Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report: 10th December 2010
There is much to report on the Après front this week. Just about all of the bars and restaurants in resort are now open, or at least well into their opening preparations. However there are still very few holiday makers and so it is time for the resort staff to find their way around and meet all the colourful characters in Alpe d'Huez.
After spending my days on the snow, I ply my trade in one of the busier bar/restaurants in the resort, which gives me access to a world of after-ski activity. But I do see it as my duty to the readers of this humble report that I try to get myself around as much as possible. On Friday I managed to pop into the Underground bar for a swift demi and a chat with Adam. Being located underneath the Chamois hotel and also very popular with seasonnaires and locals, there is never a shortage of people to share a conversation with. The Underground not only has a reputation for the most memorable end of season parties, but also has a vibrant après ski atmosphere, and is a great place to go and watch the football and enjoy a vin chaud. The terrace outside is also good for a BBQ or two in the spring months, but at this time of year the action usually takes place inside. Quite often you will find Gareth providing musical accompaniment and the guys behind the bar take great pleasure in providing (and joining) your drinks.
On Saturday I popped up to O'Sharkys pub on the high street to watch a bit of X-Factor (football had finished for the day) and hear Ant & Ruth's plans for the season. They have some brilliant live music lined up which should well be worth a look, and no doubt Jimmy will be dreaming up some extravagant cocktails along the way.
On Monday, My Company decided to take all the staff for a trip to the Chartreuse distillery. Now I know this isn't strictly Après ski, but I do believe that no holiday to the Alps is complete without at least tasting the herbal digestif either in a hot chocolate as “green chaud” or as a shooter for the more adventurous. It was interesting to learn about how the recipe came about (as a cure to illness since you asked, although my experiences have been quite the opposite!) and how only two monks know the recipe. It was also nice to have something to draw my attention away from the fact the rain was washing all of our snow away!
Tuesday evening was spent in Smithy's Tavern watching a movie premiere. The movie was called Ways 2 Winter and was shot last year in Les Deux Alps and follows two long time seasonnaires to paint a realistic picture of the trials and tribulations that go into “ski season life” You can find out more about the film at www.ways2winter.co.uk or you can see the review on our sister site www.see2alpes.com. The bar was busy and it was a good night for meeting new faces in the resort. With most tour operator staff now in resort, it was a good sociable atmosphere.
The real action has however, happened on this very evening - hence the late posting of this report, but I figured this could not wait until next weeks report. Tonight was the biggest opening party of the resort – Smithy's Tavern. It has been open for a good couple of weeks now, but being one of the larger bars in town they decided to put on an event to be remembered. Fourplay provided the entertainment of the evening playing covers of everything from Van Halen to the Arctic Monkeys. The bar was rammed from the very start and it didn't take much to get the vodka shots flowing freely and for people to be dancing on the tables. The seasonnaires have set the bar high for having a good time, but expect the nights to get bigger and better throughout the season.
So that was the hectic week of après. Hopefully other events and activities around resort will be starting up very soon, and there are still a few bars left to open. I'm expecting the Pacific pub in the old town to be putting on a good show on Friday night for their opening party, and I am yet to enjoy my first fondue of the season. Remember, we're not here for a long time; we're here for a good time!
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.
