April = Apres Ski extravaganza, our guide to Val d'Isere's best bars
While other resorts are in shut down, here in Val d'Isere we're revving up for the real party to start! With an amazing base of snow and blue skies all the way, we're enjoying long cruisy days winding up with an alpine boogie in one of our favourite apres-ski bars. 4-6pm are the magic happy hours and here are our favourite apres-ski hot spots to choose from, whether it's a hard core party you're after or more of a relaxing tipple in the sunshine:
1/ La Folie Douce
Best for out and out partying
Predictable perhaps, but no apres-ski round-up in Val d'Isere could be complete without it. And no trip to Val d'Isere should end without a trip there either. Think technobeats, flouro suits and dancing on the tables. You probably know that. You might not know that the After Party is in Café Face J
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2/ Café Face
The one to go to for a low key hang out
This place offers a whole different pace. If the Folie is the raging extravert, Café Face is more of an intimate affair. Just off the slopes near Bananas, Café Face offers good live music in more of a cosy venue, best experienced after 6. It's also a great late night bolt hole.
3/ Cocorico
If Indie music moshing is your thing
Cocorico gives the Folie a run for its money, where dancing on the tables is concerned, but it's more of an Indie vibe than DJ beats. Think Killers, Razorlight, Kaiser Chief... Keep an eye on their Facebook page and they'll tell you who's playing when. We are particularly partial to Thursdays from 3 to 4pm when the Dominoes play. And don't miss the toffee vodka.
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4/ Coin des Amis
Best for mingling with the locals
Bang slap in the heart of Val d'Isere, there's a reason Coin des Amis is the go to bar for local ski instructors. It's small and unpretentious with a great set of optics. Go steady on the shots! Outdoor heaters and seating make it pleasant to hang out outside and it's definitely the place to go if you want to get in with the locals.
5/ Moris Pub
Best of British
Not for the fainthearted, Moris goes off like no other! This bar tends to host a younger crowd, almost entirely British and deadly serious about apres-ski. Music wise, the bands from Cocorico play there on alternative nights so naturally it has an Indy, Brit Pop sound track. Expect sticky floors and lots of noise!
6/ Victors
For a funky, more edgy apres-ski experience
Swedish owned and run, Victors is a more stylish affair with beautiful staff serving beautiful drinks. The ambiance is distinctly less rowdy and cocktails the order of the day, which are 2 for 1 in happy hour. Music is provided by a DJ who, in classic Nordic style, is dubbed the Good Mood Manager.
7/ Petit Danois
The perfect all rounder
Another Scandi haunt, this is more party than funky, which must be in part due to the Red Eric Beer. Watch out – it's potent. Set back off the road, the Petit Danois is a great all rounder, without the Brits abroad feel. Live music is more of a ‘The Voice' style, fronted by the mellow tones of local lady, Karen Ysten. There's a pool table and backgammon to provide added entertainment.
8/ Bananas
The authentic, unashamedly unflash pub
Bananas is the one right at the bottom of the main Val d'Isere area, that resembles a wooden beach hut and looks like it's been there forever. It has! But don't be put off. Bananas is a good haunt for a nice quick, chilled pint of beer. It may not be fancy or flash, but the terrace is sunny, it's warm inside and it's small enough to keep the party manageable!
9/ La Rosee Blanche (La Daille)
The people watchers' choice
At the foot of OK and Orange, La Rosee Blanche is a friendly, roaring log fire, relaxed, have a good chat type of place. It's where you go to escape the madness while enjoying some great people watching, the skiers tackling the last slope of the day and dissecting their day's antics as they brake parallel to a halt. There's no live music and no dancing on the tables. Instead it's buzzing with chat and the perfect spot to remind yourself what ski-ing's all about.
Enjoy. And if you find any other great apres-ski spots, let us know so we can add them into the mix.
Team Chardon