The Ultimate Guide to Val Thorens Après Ski Bars and Nightlife

Where Altitude Meets Attitude, this is Val Thorens After Dark

At 4pm on a bluebird Thursday, after three Mutzig beers at La Folie Douce, dancing on a table with a Danish stag party, a saxophonist in gorilla suit blasts house music at 2,600m altitude, with the entire Trois Vallées stretched below in panoramic glory… this is Val Thorens après ski. After 15 years of the SNO team systematically researching the world’s best apres ski resorts from St Anton to Zermatt, I can confidently say few places in the Alps deliver quite like this.

Val Thorens ski holidays put you in a 24-hour party ecosystem at the top of the world. There are 40+ bars and clubs in a resort you can walk across in 20 minutes. Scandinavian drinking culture collides with French sophistication and British groups to make this town (in)famous.

Why Val Thorens Après Ski is Famous in the Alps

Val Thorens centre at 2,300m is Europe’s highest ski resort, with one of the longest ski seasons. While Courchevel opens later in December and Méribel closes earlier in April, Val Thorens keeps the party in the peaks going from November to May. 

What sets Val Thorens apart is the variety of nightlife – in barely a 100 meters walk down Rue de Gébroulaz, there’s Scandinavian singalongs, British pub quizzes, French wine bars, and an international mega-club. From €7.50 pints at Happy Hour to €450 magnums of champagne at VIP tables – there’s something for every budget.

I love the car-free compact centre – no designated drivers, no expensive taxis, no lengthy stumbles home. The compact layout means you’re never more than a five-minute stumble from the next adventure. Compare that to sprawling Courchevel where taxi fares between villages require a mortgage.

Yes, it’s still expensive (pints €8-12, cocktails from €12) but you’re at the highest party in Europe, surrounded by people from 30+ nationalities and world-class DJs.

Understanding the Layout of Val Thorens Nightlife

Rue de Gébroulaz is the main pedestrianized street with 70% of the bars. Malaysia sits underneath, Klub Summit above, and this is where you should head as the sun sets.

The Place de Caron forms the resort’s heart, with underground faves like Malaysia. The Temples area at the lower end has The Shamrock and various hotel bars that are slightly quieter.

On the mountain après is accessed by the ski lifts. La Folie Douce sits beneath the Plein Sud and Pionniers chairlifts, 360 Bar is by the Moraine lift, and brand-new Caron 3200 requires the Cime Caron cable car (€13 for pedestrian access but amazing sunset views).

In white-out conditions mountain venues become inaccessible, and underground Malaysia or cozy hotel bars like Le Roy are recommended.

The Mountain Madness of Slope-Side Après Ski

La Folie Douce Val Thorens is The Undisputed King

If après ski venues were royalty, La Folie Douce wears the crown – this bar is a phenomenon.

I’ve been to all eight Folie Douce venues across the Alps, and while Val d’Isere Folie might be the original, Val Thorens is now the most famous. I think the altitude creates natural euphoria, and the terrace catches afternoon sun. The crowd in VT is the most international and, from 2pm onwards, it’s the most fun place to be.

The SNO team likes to start lunch at La Fruitière (where William and Kate famously dined), move to drinks on the quieter upper terraces, then down to the main area when the dancing starts around 2pm. The production values are very high for a bar, with acrobats, pro dancers, sax wandering through the crowd, and tons of confetti.

The 18+ rule from 2pm means its not family-friendly, but you really don’t want to take your kids here! The street food station has a handy late-lunch for when you’ve skied since breakfast.

It’s pricey if you’re very thirsty, with beers from €10, €15 cocktails and €50+ for champagne. But I think the entertainment and atmosphere make it reasonable by Alpine standards. The blue run down Plein Sud is tough for beginners when heavily chopped up, so don’t drink too much of you’re a newbie.

360 Bar is My Chilled Alternative

Up at 2,400m by the Moraine and Portette lifts, 360 Bar is La Folie Douce’s more laid-back cousin. On clear days you can see Mont Blanc from the “panoramic” terrace. It’s my favourite for sunset cocktails as the crowd is a bit more grown-up.

The easy ski down (unlike Folie Douce’s gauntlet of prone bodies) from 360 has multiple routes including the wide, gentle Portette trail. The music is laid-back and the food is good but a €5 entry sometimes applies (but includes a drink token).

