Best winter single & solo party travel, vacations, and ski holiday destinations

Val Thorens, France

Amongst the party goers in the winter ski circuit, Val Thorens is often referred to as the “Highest Party Town in the Alps”. Home to the biggest clubs in the Alps, Val Thorens attracts some of Europe’s top DJs every winter to blow the roof off this mecca of winter sports. If you are looking to live it at its most intense, make sure you arrive during the University holiday season to experience the full blown sensation of partying on ice!

Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, Spain

Held every year at the end of February through to the beginning of March, this crazy and explosive festival celebrates the end of the winter season and the arrival of spring. The whole city of Valencia shuts down and pours onto the streets to celebrate! Amongst them, these immense wooden figures are paraded across the streets of Valencia as party goers dance, drink, and eat their hearts out! At the end of the festival, all the gorgeous Fallas are burned to ashes…it has something poetic about it…but the party goes on!

Zell am See, Austria

Zell am See is definitely one of my favorite ski resorts in Europe! The slopes are totally dope and the apres ski is excellent! There are plenty of venues both on as well as off piste to find the rowdy crowds! During the winter ski season, there are many bands and DJs that make a stop here as the crowds line up with their Jaeger shots! You can also soak away your hangover in the splendid spa, just outside the center of town….who knows, maybe you’ll bump into the same party goers you met the night before…

Val d’Isère, France

Home to some of the most iconic Apres Ski bars and clubs, the resort ski town of Val d’Isere will not disappoint those who are seeking the winter party beats! Thousands of party goers from all over Europe (and the world) descend every season to revel and hook up in this remarkably laid back French Alps ski town. Unlike some of its neighboring villages, the party starts early here! An institution, La Folie Douce is ready to spark up the party blast and cater to the many early bird apres skiers once the afternoon sun starts to settle down. The glitz and glam this amazing place has to offer doesn’t come at a bargain, so make sure you bring plenty of clams with you.

Niederau, Austria

Maybe not the first name to pop on a list when it comes to winter party destinations, but Niederau has quietly made a name for itself when it comes to school party trips! Head over to the Schirmbar to get your night going, you are sure to come across a lively crowd. Once the lifts slow down, you can expect the party level to go up and up and away! A big plus point for Niederau is that in comparison to many other ski resorts, this is relatively cheaper.

Carnevale di Venezia, Italy

One of the most iconic carnivals in the world takes place in Venice, Italy every year around mid- February all the way into early March.

The earliest records of this event start all the way back to the 1200, and the iconic tradition of walking down to Piazza di San Marco wearing the most elaborate masks and costumes holds true. A mystical party, perhaps more than any other, filled with adventure and excitement awaits those who participate in this brilliant event!

There are hundreds of bars and clubs packed with all sorts of mysterious characters, all masked up and gearing for an unforgettable night.

Cologne Winter Carnival, Germany

Think of this as Germany’s winter Oktoberfest! It’s wild, it’s crazy, and there’s beer everywhere!! The preferred brew by choice in Cologne is known as Kölsch. You will drink, swim in it, and by the end of the carnival, perhaps baptized in it. What used to be an all German affair just a few years ago, has now turned into a massive international party week! Like many northern European winter festivals, you will be (almost) required to bring a costume, so find something wild to wrap yourself with before hitting the streets! As a rule of thumb…any festival that requires costumes, is going to be awesome!

Carnaval Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Nothing compares to Rio, not now, not ever. The mother of all winter festivals boasts over 2,000,000 visitors a day! The festival that started back in 1723, has gone on to grow and grow, becoming not only a Brazilian icon, but it’s safe to say there’s no self respecting party goer that doesn’t recognize this as “the One”.

Walk into any of the main streets and just join in dance with the thousands of caipirinha soaked bodies moving to the sensual beats of the samba! Dancing into the weee hours of the night, start ups and hookups are to be expected 🙂

Mardi Gras New Orleans, Louisiana USA

Celebrated 2 weeks prior to Ash Wednesday this is the party all of Louisiana gears up for every year! It is madness! This is the one place, I’ve never seen a sober soul past 9pm…the party here is as hardcore as you can imagine, and then some! Thousands flock to the French Quarter looking for the best time of their lives. Hundreds of party goers line up on the many balconies screaming for beads, flashing their most prized jewels to those who are willing to part with them. The atmosphere is blazing, the Hurricanes are lovely, the intensity electric…few things in this world are as fine as partying in the Mississippi river.

Quebec City Winter Carnival, Canada

Or in French known as the Carnaval de Québec. It is a pre Spring winter festival, and with its millions of visitors it is one of the largest winter festivals in the world. Its iconic mascot the “Bonhomme Carnaval”, made its first appearance back in 1955, and it has led the party in Quebec City since then. During the day enjoy the amazing parades and ice sculptures, while the night holds a full dance, music, and party agenda making this town the envy of all Canada during the winter spells.