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The Best Courchevel Apres Ski Bars For An Epic Party

Looking for the best apres ski bars in Courchevel? From La Folie Douce to seasonaire hang outs, Courchevel has it all

So you want to know the best apres ski spots in Courchevel?

Well, the best way to find the party in Courchevel is to go where the ski instructors party. The guys and gals that party as hard as they ski.

Wherever you finish your ski day on the mountain you’re never far away from live music, dancing on tables, a magnum of rosé, DJ sets, or simply a quiet spot to relax.

Keep reading to find out where to apres ski in Courchevel and The Three Valleys.


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La Folie Douce

Folie Douce Courchevel Apres Ski

You’ll hear it before you see it. La Folie Douce is the ultimate apres ski spot, an unmissable experience for anyone who visits Courchevel.

It’s famous for putting on some of the world’s most amazing parties high up on the slopes.

Perching on the mountainside between Courchevel and Meribel, there’s nothing quite like it with a unique mix of experiences.

Folie Douce combines positive energies and brings generations closer to a simple vision: “have fun and enjoy. Everywhere and every second, there is happiness”

Live DJs, open-air clubbing, daily shows all surrounded by the awe-inspiring mountain landscape.


VIP Slopeside Apres Ski

Caphorn Apres Ski Courchevel

If you’re looking for some early afternoon VIP spots right on the slopes then you’re spoilt for choice.

You can stop for a long lunch at slopeside restaurants like Caphorn, Mangeoire Ski Club, Chalet de Pierres or Bagatelle and after a few glasses of wine, you’ll see the sunny decks turn into lively parties as the afternoon kicks in.

Enjoy elevated dining experiences and afternoon celebrations from all these locations surrounded by 360 views of sparkling snow-capped mountains.

Just remember, you might have to ski down before the sunsets once you’re done!


The Seasonaire Hangouts

Want to find the places where your chalet host and ski instructor really sneak off to?

Le Pelican

Location: 1650

Pelican bar exterior during apres ski

Le Pelican (formerly La Boulotte) is a cracker of a bar in Courchevel 1650. It’s always been known for raucous apres with 3 live music sessions a week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Finish your day leisurely skiing the mellow sunny slopes in 1650 before carving down the blue run into town. Unclip your skis and head straight down the small slope into the village. Turn left and you’ll immediately arrive at the bar. Throw your skis on the rack and head on in. Get yourself a beer and settle in for sing-along tunes, Genepi shots, and maybe a dance on a table.


Le Schuss

Location: 1650

schuss bar courchevel

Le Schuss is one of those classic-looking alpine ski bars. Its exterior is clad in dark wood and you can’t help but stop and take a peek inside, especially once the smell of Vin Chaud hazily drifts out the front door.

A warming friendly interior welcomes you inside throughout the day. (It’s a fab lunch spot for a burger). As the afternoon moves on, more and more skiers flood into the bar including ski instructors and other local workers. Particularly as the staff are friendly and the drinks are relatively cheap. There’s a fun laid back atmosphere every afternoon. If you’re keen for live music and full apres ski mode, then Tuesday afternoons need to be in your diary!


Ski Lodge

Location: La Tania

When it comes to running a ski bar, the team at Ski Lodge just nail it. You can ski right to the door in La Tania, unclip your skis,and have a drink in your hands in seconds. The large wooden deck beams with sunshine through the afternoon. And the food hits the spot, we’re talking easy going pub grub – big plates, burgers, steaks, chips, you know the drill. Adding to this, it’s known for its lively atmosphere.

Any seasonaires and ski instructors in La Tania head here for a good time… Did someone say toffee vodka? There’s regular live music with apres sessions (which can get wild) on Thursday after 5pm. If that wasn’t enough, it doubles as a late night venue with more live music after 10pm.


La Taiga

Location: La Tania

Perhaps the best person to follow is ski instructor come apres musician Freddy Wilkens. By day he’ll be out teaching on the slopes. Once the lifts stop spinning it’s time for the Freddy Wilkens Show at La Taiga on Tuesdays from 5pm. He’ll have you singing along to anthems one minute and have you spitting your beer out with laughter the next.

La Taiga is a bar and restaurant sitting a 2 minute walk from the slopes in the centre of town, just opposite the bus stop. That’s handy as you can choose to finish your ski day in the village, kick back for apres and easily jump on the bus back to the other Courchevel villages. Or even book yourself in for dinner at La Taiga after the music has finished!


Other Apes Ski Highlights

Fire & Ice

Location: 1650

Fire & Ice slopeside resturant 1650

If chilling out, relaxing and enjoying the mountain life is more your thing then Fire & Ice bar at Le Portetta Hotel is the perfect apres ski spot.

Set into the snow front of Courchevel Moriond 1650 you’ll unclip your skis and fall into the luxurious outdoor sofas.

Friendly impeccable service keeps your drinks topped up. Sip a fresh cocktail, a refreshing beer or a warming vin chaud.

