Chamonix Apres Ski

Apres Ski in Chamonix

Chamonix has restaurants serving almost every type of food imaginable, from authentic Savoyard dishes to Italian, Japanese, French, Thai, and Indian. There are plenty of bars and clubs in the town too. In the valley, it’s much quieter and there’s less choice, but there’s still fun to be had, particularly in Argentiere and Les Houches. And there is a much wider range of activities for non-skiers in Chamonix than in most ski resorts.

Restaurants, bars and clubs in Chamonix

Restaurants

The Gault Milau-rated Le Chaudron is probably the best for local specialities though it is very small, so book ahead. Alternatively try Le National. If you have overdosed on traditional Savoyard cheese dishes, Munchie is the perfect restaurant to visit excellent for Thai and modern European fusion that won’t hurt your wallet. The fresh sushi served at Satsuki is another good alternative to Savoyard overload – the lunch-time menu is a bargain. For Italian food, Cassa Nonna in Les Aiglons hotel is recommended. For excellent fish dishes try the French formality of L’Atmosphere restaurant.

The Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (MBC) is a good choice for more casual dining with a menu of burgers, Thai curry and pleasing appetisers. Often overlooked by the tourist crowds it is well-known by the guiding community and seasonnaire population so book a table before you go. Back in town Casa Valeria is the top choice for pizzas and pasta – the Dolce Vita next-door deals well with the over-spill of customers unable to get a table. If you can’t quite handle a fondue for lunch the popular Bistrot des Sports does a good menu of salads and simple French dishes including a reasonably priced ‘plat du jour’. There are plenty of places for take-away food too.

For full, up-to-date listings, see the Restaurants section of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc Tourist Board website.

Bars and Clubs

There are over 30 bars and clubs open from late afternoon until the early hours. Just about every taste and budget is catered for, from sports bars to live music venues, and from cosy pubs to smart wine bars. There are proper nightclubs too for those who want to dance through the night.

Apres-Ski bars in Chamonix have a different rhythm to those in other major European ski resorts. Skiers are scattered across so many different areas across the valley that most of the action happens back in the town rather than up on the slopes. Even La Folie Douce, the famous chain of Apres-Ski Bars, has had to adapt its approach: rather than follow its standard formula of having a venue half-way up the mountain packed with skiers dancing on table tops in their ski boots, it has a trendy hotel down in Chamonix, with a bar and nightclub attached.

But if Apres-Ski just means relaxing in a deckchair with a drink watching the sun go down, then that does happen on the slopes. And Planpraz, nearly 1000m above Chamonix but only one ski lift away, is a near perfect location, with gorgeous views across the valley and lots of sunshine.

For full up-to-date listings of bars and clubs in Chamonix, see the Bars and Nightlife section of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc Tourist Board website.

Restaurants and bars in Argentiere

Argentiere’s few restaurants and bars heave in the peak season weeks and it is best to reserve a table at popular places such as The Stone Bar, which a popular choice for good pizzas and pub games with beer. The Office Bar by the Tourist Office is another hub of apres ski resort life in Argentiere, with both a bar (often showing football and rugby games) and a restaurant. The Rencard in the Commercial Galerie appeals to seasonnaires with its down-at-heel charm and reasonably-priced food, while The Rusticana, better known as Rusty, on Rue Charlet has a welcoming feel and also sometimes has live bands playing. And of course there are restaurants in the hotels. For full up-to-date listings, see the Argenitiere section of the Argentiere section of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc Tourist Board website.

Restaurants and bars elsewhere in the Chamonix Valley

Some of the best eating experiences are found away from Chamonix’s town centre, in the outlying villages of Vallorcine, Le Buet and Les Praz. One of the nicest is La Ferme des Trois Ours over the Col des Montets in Vallorcine. Still a working farm – the cows live beneath the restaurant – diners choose between Savoyarde favourites and excellent beef dishes. Another good choice is Sarpé, tucked away in the woods behind Les Praz, and known by a lucky few for its wonderful menu, including a daily selection of fresh fish. Also in Les Praz, the restaurant at the Hotel Eden has a loyal following. For full up-to-date listings, see the Valley section of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc Tourist Board website.

Activities for Non-Skiers in Chamonix

There is a truly amazing choice of non-ski activities. In Chamonix

For those who want to keep active, there’s Nordic skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, paragliding tobogganing and riding the Alpine Coaster Luge on rails.

Then there is the sightseeing. Expeditions to the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace are just as popular for pedestrians as for skiers.

Sports fans can watch ski jumping and ice hockey, as well as ski races and Freeride and Freestyle competitions.

To keep people occupied in town, there’s a casino, a micro-brewery, a coffee & chocolate factory, wine tasting bars and a mineralogical museum. There are also more shops than you would find in a conventional ski resort, including designer boutiques and delicatessens specialising in local cheeses and charcuterie.

Or you can just sit back and relax in one of several spas, saunas and wellness centres.

But perhaps the most popular activity is just wandering around the town, gazing up at the majestic scenery.

To see the full range of activities and prices see the Activities section of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc Tourist Board Website.