Chamonix Apres Ski Report: 13rd March 2008

Well, apart from gloating, I've also had friends out this week, which inevitably involves a substantial attack on the waistline, eating and drinking at a number of my favourite haunts. Having said that, after 6 years of being in Chamonix, I actually managed to tick off a new place this week - the restaurant at the Hotel Eden in Les Praz. Despite hearing nothing but rave reviews about the food and service there, I'd just never managed to do the trek ALL the way up to Les Praz. In reality, it's barely 2 miles and the hotel run a free shuttle bus service there and back anyway. Take a note of this place, it really is fabulous, from the instant you arrive to enjoy an aperitif in front of the fire to the last satisfying scrape of your dessert plate; not a morsel was left. The Eden is definitely at the more exclusive end of the price range but having said that, they offer two very good value set menus – Menu du Jour (€31 for 3 courses) and the Menu du Chef (€39 for 4 courses inc. cheese). Both have a choice of two starters and mains and a set dessert, although there didn't appear to be any problem in switching your dessert for one from the a la carte menu if you preferred. I went for the Menu du Chef and had Tuna Pastrami, Sea Bass with a lobster and seafood sauce, a cheese plate and then I think it was some fresh raspberry thing with liquorice ice cream (the fuzzy memory is no indication of the number of glasses of wine consumed by the time dessert came around….). Anyway, including wine, we paid €60 per head which was more than worth it, and after that amount of food I was eternally grateful for the free minibus ride home!

Also this week, I was well chuffed to discover that not only does Chambre 9 have the fabulous Balboas playing 6 days a week during après (Sun – Mon), they've also filled the spare Saturday slot with none other than the Blind Poets! Remember them? I'm sure you will if you've visited Chamonix before and otherwise you're bound to recognise Rangan, the lead singer, who is surely the tallest man in Chamonix! Anyway, they are back in town and playing a limited number of gigs in Chambre 9 (Saturdays) and Bard'Up (Wednesdays). They have a fantastic playlist of songs spanning at least the last 3 decades and from last weeks performances; it seems that there is no song they can't play. As if to prove the point, if you buy them a shot they promise to play anything you like. If you do manage to stump them, they seem quite happy to remove items of clothing as a forfeit so win : win as far as I can see!! Don't miss them – they're brilliant and only here until March 22nd!

There are two other don't miss events in the coming week: Firstly, the last playoff of the Magnus League ice hockey tournament. Chamonix is playing Caen for the 5th and final time 8.30pm tomorrow night at the ice rink. I've put more information about the match in the news but Chamonix HAVE to win or they will be relegated. Drag everybody you know along to support (tickets only €4!) and lets help the Chamois run those Caen boys into the second division where they belong!!

The second event not to miss is the Boss des Bosses – the legendary inter-resort seasonnaire moguls competition held on a specially prepared bumps course on Grands Montets. With teams competing from Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Val d'Isere, Chamonix, Zermatt and for the first time in ten years, Verbier; you can expect the mountain to be swamped with over-excited supporters from around the alps, all there to cheer on their local resort team. Each team is comprised of nine skiers (seven guys and two girls), two snowboarders and two telemarkers who compete to do the best runs over the moguls and jumps. The atmosphere on the hill during this event is amazing, with DJs playing, a bar and BBQ to fuel the crowd, entertaining commentary and some incredible demonstrations of bumps and big air skill. The Chamonix team usually includes the familiar face (or Mohawk!) of Glenn Plake and his wife Kimberley, often sporting some form of day-glo bikini for the occasion (eerm, Kimberley, not Glenn thankfully…). For the last 5 years, the Boss des Bosses title has switched between Chamonix and Zermatt, so these two teams are guaranteed to be really going for it. Make sure you're on Grands Montets on Wednesday (19th) to catch the action.

See you there!

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.