Here’s Where To Get Your Après Ski Fix In London
Been a while since you’ve made it to a ski resort or stayed in a ski chalet in the mountains? Fear not, because you can still get cosy with firepits, fondue, and warming cocktails at one of London’s après ski pop-ups.
From twinkling lights and mulled wine, to oozing raclette and boozy hot chocolate, strap on your ski boots and swoosh on over to these après ski bars this winter. Ski you at the bar…
The Best Alpine Lodges In London
Tipis On The Green
Charming alpine retreat Tipis on the Green is Fulham’s newest Christmas pop-up. This cosy bar and restaurant draws inspiration from alpine ski chalets, offering fire pit tables, indulgent tartiflette, and Baileys hot chocolate.
More than just a festive retreat, this is London’s first sustainable Christmas pop-up, promoting community and conscious choices. Get involved with activities like wreath making and clothing repair workshops, and book into events like raclette evenings and bottomless margarita brunches and celebrate the festive season in (sustainable) style.
Where: Parsons Green, London SW6 4UL
Website:www.tipisonthegreen.uk
Deck The Halls at Pergola Paddington
Bringing the alpine spirit to London this winter, Pergola Paddington’s ‘Deck The Halls’ transformation will transport you to a cosy alpine retreat with stunning snow-dusted pines and twinkling lights.
Whether you’re partying in the heated Alpine Hall, chilling on the Polar Express Terrace, or enjoying a private Christmas Chalet, expect cheerful Christmas singalongs, gluttonous feasts, and magical Gospel Choir performances. There’s also a dedicated drinks menu featuring mulled wine, hot toddies, Pravha pilsner, and indulgent hot chocolate.
WHERE: 5 KINGDOM ST, LONDON W2 6PY
WEBSITE:WWW.PERGOLAPADDINGTON.COM
Fire & Fromage at Jimmy’s Lodge
Jimmy Garcia’s South Bank lodges are returning for 2023 with ‘Fire and Fromage’, a homage to unbeatable mountain hospitality, celebrating the best food The Alps has to offer as you cosy up around fire pits with unlimited raclette. For £35pp, you’ll get a mulled cider or Black Cow Smash on arrival, followed by unlimited Savoyard raclette with sourdough baguettes, new potatoes with confit garlic, mixed leaf salad, pickles and mixed charcuterie. For dessert, it’s white chocolate ice-cream with a ginger brandy snap and mulled wine reduction.
There’s also Jimmy’s famous igloos to cosy up in, of course. Accommodating up to ten guests, the famous globes sit right on the banks of the Thames, with stunning views across the river and quality food, which surely makes the £650 minimum spend per snow globe worth it.
Where: The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 8XX
Website:www.jimmyspopup.com
Winterland
The seasons have dramatically changed at Fulham’s Winterland. The Neverland riverside destination has morphed from Balearic isle-themed white sands and day beds into a full-on Alpine experience. From forest igloos and alpine lodges to winter chalets and Bavarian tents, the whole place has been given an impressive mountain makeover. You can even dine in a ski lift!
With resident DJs, seasonal serves and plenty of igloos, this is the ultimate après ski retreat.
Where: Neverland, Wandsworth Bridge Rd., London SW6 2TY
Website:www.neverlandlondon.com
The Montague on the Gardens Ski Lodge
The Montague on the Gardens is back with their Ski Lodge for another year, and it’s looking better than ever. Just steps from Bloomsbury Street, the hotel has transformed their terrace from a summer beach bar to an alpine lodge complete with ski racks, snowmen and pine trees. There’s even falling snow.
But between the reindeer, piste maps, and strings of fairy lights forming the décor, you can also enjoy a taste of the mountains too, with après-themed drinks including 12 different flavours of schnapps and chilled vodka. Ski snacks will be plentiful, with candied pecans, mulled wine, hot spiced cider and mugs of steaming hot chocolate cocktails free-flowing.
Available for exclusive hire, or for hotel residents (although, you might get lucky as a walk-in), guests will get to indulge in alpine nibbles – think mini turkey schnitzel, bratwurst sausage and deep-fried camembert. Stay warm with blankets, snuggled by the fire in a true chalet-like experience.
Where: 15 Montague St, London WC1B 5BJ
Website:www.montaguehotel.com
Archer Street
Archer Street’s underground beach bar totally flip themes come wintertime and embraces the alps in all their glory. Its annual transformation takes the bar from beach shack to après ski lodge for a boozy party mountain-style, and of course, they call it ‘Piste’.
Out with the palms and coconuts, and in with the antlers, fur-lined loungers and winter cocktails for a dreamy alpine escape – not to forget the delicious cheese and charcuterie plates. It’s the perfect après-ski atmosphere for all those missing the slopes.
Where: 3-4 Archer St, London W1D 7AP
Website: www.archerstreet.co.uk
Chalet Suisse at Somerset House
Forget après-ski; at Somerset House this winter you can experience après-skate. The annual skating rink plays centre stage at the iconic venue, dominating the famous courtyard. But stage-left, you’ll find an equally compelling draw with Chalet Suisse.
Brought to you by Jimmy’s Pop Up, the West Wing has been transformed into a chalet experience with a seasonal menu of cosy winter favourites, including four different kinds of fondue (traditional, wild mushroom, black truffle, or vegan); the Confit Duck Bun with confit duck leg, gruyere cheese, pickles, truffle emulsion, onion chutney and crispy potatoes in a brioche bun; and The Swiss Waffle with salted caramel sauce, vanilla cream, kirsch-soaked cherries and cherry ice cream.
Where: Strand, Greater, London WC2R 1LA
Website:www.jimmyspopup.com
The Winter Garden at Corinthia London
An oasis in the heart of the city, The Corinthia’s Winter Garden was made for warm and comfortable alpine dining. Flipping from their summertime, Mediterranean garden theme, they’ve now switched to a seasonal wintery offering complete with elegant planting, festive lights, warm blankets and hot water bottles, as well as two cosy fireplaces.
Among the dishes is warm raclette with new potatoes and pickled vegetables, and drinks-wise, there’s cocktails like a pear bellini and winter negroni, and hot drinks like mulled wine, and our favourite – boozy hot chocolate.
Where: Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
Website:www.corinthia.com
The Log Cabin at The Montague On The Gardens
Step into a winter wonderland at The Log Cabin, where the Garden Terrace has been magically transformed into an elegant alpine retreat. With a festive bar and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, guests can nestle into cosy armchairs and sofas for a drink by the flickering fire.
The Log Cabin is exclusively available for hire or reserved for hotel residents – perfect for an intimate festive gathering or a festive staycations in the city.
Where: 15 Montague St, London WC1B 5BJ
Website: www.montaguehotel.com