.
Check out the Roadhouse situated in the Vallée Blanche hotel, the Little Avalanche Bar, Benji's, Cactus for some serious tequila slamming! and The Underground Bar located at the hotel Chamois.
Other popular haunts include the Yeti where the live bands make for a top night out! The Pacific (sister bar to the one in Val d'Isère) and the Apples & Pears. You'll also find more great live bands at The Sporting.
For a quieter alternative head to the Hermitage hotel where you'll find The Crowded House, a more relaxed atmosphere and a pool table. The Zoo is another popular alternative along with the Dutch run Melting-Pot (which also boasts a mean tapas!).
Nightclubs include The Stage One and the Igloo.
Find more information online on skiing & snowboarding in Alpe d'Huez.
Nightlife in Méribel
Méribel offers a great range of bars for some serious après ski action! Head to the Rond Point direct from the slopes where happy hour starts at 4pm. There is also the sun terrace at Jacks which is a popular choice.
The bars around the main square always offer a great atmosphere. Try The Pub or Scott's (with late dancing) which are always buzzing with a great crowd. The Taverne is also another packed favourite.
For a more chilled out mini bar crawl head to Le Poste, Le Refuge and La Taverne which are all a few steps from one another.
Méribel now has a version of the famous Dick's Tea Bar staying open until 4am and guaranteeing a great party atmosphere.
Find more information online on skiing & snowboarding in Meribel.
Best Nightlife in Val d'Isere
For many, Val d'Isére is considered to be the world's best ski destination and coupled with neighbouring Tignes forms the 'Espace Killy' ranging from 1550m to 3456m in altitude.
Val is a firm favourite amongst the affluent, the 20-somethings, the big ski enthusiasts, and is popular with the Scandinavians, The British, and of course the French with its vibrant and varied après ski scene amongst its highlights.
Ranking highly amongst the most popular happy hours between 4-7pm are Moris Pub or Dick's Tea Bar - which turns to the town's main disco later in the evening. Also worth a check are Bananas, Café Face, The Pacific, Boubou and Bar Jacques. The young crowd head to Perdrix Blanche after skiing and the Taverne d'Alsace offers rustic surroundings and quieter après ski for a slightly older crowd.
Popular Scandinavian haunts include Victors and Petit Danois, and if you fancy keeping up with the French check out the fairly new on the scene Le Graal disco.
Find more information online on skiing & snowboarding in Val d'Isere.
Best Nightlife in Courcheval
Courcheval is made up of 4 villages at varying altitudes including 1550, 1650, 1850 and Le Praz (1300). If you are looking for nightlife variety Courcheval 1850 is thought by most to be the best bet.
A fabulous place to star-spot amongst other activities 1850 has exclusive clubs and bars such as the Caves and Kalico, also popular for a spot of dancing is Le Grange. This said the resort can be pricey. 1650 also has its fair share of Après ski bars, but 1300 and 1550 tend to be much quieter 0and more suited to family groups.
You'll have a great time here on a weekend skiing break.
If you fancy a night away from the bustling clubs and bars, there are two decent cinemas both showing English speaking films at 1650 and 1800.
Find more information online on skiing & snowboarding in Courchevel.
Best Nightlife in Pas de la Casa
Situated right by the French border, Pas de la Casa is the highest (and sunniest) resort in the Pyrenees, boasting an excellent snow record with a good range of skiing.
The resort also offers an excellent range of shops, restaurants, bars, cafés and the liveliest nightlife with a varied selection of pubs, bars and clubs - all with great duty-free prices!
Because of the low prices, the après ski is incredibly lively! All the top nightspots are within walking distance from one another (perfect for pub crawls!) with the Marseilles, Milwaukee and The Underground proving to be the most popular bars. If you fancy clubbing then hit The Billboard.
Find more information online on skiing & snowboarding in Pas de la Casa.
