Well, that’s probably not true, but having had a huge tribe of mates staying in our chalet last week, après was obligatory. Every single day. And that got me thinking… there’s a brilliantly varied après scene in Morzine. Of course, that’s not news to me, and it’s probably not news to you either, but it does present us with a conundrum. With so much going on every single night, how the heck do you choose where to go? So here’s my seven night après planner!
SATURDAY!
An après rule: Take it steady. You’ve probably had a long journey if you’ve just arrived in town and tomorrow is your first day on the hill – don’t waste it. Staying local is the key. If you’re in the centre of Morzine, head to Chez Roger on the Rue du Bourg. In Montriond, head to La Barque for a social few. If you’re some distance from the pub, open a bottle instead.
SUNDAY!
An après rule: Go big. You’ll most likely be stoked after a bold first day and a regulatory Mutzig is required in Bar Robinson to celebrate. But Bar Robinson is only open until 7pm for a reason. That’s when they believe ‘apres’ officially ends. By then you might be too knackered to continue, or you’ll manage the few short steps to the Dixie Bar for a few more. If that’s not big enough, Café Chaud’s Sunday nights are a sweaty, crowded pit of drum and bass, starting from Midnight.
MONDAY!
An après rule: Live music is important. The Pistie Boys are an absolute ‘must see’ in Morzine this winter. They play at Le Tibetan from 5pm on a Monday afternoon (and on a Wednesday actually…). A proper après band with a crowd pleasing front man, they whip up a brilliant atmosphere in the bar until around 8pm. You won’t see the Pistie Boys anywhere else in Morzine this winter.
TUESDAY!
An après rule: Not everything happens in the centre of Morzine. Bar La Barque in Montriond have some cracking bands each and every Tuesday during the winter season from 6.30pm. It’s not the biggest bar in the world, that much is true, but its brilliantly good fun and last week the band Lucid were incredible. La Barque is just a 20 minute walk from Morzine. When you’re wearing your beer coat, that’s not far at all.
WEDNESDAY!
An après rule: Stay in your ski / snowboard boots. Then you’ll fit right in as you charge through the mental crowds on the huge heated terrace at Le Tremplin at the bottom of the Pleney piste in the centre of the resort. The Basscamp après party is the biggest, most unmissable après party of the week in Morzine. With live DJs between 4pm and 8pm, and a guarantee that this night WILL get messy, don’t be planning an early start tomorrow.
THURSDAY!
An après rule: The Cavern isn’t always a cheese fest. One of the biggest, busiest bands in Morzine are CAB Collective and they play après at the Cavern from 5pm every Thursday. Expect a load of acoustic mash-ups, brilliant vocals from lead singer John and a rum fueled stumble home at the end.
FRIDAY!
An après rule: You’ve survived. Celebrate. Not only have you completed a weeks worth of skiing or snowboarding, but you’ve passed the après test too. A bar crawl is in order. Bar Robinson for a Mutzig, Chez Roger for wine, Mammas Takeaway across the road for a stomach lining, then to Le Crepu for one. Haka Bar around the corner (because it’s handy…) then down to Le Tibetan. If you’re still standing, down the few steps into the wonderful world of the Cavern. If you’re off back to Blighty in the morning, dance like there’s no tomorrow…
A public safety announcement… (because it’s important)
Drink responsibly and if you’ve been riding all day, drink copious amounts of water too.
Always take a jacket out with you at night. Hypothermia isn’t pleasant.
Be a lover not a fighter. We don’t really like aggression in Morzine!
Bon apres!