NEW: Caron 3200 is Europe’s Highest Wine Bar

Brand new for 2024-25, was this architectural marvel at Val Thorens’ highest point. At 3,200m, it’s literally on top of the world with 360° views from Mont Blanc to the Vanoise glaciers.

More sophisticated Caron 3200 has a wine cellar stocking 200+ varieties. The rooftop bar opens for sunset sessions that Instagram FOMO pics are made of.

Pedestrian access via the Cime Caron cable car makes it a unique evening destination for meeting up with non-skiers in your group. I recommend booking a 4pm table for the sunset, then head down for dinner in resort.

It’s not cheap when you add €13 cable car to premium drinks prices, so €50 min for the visit. But where else can you drink Chasselas while standing higher than most Alpine peaks?

La Fruitière is (allegedly) Where Millionaires Mingle

Adjoined with La Folie Douce, La Fruitière is Val Thorens’ stab at gastronomic excellence. Is it really where Russian oligarchs share fondue with Silicon Valley CEOs while Royal protection officers scope the exits? Well the dairy theme sounds kitsch, but I like the wooden beams and copper vats etc. The food is really great but e.g. €65 for steak tartare… but it’s the best tartare at 2,600m.

The Heart of the Action: Main Resort Bars

The Best Live Music in Val Thorens

Saloon Bar is The Highest Rated in Reviews

TripAdvisor’s #1 nightlife spot in Val Thorens, and for once the internet got it right. I think the Saloon is a perfect sweet spot between après ski casualness and late-night “out out”.

Live bands Sunday to Friday from 5:30-6:30pm with good musicians. The happy hour (5-7pm) has terrific deals such as €5 pints and 2-for-1 cocktails. The cocktails are good, but I would suggest you ask how they make a“Lord Helmet” before ordering.

The DJ starts at 9pm and it’s rammed by 10pm Thursday-Saturday.

Café Snesko is for Scandinavian Shenanigans

Snesko is weird hygge, with flaming shots, beer towers and Danish drinking songs. I love the flaming shot ritual. Twenty Norwegians in matching sweaters, arms linked, downing flaming sambuca while singing a Viking war chant. Health and safety went skiing and never came back, so you might want to remove synthetic clothing before joining in!

It’s family-friendly only until 9pm when it transforms into Viking Valhalla.

British & Irish Corner

The Frog & Roastbeef is “The Highest Pub in Europe”

“The Frog” claims Europe’s highest pub status and is everything you want from a British pub abroad.

The Sunday roasts would make my Yorkshire grandma proud – recommended after a week of fondue and tartiflette. Sports coverage is comprehensive and they’ve somehow sourced proper British ales on tap (about €9 a pint). Live music is guitarists doing acoustic covers for relaxed background to conversation. The pub quiz on Wednesdays has prizes including a bar tab.

The Frog does get a bit packed during big matches so arrive early or accept standing room.

O’Connell’s Irish Pub is Exactly What You Expect

Every ski resort needs an Irish pub, and O’Connell’s is neither the best nor worst Irish pub in the Alps, but always good craic.  The central location makes it a natural meeting point and it’s the best place to watch Ireland rugby matches. The 2023 Grand Slam celebration saw rugby fans weeping into their Guinness.

The Shamrock Might be The Underdog’s Choice?

Hidden in the Temple building area, The Shamrock has been called scruffier, cheaper, and friendlier than O’Connell’s.  Happy hour from 5-8pm has €6 pints and the crowd is more seasonaire than tourist. We go for the pool table and darts (and cheaper Guiness).

The St. Patrick’s Day party at The Shamrock is the staff party with green beer and traditional music. Cash only when the card machine is “broken”.

Val Thorens Less Well Known

Rhum Box Where The Ski Instructor Sup

Behind El Gringo’s restaurant, Rhum Box is popular by word-of-mouth, with 30 flavoured rums.

Maximum 40 people creates proper bar atmosphere – from Place de Caron, head past El Gringo’s and look for the wooden door.

Wild and Savage is Where Boutique Meets Bar

Part clothing boutique, part cocktail bar, Wild and Savage is where Val Thorens’ meets Shoreditch.

