Being a teenager in Turin, meant lots of weekends in the mountains and lots of partying apres skiing.
From Livigno, a resort towards the Italian Riviera, to Courmayeur, at the base of Mont Blanc. Here are some favorite Apres Ski locations we have collected over the years. In the Western Alps of Piedmont and Aosta Valley.
Livigno is THE party town, with over 150 drinking places, you can choose what will give you that adorable mood tomorrow morning. Head to the base of the Carosello 3000 gondola to the Stalet bar, and decide which venues you’re heading to next if you don’t like huge crowds and dancing on the tables. Try Kuhstall, an amazing cellar bar where you can go from a calm drink to a mad dash to the dance floor. Go to Daphne’s if you didn’t have enough Bombardinos during the day. The resort’s duty-free status helps make bars affordable too, and there is no shortage of sophisticated places, particularly in the hotels, for a quieter time.;
Salice D’ Ulzio, AKA Sauze D’Oulx, was a huge destination for British kids when we were kids ourselves. The long-closed Andy Capp bar was a staple and morning skiing was great, because everyone was hungover or was experiencing the morning sickness of an unwanted pregnancy that kind of debauchery often provided with. Today is a slightly more chill place. With several lively bars, on and off the slopes, live music and dancing.
Try Moncrons for cocktails and beers and the Derby, for fireplace ambiance and wine.
Capanna Mollino’s, just a few steps from the slopes, offers big plates of pasta, bombardinos and comfy seating.
We are assuming you know what a Bombardino is. If not, please read this entry but as a reminder, we are talking about brandy, eggnog and finishing of cream.
While still affordable, the scene is more discreet and sophisticated now and as an added bonus, free snacks are on offer in many bars.
Head to Capanna Mollino in Sportinia for live music and dancing on the terrace, please refrain from doing it naked, it has been done before and did not end well. Village Café is right at the arrival of the Clotes access chairlift, great for happy hour, crowded often but very spacious inside. Go to Il Lampione for a quiet drink, and a great selection of Italian wines, including all of the Piedmontese kings and barons: Barolo, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Barbaresco, the basement is particularly cute and cozy, with stone columns and a vaulted ceiling.
Courmayeur
Well, there is no place like Curma (as the locals call it), apres ski is appreciated in the charming downtown, at mid-mountain until midnight since the lift running from town up to Plan Chécrouit is open late or in many of the surrounding little villages. Most bars take the time of the day quite seriously and serve extensive complimentary antipasti alongside spritzes, wines and local beers.
SuperG, is a cool spot up by Plan Checrouit, drinks are fabulous on the large and often glamorous terrace in the evening. Head over to Ristorante Christiania, for the house ravioli. - or try Chiecco’s famous strudel. Catch a ride on a snowmobile to the door of Maison Vieiile Refuge, for a night toast. Visit Maison St. Jean, where is located the best wine cellar in Courmayeur. Close the night at The Club, only expensive for some and a total waste of money for others hosts regular shows from guest DJs. It's located out of town in the neighboring village of Dolonne in a building designed by architect Marco Lucchi, the name behind the Billionaire Club at Porto Cervo in Sardinia. So if being ostentatious is what makes you tick, you would be in the right place. I’d rather round it all off at the oldest bar in town, Caffe Posta, sitting back by the fireplace with a glass of something strong, chatting away the ski day that just was.
At Verticalife we organize adventures all across the Western Alps, that being skiing, trekking, biking or Climbing and mountaineering. We have tours in Aosta Valley and Piedmont that would make you very happy, both during the day as we slave away surrounded by the splendor of the Italian alps and in the evening when it’s time to relax, sit back and reminisce of the wonderful day we just had.
