Après-ski

The warmer weather in spring is when the real après-ski begins. T-shirts, sunglasses and panda eyes are the order of the day. The seasonnaires will still be in beanies and goggles because there is nothing more attractive to a chalet girl than a razor sharp goggle line that proves that you are the hottest rider in the resort. We'll let you decide...

Barbecues, live bands and sun terraces mean you don't even have to go to the trouble of skiing to get a tan. So pack your SPF 15 and head for our favourite après-ski haunts...

Val d'Isère, La Folie Douce has always had a big party scene but they have raised their game over the last couple of years. A funky blend of DJs and live musicians serenade the crowd and spray Magnums of Champagne around. There are foam sofas on the deck to chill out on. In January it is too cold for Folie Douce to really work but in March and April, we reckon it is the coolest of all the après-ski in the Alps. You can take the bubble so non-skiers can go up and skiers who can no longer ski can go down (the ski down is the reddest green run in the Alps!)

St Anton, Mooserwirt is the original in the home of après-ski. Often imitated but never bettered, it is unapologetically European and if big hair, European Rock and the Final Countdown are your scene, this is the place to go. It also does great food and is accessible by road. Skiing down is easy but calling our driver is the wiser way.

Courchevel 1850, Le Cap Horn is expensive enough to make an oligarch weep but if bling is your thing, this is the place to be in Courchevel and Cap Horn has been upping the ante this winter. Good food and a wine list that is entertainment itself combined with the live DJ competing in volume with the planes landing and taking off from the altiport. Access is by road or on skis. If you fancy something a little more down to earth, the Ski Lodge in La Tania is where the normal people hang out.

Zermatt, Olympistube is the last stop on the home run before the town and is on the continuation of the Reid run (2) just after the point at which it meets the National (1) and Rio (10) runs. For non skiers it is an easy 15 minute walk from town or a 5 minute walk from the new lift that comes up to Cervo. It is Marcus' (our Resort Manager) favourite après-ski bar and he should know having been in Zermatt for longer than he cares to admit (well over a decade). They serve good food on a beautiful large south facing terrace with the best view of the village anywhere. More civilised than other venues but with live music and a warm and fun atmosphere outside every afternoon, it is a great place to finish off the ski day.