For many skiers, some of the most magical moments happen after that final run of the day. Clearing snow off your boots during your ski vacation and swapping your skis for a warm drink rounds off hours on the slopes and makes après-ski just as special as your time on the trails.
Rooftop bars and mountain-view restaurants can easily become key attractions in their own right. Here’s a look at why heading to a bar with a great vantage point can enhance your winter break.
The appeal of rooftop venues in alpine destinations
Rooftop venues have always been popular – after all, the penthouse is the best for a reason. But there’s something special about après-ski surrounded by mountains. Being at the top of a venue provides an entirely different perspective on the surrounding peaks, lifting you above the bustling resort and the village below.
These elevated spaces catch the final rays of afternoon sun, allowing you a perfect vantage point as you perch on a stool or recline on a sofa surrounded by fire pits and heated glass walls while sipping a crisp glass of local wine.
Ski resorts offering spectacular mountain-view terraces
Val Thorens in France leads the way. This is already the highest resort in the Trois Vallées and is filled with rooftop terraces and outdoor space where you can enjoy dramatic views while you dine.
In Austria, the high-altitude resort of Sölden boasts the spectacular ice Q restaurant, a futuristic glass structure sitting 3,048 metres above sea level atop the Gaislachkogl peak. Verbier in Switzerland also attracts visitors to its sleek hotel rooftops, where you can gaze at the Combins massif.
If you want to experience these views, book your table at least two weeks in advance during peak weeks like February half-term to secure the best views.
Finding great ski experiences without overspending
You don’t need a huge budget to enjoy these elevated alpine views. Booking cheap ski holidays at off-peak times or when there are offers available allows you to indulge in panoramic terraces.
To save money while you dine at these venues, check for mid-week happy hours or look for mountain peaks accessible by pedestrian lift passes, which cost significantly less than full ski passes. Researching independent mountain huts just off the main commercial circuits also provides hidden terraces with reasonable menu prices.
Those who love a skiing holiday will know that there’s been a real shift towards relaxation, with resorts prioritising that balance between high-adrenaline activity on the slopes and gentle evenings spent enjoying the scenery over a drink.
Rooftop bars and scenic spaces provide the perfect setting to appreciate alpine landscapes, making them an increasingly important part of the ski travel experience. The best ski destinations now offer experiences that continue long after the lifts have stopped running.
