Après-ski : Tea Time or Happy Hour?

In the Valley, beer is best enjoyed locally sourced, craft-brewed, and as refreshing as your icy cheeks at the end of the day.

First stop: Big Mountain. Yet another story that started in a garage and became a success story… And yes! Today, Big Mountain is a large, state-of-the-art, and eco-responsible brewery in Cluses, located in the former Le Vagabond guesthouse. It supplies its brand-new Basecamp Bar, just 10 minutes from the Aiguille du Midi cable car. 20 beers (house and guest brews), a casual food menu, and great music. No pressure on the alcohol content; their Nano IPA contains almost no alcohol (0.5%) and is also gluten-free. For truly blissful relaxation, the team has launched Houbl’Eau, three hop-infused sparkling waters.

Second spot, established in 2002: the Chamonix Microbrewery. The what? The MBC, sorry! An institution that brews a core range of six expertly crafted, award-winning beers and regularly releases limited editions. If you're not familiar with brewing, some of the servers behind the bar are also the brewers. Otherwise, just for the name alone, give Jean-Claude Van Cham a try! You can drink right next to the fermentation tanks and grab a burger or poutine (the crew is Canadian, by the way) while listening to live music or watching a hockey game on the big screen. Usually packed, often noisy. Lively!

Last stop, we head to one of the oldest chalets in the centre of Les Houches, now a quintessentially North American brewpub: Le Solerey. For almost 10 years now, they've been brewing their three regular beers on-site. But the team wasn't exactly novices when they settled here in 2018, having been formed in Vancouver in the '90s. And here, they don't just brew beer; they also smoke whole pork ribs or Black Angus brisket, Canadian-style. The meat comes out irresistibly caramelised and meltingly tender, served with a warming BBQ sauce. Add sweet potato fries, a sunny patio, and live music almost every day. Perfect end to the day, that's all folks.

Basecamp Bar Big Mountain - 365, avenue Ravanel le Rouge - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

MBC Micro Brasserie de Chamonix - 350, route du Bouchet - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Le Solerey Brewpub - 81, avenue des Alpages - Les Houches

Chalet 4810 - 191 rue Joseph Valot - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health; consume in moderation.

A few tumbles today, snow up your neck, and skis that took your dignity with them? Come and end your day in a relaxing way…

Tête-à-Thé is a small, peaceful haven perched in Argentière, as warm as its owner, who hails from Spain. Inès Lopez offers vegetarian home-style cooking for lunch that takes you on a culinary journey and serves decadent pastries for afternoon tea, using recipes passed down from her grandfather. If you were hesitant to join the "foam team" in our article, then try their Guinness cake: a dark chocolate and beer cake topped with a snow-white cream cheese frosting. In your cup, choose one of the hundred organic teas from Inès's selection or a fine coffee lovingly roasted by Mokxa.

On your way back down, a stop at Gaufres de Chamonix is a must. This little wooden hut has mastered the art of maximum pleasure; its specialty? Artisanal waffles, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. They're served piping hot, with a dusting of powdered sugar or a cascade of whipped cream. Eat them on the go, with your fingers. Simple, perfect, unbeatable.

Prefer to sit down? Head to Rose du Pont, unmissable with its praline-pink facade. The very best of fine French pastries – Saint-Honoré, Paris-Brest, Merveilleux, Profiteroles… – are served on English-style fine china. Spectacular, just like the decor. A hundred metres away, Joséphine plays the same Belle Époque tune. And since it's far too difficult to choose between artisanal ice cream from the Alps, golden crêpes, or one of the homemade pastries just waiting for you in the window, why not indulge in a café gourmand?

To complete the sweet tour, head up to Servoz. The Maison du Lieutenant hides a restaurant-café, Le Franc, within its historic building. Before they met, Jen already owned a restaurant in London, and Louise a dried flower shop for pastries in Liverpool. At their bohemian table, the cuisine (served at lunchtime) is naturally creative, and it's also locally sourced. The pastries are as comforting as candlelight at the end of the day: ultra-generous carrot cake, decadent cinnamon rolls, and rustic cookies. Authentic and sincere. Unrestricted pleasure.

To round off this sweet tour in style, head to Rue Vallot, right in the centre of Chamonix. Behind its discreet window, a former mineral counter has been transformed into a delightfully cosy tea room. Here, everything evokes the mountains in a different way: crystals inspire the décor, right down to the design of the benches, with lines cut like quartz from Mont Blanc. A cosy, almost mineral setting where you'll want to linger as night falls.

On the menu, the great classics of French pastry are a safe bet, alongside more daring creations. Special mention goes to the 4810 chocolate – a gourmet tribute to the peaks, awarded at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris – and the extra-fine chocolate bonbons, delicately decorated with the legendary names of the valley: Mont Blanc, Drus, Aiguille Verte... Not to mention the iconic crystals, pink fluorite or quartz, in a cocoa version. A final sweet, brilliant and perfectly crafted break to end the day.

Tête-à-Thé - 120, route du Village - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Gaufres de Chamonix - 65, rue Whymper - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Rose du Pont - 43, place Balmat - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Joséphine - 76, avenue Michel Croz - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Franc - 2231 Mont - Servoz