The retail/bar hybrid sounds gimmicky but it’s entertaining to browse €200 hoodies while sipping cocktails.

The Best Val Thorens Nightclubs

Malaysia is Europe’s Highest “Mega-Club”

At 700m² with 2,500 capacity, this underground behemoth claims “biggest club in the Alps” status.

The main room has live bands until 1am then DJs take over with commercial crowd-pleasers to proper underground house.

Rudimental and Calvin Harris played here. So did Chase & Status. The VIP balcony gives you more breathing space but with a €300 minimum spend split between your group.

Klub Summit: The Alternative

Klub Summit positions itself as the cooler alternative to the “Highest nightclub in Europe” with a smaller size and music is housier than Malaysia (if you know your Disclosure from your David Guetta). The crowd is slightly older and better dressed.

Entry varies from €10-20 entry depending on the night and the dress code seems not enforced. Busiest 1-3am when Malaysia refugees arrive, and I think the upper bar does better cocktails.

Le Baramix combines Tapas and Techno

Baramix transitions from civilized tapas bar to underground club. You can start with Iberico ham at 8pm, and end with techno at 4am.

Downstairs becomes a nightclub and the best nights are Monday (Latino nights), Wednesday (reggae), and the busiest being weekends which are electronic.

The food is great because they partnered with La Belle en Cuisse for charcuterie was inspired. Upstairs and downstairs feel very different so you can enjoy tapas without going clubbing.

Jackie Val Thorens has Asian Fusion food and Alpine/Europop

The newest addition to Val Thorens’ nightlife scene is YukiYama restaurant (6-10pm) serving Asian fusion. At 10pm the tables disappear.

Organising Your Val Thorens Après Ski and Rest of Night

After 15 years of researching ski holidays in France, we think the SNO team has perfected the Val Thorens off-slope experience:

How a really great SNO night in Val Thorens unfolds:

• 3:30pm is when the final run leads to a mountain venue (often the Folie).
• 5:30pm at the latest is time to try to ski down for a quick hotel refresh.
• 7:00pm is long enough to get presentable for a happy hour (Irish bars are cheapest).
• 8:30pm we’re so ready for dinner, where you can go big and then home, or light for dancing.
• 11:00pm if we didn’t overdo the fondue, we’re ready for round two in a bar near Malaysia.
• 2:00am is the latest to go to a nightclub (although SNOman tends to make a “French exit”)
• 4:00am needs an alarm setting, or you’ll not sleep enough for tomorrow’s first lifts.

What are the Age-Appropriate Adjustments?

20-somethings: Go full-send, from La Folie Douce to Malaysia. Your liver can handle it, and your bank account can’t, but that’s what overdrafts are for.

30-somethings: Should start at 360 Bar, have dinner at Jackie, and a nightcap at Saloon… and then?

40-somethings: Love a lunch at La Fruitière, maybe the late afternoon at your hotel spa, civilized drinks at Le Roy, and go to bed by midnight.

50+: Mrs SNOman says I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want. I’ve seen 60-year-olds closing Malaysia and 25-year-olds asleep by 10pm, so age is just a number.

Advice for Large Groups in What Is a Fairly Compact Ski Resort

The main this is to book restaurants immediately because Val Thorens has limited capacity. La Bouitte, El Gringo’s, and Fahrenheit Seven handle groups well. Avoid walk-ins with 10+ people unless you enjoy rejection.

Meeting points matter. “Meet at Malaysia” means nothing when it’s underground with four entrances. Be specific: “O’Connell’s main bar, 9pm, I’ll wear the ridiculous Christmas jumper.”

For stag/hen parties, embrace the chaos but plan structure. Book a table at Folie Douce. Designate a “sensible one” (rotate the responsibility). Have hotel details written down – phones die, memories fail.

The Wednesday Trap is basically when you realise midweek hangovers hit quite hard, especially when you have to get up and ski.

The Budget-Conscious Brit’s Guide to Val Thorens

Val Thorens can be very expensive but doesn’t need to be – you can definitely enjoy one of the best apres ski resorts in France cheaper, with a bit of planning:

How to Choose from the Various Different Happy Hours:

• Saloon  is only from 5-7pm, but has €5 pints and 2-for-1 cocktails
• The Shamrock is at 5-8pm, with €6 pints but it’s not a place to get good cocktails.
• Many hotels do an early 4-6pm happy hour, with a more modest discount of 20-30% off.
• Malaysia has Free entry, so you can add that saving to the more expensive drinks budget.

