Hit the ski slopes by day and party hard by night! It’s hard to believe that the concept of nightlife, aka après-ski, in the French ski resorts dates back just a few decades, but today many spots boast nightclubs, live music events, cabaret shows, winter events and music festivals.
Just thirty years ago there was no such thing as lively nightlife in any of the local ski resorts, until the likes of Val d'Isère and Val Thorens established the very first nightclubs and cabaret shows alongside their top quality restaurants. As the ski runs close up for the day, the night-time activities get underway.
The French Alps is the original and best location for a spot of après-ski festivals and adventures – after all, it’s here that’s the very first nightclub was launched with a capacity of 2,000. And in the über fashionable resorts, where you party is as important as which slopes you’re seen at. The most lively ski resorts in terms of bars and clubs are undoubtedly Val D’Isère, St François Longchamp and Les Deux Alpes, alongside others. Trendy Courchevel has live après-ski music every Friday night and Avoriaz offers its own themed après-ski club especially for teenagers. Don’t miss the full moon parties which are held in the La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie) resort and open nightclubs of the Folie Douce at Tignes and Val Thorens. For a spot of fun, check out the myriad of bars in Alpe d’Huez, which is also budget friendly.
And then of course there are the dedicated winter festivals which are held at various ski resorts across France. Check out the fourth annual Rock The Pistes Festival which runs from 26 to 30 March 2014 at the Portes du Soleil resort in the Alps. This radical music festival features both local and international music acts to entertain over five über cool nights. The 2014 lineup includes Klaxons, Babyshambles and Mass Hysteria.
Tignes holds The Brits festival for the twenty-fifth time from 30 March to 5 April 2014. Thousands gather for a week of non-stop skiing, partying and of course, awesome music. Skiiers and snowboarders of all levels will be in their element as they compete in the hotly contested Snowboard and Freeski Championships. Each night the après-ski scene comes alive with live music, renowned DJs and themed BBQs. Acts are TBC but if previous acts – Chase and Status and Pendulum – are anything to go by, it’s going to be huge!
The Hot Ice Festival takes place in fashionable Val d'Isère for an entire month from 12 April to 14 May 2014! What more can you need than some prime spring snow and a whole host of seasonal parties? Val d'Isère is also known for its yoga festival, winter golf facilities and its film festival. This year’s lineup is yet to be announced, but last year’s atmosphere is captured in the YouTube video below.
Missing the hedonistic party isle of Ibiza? Then swing by Ibiza Rocks the Snow in Méribel which runs three separate weeks of high-octane parties. Week 1 (14-21 December) featured Mistajam and Monki and the acts for week 2 (8-15 February 2014) and week 3 (29 March – 5 April 2014) will be announced soon.
