Chamonix Apres Ski Report:3rd December 2009
Well here we are again. It would appear that the start of another season is upon us already and there is an excited buzz in town as the much anticipated first lifts open at Grands Montets this weekend. Once the lifts open of course, you need to know where to go for a cheeky après ski beer or where the best bands are playing so you can dance on the tables 'til you're ready to drop...... Well that's where I come in! Each week I'll be bringing you the pick of the best music and parties to be found in Cham - and if you've been here before, you'll know that there's no shortage of places to party in this town! However, I don't plan on spending my entire season in a haze of 2 for 1 cocktails, so I'll also use this report to keep you posted on some of the other events and activities that go on in resort during the winter. So here we go, this is what we've got to look forward to in the coming week……
As I said, the lifts are opening this weekend and so a number of the bars are having their opening parties in the next couple of days as well. After a summer off, the Chamonix Clubhouse (boutique hotel, member's bar and restaurant) is holding its winter opening party on Friday night, where we can expect their delicious cocktails to be flowing during one very long and very happy hour! DJ Uncle Joe and Mikey Vettriano will be in charge of the tunes and they are also cranking up the barbie for the occasion, so for just €8 you will be able to indulge in an array of sizzling treats hot off the coals for as long as it lasts. Get in quick – Clubhouse BBQ's are pretty legendary! Whilst the Clubhouse is a members only bar, membership for locals (that's anyone within a 250km radius) is just €30 for the year and from that, you'll get an immediate €25 reimbursement of Clubhouse Cash that you can use against lunch, dinner and drinks in the bar. Check out the Clubhouse website or pop along to see Sandie at the bar for more info.
Other opening parties this weekend include La Terrasse on Saturday night, where DJ IYE 95 will be setting the mood and seasonnaire prices on drinks will ensure that the night goes large. Open from 6pm to midnight, you can expect this to be the first of many big nights in La Terrasse this winter.
You may have already spotted in our News a little while back that we've got a brand new bar in Cham this winter – the Vallee Blanche (formerly O'Byrnes). Well, truth is, it's been there for years but the chances are it's never featured on your radar before because it was always very quiet and possibly one you would simply glance into on your way for a pizza at Casa Valerio. Well that's all changed now as it's under new management this winter (Jerry from Les Rhododendrons in Les Praz – which incidentally is also set for another winter of great après music and bar food by the fire). This year the VB Bar will be having live music at après 5 nights a week, pub food every day and some great happy hour offers giving some of the traditionally popular après ski venues a run for their money. Come along and see for yourself on Friday night, as it's Jerry's birthday and quite rightly he's having a party! Happy hour from 5pm-6pm and music from Custom Rock later on in the night - we're very excited about having some new tables to dance on this year!
Never fear, the perennial favourite bars – Chambre 9 (by the railway station), Bard'Up (Rue des Moulins) and Monkey (Cham Sud) never close, and are already gearing up for winter with an array of happy hours, DJs and party nights planned on the run up to Christmas. You can find a more detailed run down in the What's On Calendar, but in a nutshell it's Singstar in Bard'Up every Saturday night and live music with Mathias (one half of Melvil) and Danny every Sunday, both from 9.30pm; Monkey have daily Happy Hours and DJ sets every Saturday and Chambre's 2:1 cocktails live on in all their glory from 8-10pm every day. They also have a brand new après ski band for this winter who some of you may already know from Val Thorens where they have played for a number of seasons – so brace yourself!! By the way, Monkey Bar is on the look out for musicians this winter, so if you play in a band (preferably acoustic solo or duo acts) get in touch with the bar on +33 (0)450 96 64 34.
I did promise that this report wouldn't be all about late nights and downing shots, so keeping to my word, the event not to miss this weekend is the Ravanel & Co's Monster Nordic Ski Test. Held with great success for the last couple of years, this is your chance to try your hand at (possibly) a new winter sport this season – cross-country skiing. This event is held at the foyer du fond (opposite the MBC bar) and has all the latest cross country kit available to try out for yourself on the adjacent nordic trails. If you've never done it before then there are instructors available to take you for your first spin or offer tips and advice if you want to improve your technique. It's completely free and we'll definitely be there again this year, but you can find out more about it from our video from last year's event.
So there we go, another season is kicking off and we're planning on enjoying every second of it - make sure you get out to join us soon!
Don't forget to keep an eye on the What's On Calendar for a full list of events over the summer months.
You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.
