If you’ve been on a ski holiday before, you’ll know that apres-ski is a huge part of the ski-resort culture and is often one of the most memorable parts of your trip, that is – if you can still remember it the next morning! Apres-ski literally means ‘after-ski’ and is used to describe the time spent socialising in bars and restaurants after a fun day on the mountain. Essentially, it’s a great way to keep the good times rolling even after you’ve finished up on the slopes. Read on to find out where’s good and what’s on in Grandvalira!
Pas de la Casa
It would be impossible to talk about apres-ski in Grandvalira without talking about Pas de la Casa, which is known for its lively atmosphere and a wide variety of bars and restaurants. No matter what you’re into, there’s something for everyone.
Coll Blanc
Start your apres-ski early by enjoying a few drinks on Coll Blanc terrace before making your final run of the day into resort.
What’s on:
- Happy hour (2-4-1) and DJ every day between 3pm and 5pm.
Don’t forget, you can also use your lunch vouchers here!
Night-skiing on the Tubs blue run
Although technically not ‘apres-ski’, on Thursdays and Saturdays from 5pm to 8pm, (weather conditions permitting) the Tubs blue run is illuminated and the Solana chairlift continues to run, allowing you to get in an extra few runs of the day.
This brings us to our first stop, Olimpiades…
Olimpiades Restaurant & Snack Bar
Conveniently located on the side of the slopes, Olimpiades is the perfect place to stop on your final run of the day, just in time to enjoy some live music and 2-4-1 beers during their apres ski happy hour.
New this season, their large outdoor terrace area outside the Olimpiades Snack Bar is now covered and heated, so now you can enjoy a few beers outside whilst soaking up the atmosphere.
Olimpiades Restaurant is located downstairs on the lower terrace, so why not end your apres-ski session with some live music from Karl and a delicious home-cooked meal?
What’s on:
- Live music from Karl in Olimpiades Restaurant from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Monday to Friday
- Apres-ski events and DJ Matt Handy in the Olimpiades Snack Bar on Monday’s, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the season.
- Curry night on Wednesdays: Curry and ride with a glass of wine/beer for €13
- Fish and Chips night on Fridays: Fish and chips with a glass of wine/beer for €13
Don’t forget to download your Olimpiades discount voucher to receive your first round of drinks free when your group orders dinner (see voucher for full terms and conditions)
Paddy’s Irish Bar
Paddy’s Irish Bar is one of the most popular choices for apres-ski among Brits and Irish for plenty of good reasons! – Fantastic live music, affordable drinks, pool tables (upstairs) and good, cheap ‘pub grub’ (served until 6pm).
What’s on:
- Live music every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm
- ‘Get your Rocks off’ live music every Thursday at 9pm. Buy a wristband from the bar staff for €10 which allows you free drinks (lagers and local spirits only) from 9pm to 10pm.
Enjoy an extended happy hour between 7pm and 9pm, or receive 10% off food when you present our Paddy’s discount vouchers (see voucher for terms and conditions). There are also discount vouchers available for Paddy’s sister bars: The Red Lion and The Dubliner.
Underground Bar
Newly refurbished for this season, the Underground Bar has a lively character – just like the bar manager, Ben, and his team. Open until the early hours of the morning, the Underground Bar is a great spot for those who don’t want their apres-ski session to end.
What’s on:
- Happy hour (2-4-1 drinks) every day from 5pm – 6pm and 9pm – 10:30pm
- Live music every day (except Monday) from 5:30pm to 9pm
- Karaoke Jam Sessions: Tuesday nights from 8pm to 12pm
Hungry after all that skiing and partying? Why not pop across the road and enjoy dinner at the Underground Sports Bar & Grill? – all meats are cooked on the open grill, and there’s veggie options too! Download the Underground Bar & Grill discount vouchers here.
Soldeu
Soldeu might be a smaller resort than Pas de la Casa, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up in atmosphere and great apres-ski events.
