Three French Ski Resorts With Sizzling Après-Ski *

*This is a collaborative post.

Skiing is all well and good (who doesn’t like whizzing down pristine powder slopes with the sun on their back?) but if you like to mix your snowsports with socialising, you’ll need to choose a resort where the après-ski is as pulsating as the pistes.

For our money, the Gallic charm and authentic culture of the French Alps ski resorts make them some of the world’s best and most blend contemporary and traditional Alpine ambience brilliantly.

If you’re shortlisting snowsports resorts where you can really let your hair down, you’re in luck  ̶  we’ve carefully collated the following useful list of three French ski resorts with sizzling après-ski.

Chamonix

Perched in the mountains just north of Mont Blanc, Chamonix (or ‘Cham’ to the ski set) was the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and its legendary status has grown ever since.

The nightlife here is lively and varied  ̶  for instance, Moö has a friendly and welcoming ambience and the only self-serve beer tap of any pub in the resort, while Chambre Neuf in the Gustavia Hotel is always buzzing with locals and visitors alike and hosts live music most nights.

Tip: try pirate-themed bar Barberousse Chamonix if you like swashbuckling sessions where the rum-based cocktails aargh great!

Alpe d’Huez

Located 1860m high in the Oisans Valley of the Central French Western Alps, Alpe d’Huez is a stunning high-altitude resort which receives an average of 300 days of sunshine per year.

If you’re stopping for a mid-afternoon snack and beer, Sphere bar has a roomy terrace which is a great place to catch some rays and people watch, but for a lively night, the iconic Smithy’s Tavern in the middle of the old town is a must  ̶  discounted beer, shots and cocktails keep things lively, there’s live music or DJ soundtrack and the Tex-Mex food is fab. Finally, when Smithy’s shuts at 2AM, simply pop downstairs to L’Igloo night club where you can party ‘til 4am!

Tip: ski travel agency Erna Low can help you create a customised Alpe d’Huez holiday which maximises your fun.

Val Thorens

Val Thorens is another high-altitude snow-sure resort which attracts a youthful crowd, so as you’d expect, the nightlife is excellent.

La Folie Douce is an Alpine institution and claims to be Europe’s highest open-air club  ̶  its cabaret-style entertainment and high-energy soundtrack attract revellers by the bucketload, and the house special is toffee vodka. Alternatively, Bar 360 is located right on the piste and is one of the most popular clubs with the younger crowd  ̶  its expansive terrace is usually packed, happy hour is 4-6PM and it offers live music and DJ sets until the wee small hours.

Tip: Serious clubbers shouldn’t miss Alpine superclub Le Malaysia ̶  this famous nightclub has featured DJs like Afrojack, Calvin Harris and Chase & Status in past seasons.

Choose any one of these French Alps ski resorts and you’ll be blown away by the awesome après-ski  ̶  cheers!