Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report: 11st March 2010
This season, the extremely cold weather has played havoc with the traditional après-scene we've come to know and love... relaxing in your ski or board boots with cold beers, warm sunshine and banging tunes. But March is finally here and – although the weather isn't warming-up just yet – it won't be long before we're out sunning ourselves after our last runs on the hill, instead of running home for a hot shower and a cup of tea. Once Spring kicks-in, the terraces of the bars in the Bergers area are great for a little post-piste tanning and the Grotte de Yeti offers great shooters and music to sate the appetite of the most hardcore revellers. Throughout the season, the après hour at The Underground is popular with all nationalities and they offer special prices from 5pm of 3,50€/pint, 2,50€/vin chaud and slammers for just 2€. And if you're too peckish to wait until dinner I can highly recommend Captain Sandwich, next to The Etalon, which has a great menu and tables outside. At the moment it's just too cold to eat outside but I'm looking forward to eating there more often once the winter starts to thaw.
Until then, my personal favourite for après-ski is the Petit Prince. The hotel has a sunny public bar, with an amazing view and terrace for the warmer weather. On Thursday afternoons, from 4.30pm the local musicians take their turn to entertain the guests. Last week local lads Still Nameless were playing and they're going from strength to strength this season. The chilled-out atmosphere and sunny balcony are perfect for the band's mellow late-afternoon set, which consisted of loads of upbeat numbers and a rousing version of Elbow's One Day Like This. On Sunday they were back onstage at Smithy's Tavern belting out their full rock selection, with hits by Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Kings of Leon. The boys also play regular acoustic sets at The Sphere Bar, so keep an eye out for their posters in resort.
The shock success of the week was an impromptu set by Lounge 21's Dylan at Caves. The Welsh wonder is a big drum 'n' bass fan, something that doesn't usually go down too well in Alpe d'Huez. But the crowd loved it and he smashed some of the darkest tracks around for the heaving dancefloor. Smithy's Tavern's Emilio also did his fair share to break the cheesey-hits reputation of this French club and there's hope they'll be back on the decks again soon.
Back to the mainstream... Smithy's Tavern celebrated Tuesday night with chav fancy dress and the enthusiasm of both seasonaires and holidaymakers was astonishing. Fair enough, it's a pretty easy theme to pull-off, but I was left wondering how so many Rockport caps made it into resort... surely they're not all ironic purchases. That said, I'll be plumping-up my travel pillow and persuading The Boyfriend to lend me his tracksuit for another chav night across the valley in Les Deux Alpes on Saturday.
And finally, the sleasiest night of the week was easily the Chippendales show at l'Igloo nightclub. Even in the interests of journalism, I couldn't persuade myself to pay 5€ to watch oiled, naked men writhe infront of screaming hoards of near-hysterical women. It's just not my scene. So I joined the girls for the pre-party meal at Fondue en Folie, with goats' cheese fondue and plenty of wine. They tell me the show was hilarious but I'm glad I opted for an early-ish night instead.
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.