Chalet or Hotel Pre-Drinks: Almost every British group I’ve joined in Val Thorens has started with Carrefour wine or a hip flask. Buy supplies on the way if you’re driving as resort shops charge 30-40% premiums. Remember to pace yourself because the altitude amplifies everything. I honestly believe a bottle of wine at sea level equals 1.5 bottles at 2,300m.

Best Value Venues in Val Thorens:

• Shamrock tends to have the Cheapest pints in resort.
• Rhum Box does really good, for reasonable prices.
• Hotel bars during happy hour can be good if the one where you stay has on.
• Your apartment balcony is free with a view so get organised and leave a bottle outside to chill.
• The free wine with dinner, included in most Val Thorens catered chalets, is my top choice.

How to Save Money When You’re Going Out in VT:

• Always eat before going out drinking as you’ll drink slower.
• Alternate alcoholic/soft drinks because soft drinks cost half as much.
• Happy-hour hop, from 4pm until 8pm for 4 hours of cheaper drinks!
• Avoid the temptation to order champagne at Folie Douce, or pointlessly spray it everywhere.
• Free nightclub entry vs. drinks prices i.e. free entry at Malaysia beats €20 at Summit.

Seasonal Specials & Events

Val Thorens’ nightlife and après ski change a little throughout the winter season:

December opening has the most excited atmosphere, but the worst organization with all the newbie staff.

Christmas/New Year holiday prices are higher, and there’s often crowds in the top spots like Malaysia.

January is probably the golden period, when staff have time to chat, and the mountains are more empty.

Feb Half-Term is busy for Brit school holidays, when VT’s a family resort by day and teen Xanadu by night.

University Weeks I would check BUSC and university calendars as 2,000 students transform the resort.

March is probably my favourite part of the season as snow’s still great but weather is sunnier.

April is amazing for T-shirt skiing and closing parties so good, it’s when the après lovers book their holiday.

Special Events Worth Planning Around:

• The Freeride World Tour (January) brings top athletes which really adds something to your trip.
• In Winter X Games years, when scheduled in val Thorens, are a huge spectacle.
• Gay Ski Week (March) has the most fabulous parties, and a friendly/inclusive atmos.
• Closing Weekend (Early May) is nearly as big as opening weekend (but I prefer the opener).

The Best “Morning After” Recovery Venues

Like everyone, I often get over-excited in VT and need a more gentle next morning, so here’s a few to keep in your back pocket:

My Favourite Places for Breakfast:

• Chalet de la Marine has a really good Full English breakfast.
• La Paillotte is better if you can’t face a fry up as the croissants are great.
• Hotel breakfast buffets are available to non-guests for €15 to €25 depending on star-rating.

Gentle Ski Options to Get You Started:

• Plein Sud has the wide, groomed, forgiving slopes for your first turns.
• Boulevard Cumin is so gentle that it won’t exacerbate your headache.
• 4 Vallées has long, gentle cruising and lots of places to stop and catch your breath.
• Give up if you’ve really over-done it and have a spa day at Fahrenheit Seven.

Keep Stopping to Rehydrate:

• Mountain restaurants serve “thé aux myrtilles” (blueberry tea) which does actually help.
• Electrolyte sachets from pharmacie can be drunk before bed and when you wake up.
• Vin chaud at 11am is a nice hair-of-the-chien if you can keep it down.

So What’s The Ultimate Val Thorens Verdict?

Between us, the SNO team has been out partying after skiing in over a hundred and fifty of the world’s best ski resorts. I can honestly say that Val Thorens is one of the best resorts for après ski in the world.

It’s not as sophisticated as Val d’Isere, as traditional as St Anton, or as cheap as anywhere in Italy. But for sheer variety, energy, and 24/7 great atmosphere across a five-month season, there’s a good argument to be made that Val Thorens might be best overall. It’s definitely in anyone’s top ten.

My final SNO Pro Tip is to try it all, from a Folie Douce afternoon, to the hidden Rhum Box, to a sing along at Snesko and a late night in Malaysia.

When you’re ready to experience Europe’s highest party, the SNO team has you covered. 

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