Val Thorens is not only the highest ski resort in Europe (2,300m); it’s also one of the most famous in the Three Valleys, boasting one of the best après-ski scenes in the Alps, if not the world! With everything from cosy cocktail bars to pumping clubs, it’s got something for everyone.
Its unique blend of high-altitude skiing, combined with a brilliant snow record, epic freeriding, and party-centric nightlife, all ensure that a trip to Val Thorens is completely unforgettable.
The best spots in Val Thorens
There are a wide variety of great places to hit after the day of skiing is finished (and sometimes before it is!) in Val, so let’s get into our favourite spots to grab a drink on top of the world.
The best party spot
No list of après-ski in Val Thorens would be complete without La Folie Douce. Known as the ultimate mountain party destination, and for good reason, you can expect open-air DJ sets, plenty of drinks, and an electric atmosphere. When people talk about dancing on tables at après-ski, they’re talking about La Folie Douce.
From 3 pm onwards every day, you’ll find a DJ, band, or live performer cranking up the music and the vibes here, but during the day, it’s also a great family-friendly spot for a quiet drink, evolving into a party paradise as the sun goes down.
The best live music bar
This one is a toss-up with both Le Monde and Saloon Bar taking the prize. Both of these bars are known for their DJ sets as well as live bands, often featuring local performers as well as ones from further afield. But one thing is always for sure, and that is that the atmosphere will always be bursting with energy.
Keep an eye on their socials, too, as both bars often feature special events and themed nights to get excited about, notably ‘Dutch Week’ at Le Monde, which celebrates the Dutch ski community and gets crazy. For Saloon Bar, you’ll want to hit it up for sporting events, or for the pool and darts if you want something extra with your dancing.
The best spot for an affordable drink
Val Thorens is a super popular spot for university ski clubs to head to, so if you’re in the know, it’s easy to ferret out some student-friendly pricing. Le Viking is a great choice for a chilled-out drink with some very pleasing happy hour pricing. Or you can hit up the Frog and Roastbeef, an English-themed pub-bar that touts itself as the highest in Europe.
Inside, you’ll find quaint wood panelling modelled on an old English pub, and plenty of TVs showing sports from around the world. It also has a stellar karaoke night if you’re into that kind of thing, and a good selection of beers, including Guinness on draught, if you’re missing home.
Best late-night party spot
If you’re getting kicked out of Le Monde at 2 am, you’ll be glad to know the night’s not over yet. You can head for Malaysia, the largest nightclub in the Alps. And that’s saying something! Queue at the door and then head down into the massive underground space to step into another world. Just make sure to bring your earplugs as this place gets loud.
Some of the most famous DJs around have played here, and often do throughout the winter, with the likes of Calvin Harris and Chase & Status gracing the stage. So make sure to check your dates to see if you can scoop some tickets to an unmissable show.
Best spot for a craft beer
If you’re looking for a chilled-out craft brew, then hit La Maison, which offers a stellar range of beers and local brews. This one’s not exactly a party spot, but it’s great to unwind during or after a day of skiing, to recharge, and to swap war stories from the trip.
There’s not too much to say about this one, but it’s great to keep in your back pocket for those really long days when you can’t take another terrace or DJ set. It happens to even the best of us, eventually!
Best spot for a classy drink
Sometimes your trips call for a little class, and when they do, there’s no better place to head than the Hotel Le Fitz Roy. One of Val Thorens’ most luxurious accommodation options, it has a lovely spa with a heated pool, sauna, and hammam, as well as the best massages in town, perfect for sore legs. Though, even if you’re not staying there, you can still pop in for a drink.
Step inside and you’ll find the super laid-back lounge area with a huge fireplace and a really good cocktail list. There’s nothing more relaxing than watching the snow fall outside the window while you sink into a comfy armchair and the sound of ice rattling in a cocktail shaker drifts across the room. And if that’s not reason enough to take an hour out to come here, I don’t know what is.
