Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report: 24th March 2011

Although it is called Après-ski, this is the time of year when the skiing takes a back seat and our attention turns to the bbq's, end of season parties and the general atmosphere that we are approaching the end of the ski season and we need to make the last month count.

Last Thursday was of course the big one – St Patrick's Day! Most bars in resort had something special going on such as live music, huge parties and big drinks deals. My evening was spent in Smithy's Tavern, which was packed to rafters from early on until the small hours of the morning as pints of Guinness were knocked back by a sea of green, to the music of Dr Bruce.

I have it on very good authority that pretty much every bar in town was full to bursting point with the most memorable nights happening at The Underground, Rendez-Vous, Sphere bar and of course Irish Bar O'Sharkys.

Friday was the end of the Ski, Dance & Delirious Festival, which had been running at the Palais des Sport all week. They had been offering dance lessons in a variety of disciplines ranging from Latin and salsa to ballroom and hip-hop. The finale was held at the Patinoire ice skating rink, which I managed to get a glimpse of as they performed a routine in a variety of crazy outfits.

Sunday was another great showing by Gareth at the Underground Bar for his selection of acoustic covers. Pacific also held their weekly open mic night and both the Zoo Bar and Smithy's Tavern were busy until closing time. I even managed to make one of my infrequent trips into the Igloo Nightclub until my eyelids could take it no more and I retired to my bed.

Bar Crawl night on Monday was a busy one, and it became evident that this week was going to be a hectic one as a fancy-dressed hoard of people scouted round resort to decide where would be the backdrop to their week in Alpe d'Huez.

On Tuesday night Smithy's Tavern held a DJ battle night as two guest DJ's from the UK made the trip out to try and win over the crowd as 2 Bad Mice played Old School and 100ME played Nu School as the full bar of inebriated patrons decided who was best. In my opinion the 2 Bad mice walked away with the crown.

And finally today I write this from the terrace of Rendez-Vous as they have abandoned their full English breakfast for one week and replaced it with a sumptuous BBQ and provided a huge terrace and sunshine.

The upcoming week is one that his been a subject of much discussion in resort as the European Gay Ski Week arrives in town. They have some huge parties planned as they will be painting the town red and I'm sure a selection of other colours for their yearly trip to take over the Alps. They have a couple of big, big parties planned at Smithy's, Lounge 21 and the Igloo in addition to a Pool Party and a Snow Ball at the Palais Des Sport.

Remember, we're not here for a long time; we're here for a good time!

Pete

For a full list of this week's events, check out our What's On Calendar. You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.