Winning tip: The White Lounge, Mayerhofen, Austria
The White Lounge is a six-metre-high candlelit igloo and the perfect place to chill out or party. It’s pure kitsch: there are cosy insulated rooms and a huge dance floor where waiters skate around serving drinks. Outside there’s a tanning terrace with deck chairs and great sunset views. You can even stay the night if the vibe becomes too full-on.
mayrhofner-bergbahnen.com
Foxthecox
The Drop Inn, Le Praz, Courchevel, France
Friendly and unpretentious, this place will keep you smiling after a day on the slopes. The pool table is extremely popular, as are Tapas Tuesdays (free tapas) and live music nights. There is also a quiz night and other great offers. It has everything covered – from hot drinks and cake at tea time to chilled-out early-evening vibes.
pleisure.co.uk
SophieJTaylor
Trofana Alm bar, Ischgl, Austria
This is the perfect après-ski cocktail, mixing Italian style and Germanic atmosphere. A giant nodding bear greets you, before friendly waiters carrying huge trays of drinks make you feel welcome. All styles of music blast away until happy hour ends at 7pm, when the place transforms into a candlelit restaurant for couples, friends and families.
trofana-royal.at
nicolletta
Nederhütte, Obergurgl, Austria
This bar rocks – even my usually quiet wife was dancing on the tables! What a place: the music is wild, the atmosphere electric. But if it’s all too much, a snowcat will take you back down to the village.
nederhuette.at
ID1750387
Le Vagabond, Chamonix, France
A Chamonix institution, the Vaga attracts almost as many visitors to the picturesque valley town as Mont Blanc itself. Sit in the beer garden and marvel at the beauty of Europe’s highest peak while sharing stories of the day’s adventures. Unrivalled hospitality and a hint of magic prevail. Good food too.
gitevagabond.com
artimuspie
Roo Bar, St Moritz, Switzerland
Come for the vitamin C (apple juice and Grand Marnier) and homemade glühwein. With a good mix of locals and visitors, this is one of the few bars with a relaxed feel among all the ritzy lounges. The music is joval and the people laid-back.
hotelhauser.ch
mashanyc
Downstairs at Eric’s, Breckenridge, USA
It’s all about the chicken wings. Eric’s is great after your last run. No attitude, just beer and chicken wings, sport on big TVs, lots of people and no-frills decor. It became our go-to spot every day.
downstairsaterics.com
MaiZing
The Mooserwirt, St Anton, Austria
Men with bulging biceps, check shirts and lederhosen stride around with trays held high, laden with beers and shots. Jägerbombs, Hot Widows and weissbier are all within easy reach as you are already up on the tables dancing to Schlager music. It is frenzied. And awesome.
mooserwirt.at
Eurotash
Bruno’s Bar, Champoluc, Italy
Bruno’s Bar is your last chance to grab a beer on the slopes before heading to town. Legend has it the owner named the bar after an unfortunate hunting trip. During the safety briefing, the landowner asked the hunters not to shoot the company’s mascot – Bruno the wild boar – only to shoot it himself, by mistake. Bruno is now on display, half outside the building and half in.
Antonio Fersini
Le Rond Point, Méribel, France
Known as the “Ronnie”, it features a huge outdoor terrace, with chunky picnic tables and an awesome beer and hot food bar – the sweet chilli noodles with beef were a favourite of mine last season, served in a carton with chopsticks. Combine that with mountain views and a pitcher of Amstel while you overlook the slopes. When the clock strikes 5pm live music kicks off the après-ski. Fun covers bands play most nights – don’t miss The Elements, the best band on the Alps circuit.
alpine-bars.com
Jemma Richards
