The best après-ski bars and activities in Avoriaz
The single biggest advantage of Avoriaz nightlife is its proximity to the slopes. Some of the best après-ski bars, live music venues (including the iconic Folie Douce) and the resort’s only nightclub (Le Yak, typically open midnight to 5am) are quite literally a snow-ball’s throw from both the last run home and eventual stumble into bed.
Many bars cater as much to families early-evening as party-loving freeriders late at night, and the resort’s four-star hotels squirrel away tranquil cocktail bars. World-class bands and top performers on the French Alps circuit star at the winter season’s two headline music festivals: Snowboxx and Rock The Pistes, both in March.
For further Avoriaz inspiration, see our guides to the resort's best accommodation and restaurants.
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Bars in Avoriaz
Changabang
Named after the Himalayan mountain and otherwise known as Le Changa, this buzzy burger bar is a prime pit stop for the local freeriding crowd. Begin the day here with a cappuccino or breakfast in the US diner-styled interior and end the day with a beer and tunes with other riders on the terrace. Its location, directly across from the top station of the Prodains cable car, couldn’t be handier. Ditto for its nachos, buddha bowls, curly fries with cheese and other street-food snacks to stave off drink-induced munchies.
Contact: changa-avoriaz.com
Price: £
Shooters
As the name implies, exotic shot concoctions are the thing to knock back at this hardcore party address – a longstanding pub favourite on the après-ski scene. An impressive drinks menu spanning dozens of different shooters kickstarts the party at 4pm, and some of the resort’s best live music keeps it going well past midnight. Bands embrace rock, reggae, techno and most sounds in between, and the bar is a top venue during Avoriaz’s Snowboxx music fest in March. Rather predictably perhaps, Happy Hour – usually from 10pm to 11.30pm – throws in a free shot for every drink ordered. Table reservations recommended.
Contact: facebook.com/shooters.avoriaz
Price: £
Le Tavaillon
In keeping with the English pub vibe, Stella, Beck’s, Guinness, Magners cider and a dozen other beers and ales are served on tap at this well-located bar, wedged between shops on Avoriaz’s main strip. Open non-stop from 9am to 2am, its lively street terrace morphs from the place for morning coffee in the sun to après-ski central and late-night hangout. Live sports matches on TV and themed party nights can pull big crowds into the worn, wood-and-stone interior. The pub serves food too, but you’re probably better off heading elsewhere to eat.
Contact: facebook.com/barpubletavaillon
Price: £
Folie Douce
Avoriaz’s après-ski star needs little introduction. The Portes du Soleil outpost of the Val-d’Isère party icon woos skiers daily from 3pm to 6pm with glitzy cabaret dancers, live music and top international DJs. Music and dancing on the tables outside increase in tempo as the sun sets. Watch for themed party nights and a wild mix of thrilling entertainment (flame eaters, dry ice, all sorts). The single biggest USP of this Folie Douce? Its proximity to the resort centre, a five-minute walk, ski or alcohol-induced stumble away.
Contact: lafoliedouce.com
Price: ££
Le Yéti
Around the corner from Folie Douce, on the final stretch back to the resort, you ski past the popular après-ski terrace of this unpretentious restaurant-bar – just look for the sea of bright red director chairs in the snow, across from the ESF ski school meeting point. A colourful choice of smoothies, milkshakes, hot chocolate with marshmallows and top-notch crepes with various decadent toppings ensure kids love it too as a sweet break mid-ski or the last stop of the day.
Contact: leyeti-avoriaz.fr
Price: £–££
Le Roc
The Rock sports two hats to suit two moods. When you fancy a local craft beer and spin at pin bowling, hit Le Strike. Indoor alleys plus a myriad of arcade games, air hockey and football tables at the bowling club provide hours of entertainment from 4pm until 2am. There’s often a DJ playing, and New York and Savoyard hot dogs (with melted raclette cheese), bagels and patatas bravas star on the bar’s menu. For a quieter, more serene night out, reserve a table at Le Lounge for an evening of cocktails or mocktails and sharing plates. Both spaces are interconnected – ideal for families with older children.
Contact: roc-avoriaz.com
Price: £–££
Le Village Igloo
How can drinks at an ice bar in an igloo not be anything other than infinitely cool? The novelty factor alone makes Avoriaz’s giant igloo, built each winter from 8000m3 of snow, a prime stop for a toddy between slopes or après-ski aperitif. Champagne, cocktails and craft beers flow, and it’s possible to stay for a cheesy Savoyard fondue dinner; you can also sleep the night (reserve both online in advance). The temperature inside the igloo hovers between zero and minus-2C, making a deckchair in the snow decidedly warmer on bluebird days. The Igloo Village, next to the half pipe on the Bleue d’Arare run, is also accessible on foot.
Contact: village-igloo.fr
Price: ££
Closest piste: Bleue d’Arare
The Place
Another one for night owls (closes 2am), The Place has been precisely that since the 1990s – assuming a noisy bar, dance floor, shots galore and occasional dancing on tables is your cup of tea. Tucked above the pharmacy, with its very own rooftop above central square Place du Snow, the party kicks off at 4pm with cut-price Aperol spritz and beer during Happy Hour (until 6pm). After that, pretty much anything flies. Expect wild beer-pong tournaments, karaoke, themed soirées, some top live bands performing during après-ski and late-night resident DJs spinning tech-house, rap or hip hop.
Contact: theplaceavoriaz.com
Price: ££
Other activities in Avoriaz
Karting and biking
Three times a week grown-up speedsters can fly down the Crôt piste in a three-wheeled go-kart. AvoKart descents depart at 8pm from the Prodains cable car station and it takes 1.5 hours to navigate the two-mile downhill route and get back up by cable car; helmet and head torch are provided. Moonbiking beneath the stars is a fun alternative for teenagers from 16 years. Rental of the silent snow vehicles (maximum speed 26mph), with front ski blade and rear electric-powered chain, includes a helmet and also a guide; tours depart hourly between 6pm and 11pm. Then, of course, there is regular biking in the snow with chunky-tyred fat bikes.
Contact: skipass-avoriaz.com
Price: ££
Ski joëring
Given horse-drawn sleighs and carriages are the only fashionable way to get around Avoriaz – in ski season, 20 coachmen and 100 horses work in the car-free resort – it’s only right and proper that guests can try their hand at ski joëring. A heady mix of skiing and horse riding, the equestrian snow sport sees skiers fly through storybook pine forests and other serene snowy landscapes, being pulled by a trotting-to-galloping horse. The activity is accessible to anyone from the age of seven, making it a great family activity.
Contact: avoriaz.com
Price: ££
Aquariaz
Avoriaz’s indoor aquatic centre is open every afternoon except Sunday from 1.30pm to 7.30pm, and is heaps of fun post-skiing or when you simply need a break from the slopes. It’s also great for families with little ones; there is no minimum age to enter the toasty warm water park (under-12s must be accompanied by an adult), with several pools of varying depths. The pool area is designed to resemble a tropical paradise. Lush trees and vegetation sprout from faux rock formations, caves and bridges. Waterfalls, jets and water slides with inflatables set pulses racing – or kick back in relaxing bubble baths, a gently flowing river and an outdoor jacuzzi with snowy peak view. Contrary to many municipal pools in France, men’s swim shorts are allowed (leave the speedos at home).
Contact: avoriaz.com
Price: £
How we choose
Every bar, venue or activity in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our ski expert, who has visited the resort to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs on the piste to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of skier – and consider the drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. Non-ski activities are chosen to provide an alternative to traditional aprés, whether for families or adrenaline junkies looking to enjoy the mountains in winter away from the slopes. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
