How to do Apres Ski in Val Thorens!

I would start with booking a table at La Fruitiere. You might know La Folie Douce for dancing on the tables but not for lunching. Just on the right hand side of the venue is their restaurant with an absolutely fantastic terrace. I love the blue/white décor which makes you feel more like you’re on a boat than on the slopes. They have a great menu, which as ever, is not cheap but not really over the top pricey. Book a table, crack open the wine and relax. If you book for late lunch then you’ll find towards the end of your meal the renowned Folie Douce act will start on the balcony just around the corner. Gradually make your way over and join in with trying to catch champagne poured from bars and balconies, wobble your way up onto the large tables to dance in your ski boots and generally have a jolly good time. This should all wrap up around 5ish and then it’s time to clip on your ski’s (remember this bit is coming!) and head down to the resort.

I recommend skiing directly to Café Snesko. Head down the piste from La Folie Douce bearing left where possible and the track should take you there. Located on what I would say is the main ‘strip’ in upper Val Thorens. It’s only a teeny tiny place and gets filled up quickly. If you don’t want to bump elbows then it’s not the place for you. There is always a great atmosphere and great entertainment, with bands on most nights, standard dancing on the table and setting fire to the bar - the team not you!

Once you’ve had enough of that then from here I think it’s time your ski boots went home. Don’t’ worry it’s not over you’re coming out again! Change out of your ski clobber into suitable dining attire and head to The Steak Club. Located just down the same road from Snesko this is a great evening restaurant. I love the interior here, makes you feel like you are not in a ski resort, it’s really bright and very refreshing. Also maybe a seasonaire gripe rather than a holiday requirement but no fondue on the menu! I’m not really a raw meat eater but was tempted to try the carpaccio here and my review is mmmmmmmm.

After this I would suggest you head just across the road for a digestif to Rhum Box. This place is brilliant. Again not a huge venue and really quirky. It is generally just the owner who works behind the bar and he does things in his own time so don’t go here for a quick drink, it’s more an experience! I did once hear he was the first snowboarder in Val Thorens, not sure if that’s true, but the bar is donned with some great vintage snowboards and ski’s. The bar itself is defined by it’s name, a Rum bar. In a very French way there are shelves and shelves of huge jars of homemade rum, not sure you’d get away with it in England. There’s every flavor rum you can think of and some definitely look more appealing than others. I have to say, that generally after a stop at Rum box the night tends to get a bit messy but that’s après right?!

One place that I have actually never visited but is a great en-route stop-off is Snow Café just lower down on the road. Then from here to the depths of Malaysia. This place is located down towards the piste and central area of Val Thorens. It looks from the ground like a glamorous white shed! You head downstairs to the huge expanse that is Malaysia. As reported previously in après reports they have various acts and bands playing throughout the season. It’s always quality entertainment here, you can expect the shooter bar to be set on fire many times and can stay until your ski and now dancing legs give up on you. It shuts at 4am. And voila! That’s my recommended grand day out in Val Thorens! You might blow your full holiday budget for the week in a day but you’ll have a bloomin’ good time.