Best spot for something unique
Like rum? Head to Rhum Box, a super unique and cosy bar with over 30 fruit-flavoured rums to try. This is a popular spot with locals looking to escape the chaos of La Folie Douce, so expect something more chilled-out than some other hotspots.
Still, their bar staff shake excellent drinks, but don’t be surprised when the focus is on the rum; it’s sort of in the name. This is definitely somewhere to hit on those hangover days when you want to keep things a little more relaxed.
Best spot for bubbles
Head to La Cave if you like champagne. This fine wine bar serves up artisanal cheeses and charcuterie boards, too, to go with your drinks. So if you’re looking for something a little more unique, this might just hit the spot.
It’s an intimate setting and certainly isn’t likely to get the energy up for a long night of partying. But for some, shovelling down brie with a side-order of Riesling is just what the doctor ordered. And to us, it doesn’t sound half bad, either. Check it out for yourself!
Best on-mountain party spot
If you can’t wait to get down off the mountain before starting the fun, then you’ll want to hit Bar 360. Step off the slopes and into the party with its live DJ sets and a large terrace designed for dancing. With a great western view, it’s the ideal place to watch the sunset with a drink in hand.
They play a mix of electronic and dance music and this place packs out from around 3 pm when the lifts stop spinning. If you’re looking to hit the dancefloor without dropping off your ski boots, then check out Bar 360 and kick your après off right.
How to Make the Most of Your Après Sessions
Après-ski comes naturally to many, but there are some tips to help maximise your time away, and thankfully, we’ve listed the best of them below.
Choose the right time of year
If you’re looking for après-ski, then there are better times than others to visit Val Thorens. The season opening weekend is always a super lively time and everyone’s energy is at its peak with their first days back on snow. New Year’s is always fun, too, and nothing beats ringing in January 1st on Folie Douce’s terrace.
University half-term in February is when all the ski clubs will plan their trips, so expect the students to bring the party. And then, it’s the closing weekend with the longest days and warmest evenings that’ll cap off another season of madness. This is certainly not an event to be missed if the après is more important than the skiing for you.
Don’t miss happy hour
Many bars will have Happy Hour deals running from 2–5 pm or 3–5 pm, so make sure to check those out to get the most out of your wallet. A lot of bars can get pretty expensive, so hitting happy hour before dinner is a great way to offset this. Speaking of dinner …
Drinks, dinner, drinks
It’s easy to get swept up in the party and forget to eat. Planning where you’re getting dinner and when is the best choice to avoid forgetting this altogether. A lot of the time, the first DJ set or initial ‘après’ session lasts until 5 pm or 6 pm, and while the temptation to push through is always there, it’s best at this time to duck out, change, grab some food, and then head out for the evening refreshed.
Getting around Val Thorens at night
Getting around Val Thorens is pretty easy as the resort is fairly compact. Though bear in mind that the lower and upper parts of the resort are separate and that getting up and down late at night can be tricky in tough weather. There’s a free resort shuttle that does laps, though, so it’s pretty convenient to hop on and off if you know the schedule and the stops.
Après etiquette
Après-ski may seem like an ‘anything goes’ sort of thing, but it’s important to realise that once you step out of the bar or club, you’re subject to the same rules as everyone else. This means that public drunkenness is a big faux pas, and anything like vomiting, urinating, and shouting and screaming (especially late at night) is, at best, disrespectful and, at worst, illegal. So, try not to drink too much if you’re headed out to the resort after drinks.
Book in advance
Many of the spots on this list get very busy, especially during peak times, so booking a table to ensure you’re not disappointed is cut off, so heading there early to ensure you get a spot might be the right move. But it’s always worth giving a call to avoid disappointment.
Après ski in Val Thorens
There are few places in the Alps with as legendary a reputation for après-ski as Val Thorens, so if you’re looking for a resort that has skiing and partying in equal measure, then look no further.
From the terrace of La Folie Douce to the underground dance floors of Malaysia, there’s something to please everyone here, and if I know one thing about Val Thorens, it’s that they’re always up for welcoming one more person to the party.
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