Chamonix Apres Ski Report:7th January 2010
Happy New Year everyone and I hope you managed to see in 2010 in style wherever you were. I saw the New Year in with a stinking cold which has continued to thwart my après ski antics for most of the week. However, I did manage to have a good tour about town last Thursday evening and got some snaps of the festivities in the main square and the streets of Cham.
As always, New Year in Chamonix centres around Place Balmat, in front of the Post Office, La Terrasse and the Casino. We headed down there just before the bells at midnight and the place was absolutely jam packed. We just about managed to wheedle our way right into the thick of things where the atmosphere was amazing – the air was a mixture of snow dust and champagne spray, sparklers and the odd errant firework as people welcomed in 2010. As midnight approached, people were swinging from the tips of some very spindly looking saplings, dancing (or maybe floundering…) in the fountain and I even spotted a bagpiper and a couple of fire dancers in the mêlée.
After the square, we headed towards rue des moulins and restaurant Le Munchie, which was having one of its impromptu parties. Inside, once the diners had left, the tables were all pushed aside and DJ Pico set up his decks on the top level ready for an evening of funky tunes. As one of the few places not charging to get in, we were able to flit in and out of here and see what was going on elsewhere in the street.
Bar'd Up was rammed, Mix Bar had a good crowd inside although the €30 cover charge kept us out rather than in! Soul Food was in full swing with a healthy crowd of party goers spilled out onto the street creating the kind of carnival atmosphere reminiscent of the Fete de la Musique in June. I also noticed that a new bar has sprung up on rue des moulins – Boogie Woogie – opposite Le Privilege. When we passed on the way to the square just before midnight, it looked like they still had the builders in putting the finishing touches to the bar; however, when we passed back again about 45 minutes later, it was packed to the gunnels and the booze was flowing freely! It seems that Boogie Woogie is a new après ski bar, open daily from 4pm-2am. They will have various promotions during après from 4-7pm and then a further Happy Hour from 9-10pm when you can get a demi for €2, a pint for €4 or a pitcher for €14. Wine costs just €2.50 a glass. I'll make sure I swing by soon to try it out.
Now that all of the festivities of Christmas and New Year are over, a sense of normality will settle on the party scene in Cham, with the bars getting into more of a routine of music and party nights. I've got some of the favourite après ski gigs, promo nights and main events logged in the What's On Calendar, so make sure you keep an eye on that for tips on where to go whilst you're here.
If you're ready for a break from boozing after the excesses of the last couple of weeks, then there is still plenty to keep you entertained in the evening without propping up a bar. Chamonix has its very own ice hockey team – the Chamonix Chamois – who play twice a week (home and away), normally on a Saturday and/Tuesday evening at the ice rink. They are playing in the Magnus League, a national tournament, so the standard of play is pretty high. Matches to particularly watch out for are Cham vs Grenoble, Morzine and nearby rivals Mont Blanc where you can guarantee the game will get pretty exciting. Matches start at 8.30pm and tickets cost €10 for adults and €5 for children. It's a great night out for all the family and there are discounts offered for groups of 10 or more.
There is also a ski jumping competition going on this weekend at the Grepon ski jump, just out the back of the big car park beyond the Aiguille du Midi base station. December's competition at the Bossons jump was cancelled, but hopefully conditions will be perfect for Saturday and Sunday as the jumpers return to compete for the French Ski Jumping Cup.
This week's don't miss event is the return of Comedy Night at the Jekyll Bar on Monday 11th Jan. Hugely popular for several years now, the Jekyll comedy night attracts both well known and up and coming names on the comedy circuit. You should definitely book tickets in advance as the night is usually sold out so pop down to the bar beforehand to claim your place. Tickets cost €15 for seated or €10 for standing and the Jekyll is located just beyond the Hotel Aiglons on the edge of Cham Sud. See you there!!
Don't forget to keep an eye on the What's On Calendar for a full list of events over the winter season. You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.