The Harp
If you’ve heard of Soldeu, you’ve definitely heard of The Harp. This well-loved, family-owned Irish bar is a popular venue for live-music lovers, football-table fanatics, and pool players. Whether you’re coming as a family, couple or group of friends, The Harp staff will give you a warm welcome and a great time.
What’s on:
- Live music with Cormac every day from 10pm
- ‘Sharon Lunas tunes’ (live music) every Monday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
- Live music with the lovely co-owner, Mikey, every Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm
- ‘Trad’ night with Bruce – traditional Scottish and Irish music from 5:30pm on Wednesdays and Sundays
- ‘Snowboard Party’ on Friday nights – enter in the raffle to be in with a chance of winning a snowboard, courtesy of Slidewayz – Soldeu’s local snowsports shop, plus the famous table-football tournament!
Barcode
Owned by the wonderful Jude, Barcode boasts a fantastic terrace area with views of the slopes, including the black Avet piste which will be a key focus of the FIS World Cup Finals taking place this March (hint hint!).
Barcode is a popular choice amongst the Brits and Irish, but also amongst tourists and locals from all over the world – Spain, Argentina, France, Chile. There’s table-football and pool tables to keep you entertained for hours – that’s if you don’t lose track of time chatting away with the lovely bar staff!
What’s on:
- Sunday night open mic jam session from 8:30pm
- Live music on Tuesday night from 9pm.
- ‘Conga after work sessions’ (DJ set) on Wednesday from 5pm
- Live music with ski instructor band, Missin Digit, on Thursdays from 5pm
- Live music with Barney on Fridays from 5pm
- Saturday night Mountain Music Techno (DJ) from 9pm to 2am
- BBQ’s on the terrace from 3pm throughout the season (weather permitting)
Fat Alberts
Fondly known by tourists as ‘Fatty’s’, Fat Alberts is located in a rustic 300-year-old barn in the heart of the village. It’s a popular spot with locals and tourists alike thanks to its friendly staff, great atmosphere and live music from the happy-go-lucky, infamous, ski-instructor band: The Shambles. Prepare yourself for an evening of fun and memorable nights!
What’s on:
- The Shambles ski instructor sing-a-long-band providing fun for all the family on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm.
- Live music from ‘Soldeu’s one man band’ Ian Taylor on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30pm.
- Missin Digit – Soldeu’s premium rock (ski instructor) band on Fridays at 10pm
Download our discount vouchers for Fat Albert’s here and treat yourself to Fatty’s delicious menu in the restaurant downstairs.
The Aspen
The Aspen in Soldeu’s biggest pub, complete with table-football tables, pool tables and several large screens which show all the current live sports games.
What’s on
- Don’t miss the Aspen’s Beer Pong tournament on Wednesday’s from 5:30pm
– 2 player teams, €5 entry each, 1st place cash prize and 2nd place bar tab. To enter, see Max at the bar. - Electro Thursdays from 11pm – ok, so it’s not quite apres, but you’ll love the atmosphere as the Aspen gets completely packed out with people enjoying the music!
- Live music from Missin Digit throughout the season.
El Tarter
L’Abarset
L’Abarset is internationally renowned for its lively apres-ski parties on the terrace, with appearances throughout the season by well-known DJs and artists of international standing. If you’re looking for great beats and pumping atmosphere, look no further. Don’t forget, L’Abarset is also home to some of the best food in Grandvalira, so make sure you check out the restaurant too if you’re feeling peckish!
What’s on
- DJ sets Saturday nights from 4pm to 9pm – keep an eye out for posters online, in L’Abarset and around Soldeu and El Tarter for more information of upcoming gigs.
Getting around
Make the most of being in Grandvalira – why not ski from Pas de la Casa and end your afternoon in Soldeu, or vice versa? There’s a semi-regular bus service which connects all the resorts in Grandvalira Encamp, Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu and Pas de la Casa.
- Last bus (L3/L4) from El Tarter/Soldeu to Pas de la Casa: 9:45pm (El Tarter) or 9:50pm (Soldeu)
- Last bus (L4) from Pas de la Casa to Soldeu: 9:20pm.