Best Après Ski in Europe for Groups

As the name itself reveals, après ski is a concept born and bred amongst French ski resorts before spreading to alpine hubs across the globe. There’s no denying après ski is a huge part of a ski holiday’s allure – heading to the mountains for a week of freedom from work, flying down the slopes with your mates, and dancing on tabletops to thumping Euro-pop like no one’s watching in the piste-side bars. Alps ski destinations are home to some of the best après ski in the world!

In the quest for the best après ski in Europe for groups, let’s explore the top 5 resorts known for their vibrant parties, lively bars, and sensational live music scenes. Grab your friends and get ready for an unforgettable holiday filled with the best nightlife the alpine region has to offer!

Ischgl, Austria

The Tirolean resort, Ischgl, has been coined the Ibiza of the Alps and takes partying to the next level, embracing après with unrivalled enthusiasm. Ischgl brings all your Austrian après stereotypes into full swing from the winter wonderland style wooden huts to oversized steins of beer, cheesy singalongs and waiters with huge trays of beers and shots meandering through the crowds. Ischgl has built a reputation for having top global superstars perform at the start and end of its winter season.

Not as cheap as other Austrian ski resorts, yet the prices are still a long way off the mega-resorts in France. The perfect choice for a stag or hen do!

Best Bars in Ischgl

The slope-side hut Paznauner Taja is your first port of call after a long day on the slopes to get you in the party mood. If your group is into table-top dancing and an abundance of shots, check out Schatzi, Kitzloch, Kuhstall, Niki’s Stadl and Pacha. Be sure to mark your calendars for the season-closing ‘Top of the Mountain Concert’.

The legendary Trofana Alm is the cherry on top of the Ischgl’s après scene with big beers, big crowds and loud music and is one of the best après bars in the world, let alone Europe. The Trofana Alm is a large, old wooden barn located behind the Trofana Royale Hotel on Ischgl’s main street and by 6 p.m, the hut is packed with people, sweat and plenty of schnapps.

Getting to Ischgl

We know how precious time on the slopes is, so why would you want to waste it sat in a transfer vehicle (as pleasant as our journeys are)? So, we thought you might want to know the quickest journey time to the Austrian resort.

Transfers from Innsbruck to Ischgl take approximately 1 hours 30 minutes, traffic and weather dependent.

If Innsbruck Airport isn’t a viable option for your journey, Zurich to Ischgl transfers take roughly 2 hours 45 minutes, or a transfer from Munich Airport to Ischgl will take you just over 3 hours.

Val d’Isere, France

This is one of the most famous winter resorts in France, with a very long tradition in winter tourism and of course, a solid reputation for lively après ski. With more than 300 km of pistes and many off pistes opportunities, this place is great for advanced and intermediate skiers.

With bars and clubs aplenty, Val d’Isere ski resort has a brilliant and upmarket after-dark appeal, but, this comes at a cost. The bars and nightclubs aren’t cheap, some with entry fees and special ticket events for bigger-named DJs. This resort is great for larger groups and stag and hen dos on a bigger budget. It’s not just the après-ski that’s pricey – everything from ski and lift passes to the centrally located hotels are expensive. 

Best Bars in Val d’Isere

There are a few bars in particular that you can’t afford to miss. La Folie Douce is the most famous bar there and the buzz starts around 3pm, just be sure to catch the last ski lift down. Folie Douce has performers who dance, play instruments, perform circus tricks and generally form a massive mountainside party every afternoon. 

Dick’s Tea Bar is another well-known name on the après ski scene. Head down to the town centre to see top DJ’s keeping the dancefloor full until 5am. Other good spots are Cocorico for live music on the piste-side, the Fall Line bar, Bananas for happy hour between 7-8pm, La Petit Danois and the Doudoune Nightclub.

Quickest Transfer Routes Val d’Isere

You can get a private airport transfer to the resort from most major European airports, but the question here is… what is the FASTEST route you can take?

