Apres Ski | Val d'Isere

Party on the piste. Is this Europe’s hottest après-ski?

Words: Fraser Wilkin

spres ski in the folie douce

© Kirsty Buchanan

Like your après to kick off early? Think that wild slope-side parties are the preserve of Austria? No longer it would seem! Now France has entered the fray and leading the way is Val d’Isere where La Folie Douce - mountain restaurant and self-styled “highest club in Europe” - is causing a bit of a stir.

So what’s the big deal? Have a look at these clips and you’ll get an idea. From an “ordinary” day at the Folie to the full-on mayhem of last New Year’s Eve where “things got a little crazy” (as reported by the Folie’s own film-maker Alex Spieser) the allure of the Folie is plain to see.

The Folie Douce Team

Pretty jovial stuff, no? But behind the fun and frolics lie a talented and highly professional bunch of musicians fronted by the charismatic Kely Starlight, lead singer, entrepreneur and showman extraordinaire (some might even say enfant terrible). In a few short years, Kely and his team have taken the French après-ski scene to another level with their unique brand of live electro-house, dished up daily. What’s more, the Folie is spreading! New this year is La Folie Douce - Val Thorens: same format, different team, more mayhem – and soon other resorts may also be in the frame. Watch this space.