Après-Ski, Done Right

I've always heard Europe is the capitol of après-ski festivities. Living and skiing in Vermont for four years, I've never experienced a true après-ski. Sure, there are bars near any self-respecting ski area, and of course you can get a criminally overpriced beer in any base lodge, but that's not an après-ski by European standards. 
No, in order to qualify here you need to have a ski-in-ski-out, full-on rager. With live entertainment. And champagne being sprayed right and left into the crowd. And people dancing on tables. In their boots. That's very important; under no circumstances during the duration of the party may your boots come off. Just another reason I was overjoyed that I had opted to bring my touring boots instead of my race boots.

Welcome to Crazytown.

Notice that there are both a singer and a sax player. On a roof. 

This particular fiesta (or fête if you want to be French about it) is only accessible if you're on skis/snowboard. Or are prepared to hike many vertical meters just to go to a party. Just be sure to leave on time, as the lift you need to take to get back to the resort closes at 17:00. And the only other way back is a 40€ cab ride from Val d'Isére. Nej tak.

Friends from the hotel.

Blending right in with the locals.

Pictured: Carnage.

Nothing to see here. Just a horse getting funky.