Enjoying Chamonix’s Buzzing Nightlife

As one of the most popular and visited ski resorts in the Alps, Chamonix can be a hard sell to those who want a quiet and peaceful ski holiday - such as older couples or families with young children. To those on the lookout for a dynamic and animated après-ski scene, however, Chamonix should be high on the list! The resort is well connected, thanks to Geneva airport transfers, it has a wide variety of accommodation, and it welcomes both beginners and advanced skiers - and anyone in between.

Ski Hard and Party Harder

This seems to be the motto of the great majority of Chamonix’s visitors, and the atmosphere is contagious. The après-ski scene in this resort has a very international flair but, often surprisingly for some people who have skied at other resorts nearby, the action takes place in Chamonix town or Argentière, rather than on the mountains. In fact, your Geneva airport transfer service will probably drive through the streets that later come alive after dark. There's certainly plenty of music, food, and drinks on offer to those wanting to reward themselves after an exhausting day on the slopes.

Due to the distance between the pistes and the nucleus of the après-ski scene, don’t expect the ski-boots-on kind of après-ski found in Austria, for example. Instead, Chamonix’s après-ski is at its best in the evening, when the ski boots are off and the comfortable shoes are on, and hordes of visitors wander the town’s streets on the search for the liveliest party and the best drinks.

Beer Enthusiasts, This One Is For You!

A five-minute walk from the town centre is the Micro Brewery de Chamonix (MBC). This Canadian-owned microbrewery is a very popular après-ski stop, and rightly so. Its thirst-quenching beer is brewed on the premises with the finest hops, malts, and yeasts and without any additives or preservatives. Moreover, the MBC’s live music and bar snacks are equally enjoyable.

Another great gem is The Vagabond, a bar that caters to a friendly and upbeat crowd. If the weather is good, you can sit on a southwest-facing terrace and enjoy a wonderful view of Mont Blanc, Le Brévent, and Les Aiguilles Rouges. Otherwise, you can snuggle up in front of a roaring open log fire and enjoy the happy hour and decently-priced bar food.

If the Décor Has to Be Just Right, Head This Way

Often, après-ski drinking locations are not renowned for their on-point décor. There are few venues in Chamonix, however, that may surprise you in this regard. Le Privilege, for example, is one of the resort’s most chic bars. With an interior that boasts an eclectic mixture of African-sourced furnishings and local wood, together with a contemporary glass bar and illuminated drink shelves, Le Privilege also has regular live music and alfresco dining when the weather allows.

Chamonix in a Nutshell

One of the most visited and best-loved ski resorts in central Europe, Chamonix has plenty of reasons to be at the top of the list for a hugely enjoyable ski holiday. Not only is it fantastically located a short drive away from Geneva, airport transfers are easily available upon landing and it offers something to every type of traveller - whether it be someone travelling solo looking to meet new people or a group of friends chasing long-lasting memories.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Geneva airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.