101.7 FM IN GENEVA DAB+, CABLE & SATELLITE ACROSS SWITZERLAND
LISTEN ONLINE
ADELBODEN
Scott’s Bar
Solís Cambrian Hotel, Dorfstrasse 7
T 033 673 8383
This contemporary venue is set inside the stylish Solis Cambrian Hotel with a superb panoramic view over the Adelboden mountains from its sun terrace. Be sure to prop yourself up on its stylish bubble-glass counter to enjoy the Swiss beer on tap or venture into its admirable cocktail menu.
DAVOS
Bolgen Plaza
Werni Seiler, Skistrasse 26
T 081 413 5818
Don’t be deceived by its outward appearance: This quaint mountain hut at the foot of the Jakobshorn is one of Switzerland’s best après-ski event locations. The action starts at 4 pm every day, with a DJ on the first floor gradually turning up the volume so that by 11 pm the party has long since started. Located within walking distance of town, it’s also a good bet for those into non-ski-boot socializing.
FLIMS
Legna Bar
Flims Laax Falera, Casa Prima
T 081 927 7777
The brand-new Legna Bar, made entirely of wood, is located at the end of the ski run next to the Flims cable car station. Its daily après-ski parties are always buzzing thanks to a lineup of international DJs and live bands plus special Open End parties that carry on as long into the night as the
GSTAAD
Euterbar
Chalet Papillon
T 079 226 3741
This hotspot in Cowgroove is within easy walking distance of the Saanenmöser valley station. It’s a cute mountain hut with a chilled style, more about chatting than dancing. The stunning natural setting makes it the perfect place to discuss the day’s leaps and turns.
KLOSTERS
Chesa Bar
Bahnhofstrasse 12
T 081 422 2222
Euro-cool meets the Brit party pack at Chesa Bar, with all hoping for a glimpse of royals Charles, Wills and Harry, who frequently holiday in Klosters. One of the most beautiful bars in town, it still retains a cosy charm thanks to its setting in the hotel Chesa Grischuna, close to the Gotschna slopes. When the resident pianist gets everyone up and dancing in their ski boots, just like movie star Gene Kelly once did, it’s easy to see why the Chesa has retained its reputation as an après-ski legend.
KLOSTERS
Gaudy’s Graströchni
Rütipromenade 2
T 081 422 1793
Set at the end of the Parsenn-Gotschna slope, it’s also easily reached on foot from town, and no visit to Klosters is complete without at least one drink here. It’s a favourite hangout for the younger party crowd, attracted by the eclectic lineup of live bands that play most weekends. Don’t be surprised to find yourself still partying here late into the evening.
LAAX
Crap Bar
Talstation, T 081 927 9945
You can’t miss this 24-ton granite bar at the bottom of the home run in Laax. Don’t be fooled by its somewhat challenging name, which in the local language, Romansh, means simply “mountain peak.” Cool music, tasty bar snacks such as barley soup or big boards of cheese and a design clashing together glass and industrial chic have made it popular with the more discerning snowboard pack. And its quirky electronic dartboard always has a long waiting list.
LAAX
Riders Palace
Talstation
T 081 927 9700
The après-ski scene in Laax is buzzing at weekends as party-goers pile in from Zurich. The Riders Palace, with its 24-hour hi-tech bar and hip hotel, becomes the meeting point and is literally heaving with après-ski traffic. Its fusion of cocktails, beanbags and bass-heavy beats plus big name bands in its club later in the evening easily make it one of the trendiest après-ski spots in the country.
LENZERHEIDE
Wanner Bar/Obertor
Heimberglift Parpan
T 078 639 8550
This outdoor bar right next to the slopes is famous for its large selection of special coffees with a kick (try the Wanner), plus snacks such as the locally produced specialty Bundnerfleish (dried meat). This winter the same team plans to open the Obertor, a bar and restaurant sure to become another local favourite. It looks like an old barn, but will feature a BBQ grill in the afternoon plus local DJs and live bands.
LENZERHEIDE
Kurhaus
Voa Principala 40
T 081 384 1134
At the heart of this alternative-chic town is the stylish Kurhaus hotel. Its aprè̀s-mountain lounge sessions come complete with chill-out DJs and a relaxed attitude. During high season the parties from 5:30 to 7 pm feature a live funk/soul band. If you feel like partying on past après-ski time, the hotel also features a nightclub where the coolest DJs from Zurich can be heard.
NENDAZ
The Cactus Saloon
T 027 288 3132
All the riders come to this Mexican-themed hotel basement bar to get into the rocking party atmosphere with a spicy fiesta feel. The Cactus boasts DJs and live salsa, Latin, house and reggae bands plus an outdoor après-ski bar until 2 am and the famous “The bartender never gets killed” contest. A wide range of celebs—from Aston Villa football players to the team from Couleur 3 radio—have all enjoyed the legendary Cactus hospitality
NENDAZ
Meiringen-Hasliberg
Mägisalp
T 033 972 5320
This favourite holiday location of Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is perfect for a more family-friendly après-ski thanks to endless tobogganing fun on the floodlit piste and special full moon events. Parents can enjoy a few drinks served in a cowshed, which is where all the visitors, ski instructors and locals meet. Follow with a cosy fondue or raclette plus live music, then hop onto the last ride back down into the valley (from Hasliberg Reuti to Meiringen) around 11 pm.
SAAS-FEE
Black Bull Bar
No address or phone number exists.
