Ski resorts are famed for their apres ski nightlife

Whether you like a quiet post-piste pint or are looking to party into the early hours, here’s a handy guide to which resorts boast the best nightlife in the Alps:

St Anton am Arlberg, Austria: Ski hard and party harder…

Best bars: One of the world’s most famous après ski bars is Mooserwirt, located a stone’s throw away from the main run. Reputedly dispensing more beer than any other bar in Austria, Mooserwirt fills up with revellers in the afternoons and stays full until it closes its doors at 8pm. Be warned: you have to ski down the mountain when you leave! Krazy Kangurah (KK) is also a well-known slope-side hotspot; in fact it was the resort’s very first après ski bar, which opened in 1965! Open from 10am until 8pm, you’ll find great views from its sunny terrace, and the largest open-air dance floor in the resort, where you can throw shapes to the resident DJ’s beats until the stars come out.

Best nightclubs: For those that are out for the long-haul, The Kandahar, Post Keller and The Funky Chicken are popular nightspots.

Val d’Isere, France:Famed for its après ski fun…

Best bars: Grand Marnier, where every drink, from coffee to vin chaud, comes with a generous Grand Marnier addition and Saloon, which is popular both for après ski and for later in the evening, are good places to start. For live music head to The Moris Pub, which has a live band every evening from 5-7pm, as well as Folie Douce which has live music daily from 3pm until 5pm. Sports fans should check out Pacific Bar.

Best nightclubs: Dick’s Tea Bar is somewhat of an institution in Val d’Isere, open from 4pm until the early hours. They even have their own shuttle bus, ferrying skiers from the bottom of La Daille straight to the venue. You can enjoy everything from a quick mulled wine in the cosy après ski bar, to a full-on night out in the nightclub, which opens at around 12.30pm. This season Dick’s Tea Bar will be hosting an ‘After Dinner Club’, hosting  a selection of international elite DJs which will play a variety of 70s and 80s music that later will lead into live saxophone and percussion performances. Le Petiti Danois and Bluenote are also popular late-night venues, and for big-name DJ’s head to La Doudoune.

Verbier, Switzerland: The après ski capital of the Swiss Alps…

Best bars: Farinet’s après ski bar has won awards and it’s the only place in Verbier that showcases live bands every day, throughout the season. With an extensive shot list, huge sliding roof and commanding position over the main square, it’s not to be missed. The Offshore Coffee Bar at Médran, Le Carrefour and The Big Ben pub are also popular venues for a post-piste drink.

Best nightclubs: Visit Pub Mont Fort’s legendary shots bar where the ‘shot master’ creates a new shot every night, or party the night away at the North African-themed Casbah nightclub in Farinet. Celeb-spotters should head to the legendary Farm Club, which has entertained snowsport-enthusiasts in style since 1971; it’s the place to ‘see and be seen’ in Verbier.

Ischgl, Austria: The ‘Ibiza of the Alps’…

Best bars: Schatzi Bar at the Elisabeth Hotel, located right at the exit of the main ski run, is where the après ski party starts. Between 4pm and 7pm, scantily-clad girls in traditional Tyrolean dresses entertain the crowds in this traditional chalet-style venue. Next door, the Ice Bar – the largest heated ice bar in the Alps – is also worth a visit, as is Trofana Alm, a big wooden barn with a traditional Austrian band.

Best nightclubs: Pascha, the winter version of the well-known Ibiza nightclub, is one of party hotspots in Ischgl, where revellers dress to impress. Housed in the design Hotel Madlein, It’s well-known as a celeb hideout and Paris Hilton even threw her birthday party here. The hotel’s other in-house bar/club is Coyote Ugly which is also popular. Like in the film of the same name starring Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia, you’ll find plenty of catchy rhythms and tabletop dancing here. If you’re looking for a civilised upmarket evening, head to the cocktail bar Guxa.

Meribel, France: The party hotspot of the Three Valleys…

Best bars: The Rond Point is where most of the après ski action takes place. It’s open from 9am until 7.30pm for skiers to enjoy live music, raucous dancing and great food. Just down the road, Le Coeur de Cristal, with a live DJ, is another popular choice.

Best nightclubs: New this season is La Foile Douce (which also has branches in al Thorens and Val d’Isère). With over 1,000sqm2 of restaurant, bar, stage and sun deck, La Folie Douce Meribel will offer the traditional elements of what skiers have come to expect such as superb food and a vast drinks menu, with a number of new elements including the unveiling of a very glamorous cabaret show.

Tignes, France: Three villages with no shortage of nightlife…

Best bars: Some of the most popular après ski venues include Le Loop Bar at the foot of the slopes in Le Lac, where you’ll find a sunny terrace, live sports and eclectic music; the Brit-friendly Scotty’s in Le Lavachet; and La Grotte du Yeti – a popular Dutch bar where you can party ‘til 2am. Discerning après skiers should head to the upmarket Le Lavachet Lounge and Alpaka Lodge for cocktails.

Best nightclubs: For those that want to party until the early hours, Tignes has four nightclubs to keep you entertained: Jack’s Club and Winter Clubb in Le Lac and Melting Pot and Blue Girl in Val Claret.