So, cards on table, the region is not the ideal destination if you’re all about the aprés-ski. But that’s not to say you can’t find some fun after a hard day on the slopes, and you – or more likely the youngsters in your group – are looking for a little more than a nice meal, recap on the days events and a good nights sleep.
Lively spots in Praz-sur-Arly
Locally, in Praz itself, your best bet for aprés-ski are K-Bane and La Moufle, which can get pretty lively in season and do lay on extra entertainment.
K-Bane is the funky restaurant at the base of the pistes. Not only is it heaving at lunch but as the lifts wind down around 5pm, those with a bit of stamina gather for a drink and a chat. The playlist is always good but they will occasionally host a DJ. Impromptu dancing is not unheard of. Without entertainment, it tends to wind down by 7pm. Thursday nights, when there is the torchlight procession, it is usually busier and goes on later – sometimes with fireworks!
Praz’s coolest bar, La Moufle tends to go on later. Crowds wandering back to their apartment drift in around 6 or 7pm and it can get pretty busy. A lot of the workers from the Espace Diamant will gather here. Sometimes the crowds don’t build til much later. They too often have a DJ or band, sometimes early, sometimes late.
Not only Upmarket in Megève
As the lifts close and the light fades, the centre of Megève gets very busy with the well-dressed aprés-ski crowd – filling the bars and the pop-up outdoor vin-chaud vendors to overflowing. It’s lots of fun, great people watching – but pricey!
And if you want to go late into the night, there are no shortages of venues that cater for the night-owls. The thing is, this is a very upmarket resort filled with the elite of France and beyond (especially Russians). So most are more piano bars or Mayfair clubs than dance venues. And many have dress codes.
There are exceptions for the more casual, young-at-heart looking for some life. Up on the slopes the La Folie Douce is the closest thing to an aprés-ski party venue in the region. Part of a chain that spreads across France’s top resorts, La Folie is at the top of the Mont Joux lift and technically part of the St. Gervais ski area. The fun starts early – at 2.30pm – and features DJs and live musicians. Skiing is the only way down and, I’d imagine, quite dangerous.
For those wanting to party on later into the night, the best bet in the centre of Megève is probably Cocoon Club, a dark and cavernous bar with a DJ and dancing til late. And no dress code!
Beyond – into the Haute Savoie
If you’re OK hopping into a taxi, there are more choices of nighttime venues across the larger towns of the Espace Diamant. There’s always an Irish pub, right? And here it’s in Flumet – called The Shamrock and open to 2am every day, serving that good ole Irish favourite: pizza. Les Saisies – the largest resort in the Espace Diamant – has Le BarBar Pub, a classic apres ski venue. Pub l’Olympe Café, often has bands and DJs.
And, of course Chamonix is only 40 mins drive.