As the sun twinkles behind the mountain peak you’ll stay warm under thick blankets and a heated outdoor bar.

Plus from 4.30 pm it’s happy hour which even includes free (DELICIOUS) stone-baked pizza.


Grizzly & Co (formerly Waikiki)

Location: 1850

apres ski bars

Why not grab slopeside winter sun at the unique Grrizzly & Co. It’s simple, relaxed and easy-going, just like a beach bar should be.

The French Alps is renowned for its glorious blue sky, wall to wall sunshine ski days. You’re almost guaranteed to get great fresh snow conditions combined with fair weather skiing during a week in Courchevel. Most visitors get glorious skiing and a suntan after a week in the snow.

Fill up on a burger, grab a cocktail and lap up the sun all to a few classic tunes through the afternoon.


La Petite Bergerie

Location: La Tania

An unlikely combo of a local french grill restaurant and Scottish tradition opens its doors below the streets of Le Praz.

This apres session is a hidden gem only known to those who hear the highland whispers around the Courchevel.

Walk into a laugh a minute performance from Bill and Arthur as the local musicians put on a folk sing-along come comedy show.

It’s a different sort of apres, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Scottish Highlands, not the French Alps. Wednesday, 5pm, see you there!


Le Tremplin

Location: 1850

Tremplin restaurant and bar in Courchevel 1850

Le Tremplin proudly sits on the main snow front of Courchevel 1850 making it the perfect place to slide right off the slopes into apres ski.

The large deck catches the last of the Courchevel sun before the music turns up and the drinks start flowing.

There’s no need to even leave your seat with quick table surface helping you relax to regular live music from 4pm.

Once you’re done easily jump on the Jardin Alpin lift or hop in a taxi back to your luxury accommodation.


Copina Cocktails & Tapas

Location: 1650

copina cocktail
credit: Copina

For a luxurious experience out of the limelight, Copina in Courchevel Moriond 1650 is waiting.

The popular tapas and cocktail bar is open from early afternoon with delicious cocktails made from local ingredients, moreish small plates.

“Copina offers a more intimate apres vibe, with world class cocktails and authentic Galician tapas available all day. Enjoy our extensive range of select wines from around the world or relax with a refreshing craft beer after a day on the slopes”

Check out their Facebook page to find out when they’ve got live music planned.


The Gatekeeper

Location: 1850

Inside the gatekeeper pub

Dreaming of a good old fashioned British pub? Then you won’t find anything closer than The Gatekeeper which is just a few steps from the snow front in Courchevel 1850. Head on inside for a few pints and a round of darts with your buddies. Plus regular quiz nights and happy hours between 7 and 8pm really do make it the best ‘pub’ in the ski resort.

“A cosy Pub in the heart of Courchevel 1850”

Keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming live music in the early evening too.


Bar Le Caterail

Location: 1550

If you’re in Courchevel 1550 looking for a place to relax once you’ve finished skiing then don’t fear.

The sleepy village does have some hidden gems hidden away. For lively spot, head to Le Caterail near the start of the main street.

The wood-clad bar oozes alpine vibes and is the perfect placed to enjoy a local drink.

Into the evening you’ll find live music and plenty of live sport to keep you entertained.


Apres Ski in Courchevel

You can have apres anyway you want in Courchevel.

Unmissable groovy vibes of Folie Douce, VIP slopeside experiences, rowdy seasonaire hangouts or a quiet drink in the sun.

What is ‘Apres Ski’?

Apres ski is a French term coined by the ski industry to talk about what you do after you have finished skiing for the day. It literally translates as ‘After ski’ and usually involves energetic parties once the chair lifts have stopped for the day.

No good ski trip is complete without a good bit of apres. The party gets started from mid-afternoon in mountain bars across ski resorts including Courchevel. The easiest way to find the best bars is simply to listen for the live music, stamping of ski boots, and follow the locals.

You’ll soon see that these parties come in all shapes and sizes from 1 man and a guitar in a small wood-clad local bar to international DJs playing to hundreds of people on sunny decks.


What to wear for apres ski in Courchevel?

When it comes to apres ski, anything goes.

And that includes fashion.

While you’ll be more than happy in your regular ski gear, some people really do dress for the occasion.

Step foot in a place like the Folie Douce and you’ll understand.

Bold neon coloured suncream is branded across youthful faces.

Retro ski suits are reintroduced to the party.

80’s headbands take pride of place in Instagram selfies.

Fur clad hoods, sequined jackets, and, for the brave, even some naked skin.

Just take a look at some of this apres ski…

If you’re picking out an apres-ski outfit then don’t forget to include a little practicality depending on the weather. If you’re partying outside then things can get cold very quickly so make sure you’ve got layers to keep warm.

A warm jacket, hat, and even some gloves as holding a cold drink gets a little chilly.

On more than one occasion I’ve seen a cold beer start to freeze if it doesn’t get finished quickly enough.