Ask around or follow the crowd. Its cosy sun deck, laid-back locals and ultra-cool music are in keeping with Saas-Fee’s reputation for altitude not attitude. The emphasis is on fun and the music gets everyone in the mood to dance even though it’s so busy there’s hardly room to slug a Jägermeister or sip glasses of hot spiced glühwein. Expect lots of singing and shouting and an almost insanely happy atmosphere.
SAAS-FEE
Popcorn Bar
T 027 958 7706
Saas-Fee après-ski starts early and anyone who is anyone in snowboarding heads straight to the Popcorn Bar, a legend in the snowboard world—you might even run into one of the big-name riders who hang out there. With its ’50s jukeboxes, DJs, live music, pool tables and a snowboard shop out front, this place gets totally radical, dude.
SAMNAUN
Schmuggler Alm
T 081 861 8200
A dream après-ski location: This casual alpine hut is set on the final run down to the valley which takes you right next to Schmuggler’s terrace. On sunny days the DJs mix chilled grooves whilst skiers warm up with tasty glühwein and jagatee. After 7 pm it transforms into a simple but sweet restaurant.
SAVOGNIN
Roggi’s Baizli
Parsonz, T 081 684 2559
Situated directly next to the pistes and the Schlittada run—the coolest sledge run—this is an essential address for après-ski, especially when Albi the owner dons his special glasses and wig and kick-starts his show behind the bar. For those who’ve lost track of time and don’t want to ski down to the valley in the dark, Roggi’s team has torches ready for the last descent.
SAVOGNIN
Cube Hotel Bar
Veia Sandeilas 12, Talstation Savognin, Bergbahnen
T 081 659 1414
Its loft-like modern architecture of glass and concrete creates a striking contrast of urban design against breathtaking mountain scenery. With a run that delivers thirsty skiers almost to the door, parties on both the sun and roof terraces, plus lounges and a 24-hour licence, the Cube is so seductive you may as well just check-in and chill out.
ST MORITZ
Stübli
Hotel Schweizerhof, Via dal Bagn 54
T 081 837 0707
St Moritz is a paradise for party people and this wood-panelled pub in the lower level of the hotel is a very popular starting point along the resort’s famous “indoor bar mile.” Live guitar sessions are frequent and so are the fun and frolics, possibly due to the bar’s reputation as a meeting point for local ski instructors.
VERBIER
Le Rouge
Route de Ransou 37
T 027 771 8000
This stylish converted chalet is fast becoming Verbier’s hippest place to be seen thanks to its perfect fusion of style with cutting-edge cool. Its two terraces have stunning views where resident DJ Nico plays a seductive mix of deep house grooves and occasionally is accompanied by live percussion or sax players, adding a touch of jazz to the dance sounds. Inside it is nicely intimate with a rustic design theme throughout the bar and a brasserie-style restaurant.
VERBIER
Pub Mont Fort
Chemin de la Tinte, Case Postale
T 027 771 4849
For memorable party nights, Mont Fort is top of the list in the Alps. Those who’ve partied there usually use the word “wild” to describe the experience. A magnificent terrace ensures its après-ski sessions are always busy, but equally popular are its infamous shots and shakers, with bar staff concocting new ones each night. The famous Mont Fort burgers provide necessary fuel for partygoers to keep going until 2 am.
VERBIER
Hotel Farinet
Place Centrale
T 027 771 6626
A hive of après-ski venues are to be found inside the Farinet, which commands the main square scene. The place to be is on the sun terrace when the huge sliding roof is rolled back. It features live bands every day throughout the season. Or head inside to relax at The Casbah, a bar with a North African Bedouin tent décor, or to the lounge bar to listen to soothing DJ grooves from the UK’s famous Hed Kandi compilation label.
ZERMATT
Elsie’s
Kirchplatz 16
T 027 967 2431
This cute wooden chalet with its Walliser-style rooms has long been a favourite amongst the resort’s chic clientele. Pull out your mink to mingle with the jet set sipping Elsie’s legendary—and rather dangerous—Irish coffee. Or nibble on the above-average après-ski snacks such as spaghetti with caviar or French oysters.
ZERMATT
Hotel Post
Bahnhofstrasse 41
T 027 967 1931
The Postli, as the locals call it, has so many bars and nightclubs under one roof that its après-ski scene alone is livelier than that of some entire resort towns. Its basement-level Broken Bar disco has locals dancing on wine barrels to ’80s hits whilst Papa Caesar’s cocktail bar keeps the party spirit but with a touch more sophistication.
ZERMATT
Papperla Pub
Steinmattstrasse 24
It’s usually the first stop in Zermatt for cold beer, hot chocolate and getting chatty with the international bold and beautiful who frequent this cosy spot in the centre of town. Downstairs the Schneewitchen nightclub and dance floor are packed with a very glam but fun crowd.
MULTIPLE RESORTS
Igloo Bars
Davos-Klosters, Engelberg, Gstaad, Zermatt
Literally après-ski thanks to their on-mountain locations, these quirky bars built out of ice blocks feature snow sculptures and “bar Inuits” to serve you tasty snacks and beverages. If you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s worth booking in advance for a gourmet fondue. The bars are part of the Igloo Village Hotels, which make for an unforgettable overnight experience at around zero degrees. Except, perhaps, for those in the “Romantik Suite,” which boasts a private whirlpool open to the starry night sky. Steamy.
Comments
Total comments: 1 | Add to the discussion.
And yet, none of these Swiss Apres Ski bars comes anywhere near the fun, quality and party atmosphere of almost any Austrian Apres Ski bar.
Tell us what you think
All fields are required, but your e-mail address will not be displayed. Please be civil.