Transfers from Grenoble to Val d’Isere will cost you approximately 2 hours 40 minutes of precious slope time, and Chambery to Val d’Isere transfers will take between 2 hours and 2 hours 40 minutes, depending on traffic and weather conditions on the day.

St Anton, Austria

When it comes to après-ski, another big name on the scene is St Anton ski resort. Austria is the birthplace of skiing and St Anton is the king of slopeside parties.

The resort consistently tops international lists for the best après ski and for good reason. Partying is a lifestyle there, with the piste-side ski bars kicking off well before the lifts close. It’s a huge ski area attracting adventurous ski groups who party as hard as they ski.

Best Bars in St Anton

Krazy Kangaruh and Mooserwirt are the famed open-air bars with pumping music and stein after stein of beer. At the base of the slopes, you’ll find Basecamp – a buzzing spacious umbrella bar with plenty of live music.

If you’re looking for something a little different to table dancing in your ski boots, you can’t beat the Underground. It’s a fun-filled evening of fondue, wine, song and maracas!

Transfer Times to St Anton

If you’re flying into Innsbruck, you’re in luck. Transfers from Innsbruck Airport to St Anton take a mere 1-hour, meaning you’ll be on the slopes before you know it. Talk about a quick and easy start to your alpine adventure!

For those landing at Zurich Airport, transfers to St Anton from Zurich will take a cool 2 hours and 15 minutes, whereas transfers from Munich to St Anton – and Salzburg Airport – both take approximately 3 hours.

So, whether it’s a swift one-hour dash or a bit more leisurely scenic route, our fleet of vehicles offers comfort and there’s plenty of breathtaking view points along the way!

You may also like: Which Alps Resorts are Reopening this Season: 2021/22?

Val Thorens, France

The highest resort in Europe – Val Thorens – is home to Europe’s highest open-air club and that’s only the beginning of the après scene here. A host of luxury hotels and residences have brought the party up a notch, becoming one of the favourite après spots in France.

Best Bars in Val Thorens

The Folie Douce, high up above the town, is where the party starts with stunning views down the valley. It’s a smaller Folie than the likes of Val d’Isere, but this only makes it even livelier with the party spilling out onto the slopes above. The après ski scene can carry on until the early hours if you head to Malaysia, the largest underground club the mountains have to offer.

The Frog and Roast Beef is the highest pub in Europe and is a lively destination straight off the slopes, but, no après-ski afternoon is complete without a classic singalong in the popular Danish bar and party hub of Val Thorens, Cafe Snesko.

Transfer Routes to Val Thorens

Lyon to Val Thorens transfers take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes and Geneva to Val Thorens transfers will take around 2 hours and 40 minutes. However, if you’re looking to get there pronto, your best bet is to fly into Chambery Airport!

Transfers from Chambery to Val Thorens are a speedy 1 hour 40 minute ride away… quick, efficient, and straight to the snowy adventures!

Meribel, France

Meribel Three Valleys resort is huge amongst British skiers and snowboarders, so if you want a home-from-home party atmosphere with the bonus of mountains on your doorstep, this is the après ski destination for you!

Best Bars in Meribel

The Rond Point is a popular mountain bar located on the main piste into Meribel. Meribel’s Rond Point – also known as the Ronnie – is a world-class après ski institution and has been drawing in crowds for decades with its toffee vodka, live bands and loud DJ sets. Its sister venue is the O’Sullivans Club, where you’ll find drinks deals and themed funk, soul and disco nights. This sun terrace bar at 1,600 metres has spectacular views that should not be missed. 

Le Pub is another great bar that is perfect for Meribel Town Centre Chalets. The Pub is the most spacious and one of the liveliest bars in town. It also offers special promotion nights and regular happy hours. You can play pool, watch any big live sporting event or just dance the night away on toffee vodka.

At Alps2Alps, our Alps ski transfers are a safe and welcoming option for all of our customers. For groups of 4 or more, Alps2Alps is the best transfer option for you – book now to receive a 10% discount!