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Chamonix Apres Ski Report: 15th January 2010

featured in Nightlife reviews Author Helen McGrory, Chamonix Reporter Updated

Chamonix is noticeably quieter this week, both on the pistes and in town, so there have been minimal lift queues and it's been much easier to grab a table in the bar. Doesn't mean that the nightlife has quietened down though and we've still been dancing on the tables in Chambre most evenings – just with a bit more room to move and a bit less sweat dripping off the ceiling than in previous weeks.

There was a big crowd in Le Vert last night for an avalanche awareness talk in conjunction with HAT - Henry's Avalanche Talks. These invaluable sessions originated in Val d'Isere several years ago and have since spread to Meribel and Chamonix and are held at various times throughout the season. The aim of the talk is to impart fundamental safety advice to skiers and boarders when riding in the backcountry. The presentation and slide show is targeted at those new to backcountry riding and covers the basics of slope assessment, avalanche avoidance and what to do should you be unlucky enough to get caught in a slide. They also hold more in depth talks from time to time to help experienced riders get more from the mountains. The HAT talks don't, of course, replace the experience of a guide or the importance of wearing and knowing how to use your avalanche safety equipment, but they are an interesting and entertaining way to spend a couple of hours all aimed at making sure you “Ride Hard – Ride Safe”. Last night, the Vert was packed to the rafters for the presentation and then most of the crowd moved through to the restaurant for dinner afterwards. They had a special promo price of €15 which included entry to the talk and then a plat du jour (fish & chips I think). Unfortunately, I was too late to book a spot for dinner and had to suffer the tantalising aromas wafting through to the bar, so I consoled myself in liquid form with a few cocktails instead…..

The girls from Physi Cham were also at Le Vert last night, providing free massage demos throughout the evening. They've been doing this every Thursday at the VB Bar in town as well, and I must admit, I thought it would be more head and shoulder massages they would be demoing; but no, there were half naked snowboarders all over the shop lying flat out on the massage table getting rubbed down from head to toe!! There were also various giveaways throughout the night, including a pair of Black Diamond skis which were won by a very happy snowboarder as it turned out! No doubt we will see them on E-Bay shortly…..

Also this week, there has been quite a lot going on in Les Houches, with various celebrations and concerts for the Russian New Year taking place and a big Giant Slalom competition on the Verte piste - the junior French Cup. From the talent I saw earlier in the week, I'm sure a number of these young skiers will be competing again on the same run in 2018 should Annecy succeed in its Olympic bid.

Coming up this week we've got another packed week of live music and happy hours to look forward to. Matias & Danny play Bar'd Up every Sunday evening for Ladies Night, the Chambelles do a country set at the VB Bar this and every Tuesday, and on Wednesdays at Munster Bar in Cham Sud you'll find surf cruise/reggae groove duo, Bodhizpha, playing an acoustic set. There are also some delicious food promos to keep an eye out for throughout resort, such as half price chicken wings every Monday at the MBC, €10 Thai curry on Tuesday at the Eden in Les Praz with live music from Jon Dobson and Rib's Night at the Jekyll (also Tuesday) where €10 will get you a monster rack with chips or €6 for a half.

If you missed the Jekyll's Comedy Night last Monday then make sure you catch it this week (Monday 18th Jan) as it is a really great night out. It sells out every week so swing by the bar early on to bag yourself a ticket. This week's line up is Al Barrie, Mark Walker and Mitch Benn. Hopefully I'll get in this time and will let you know how it went in my next report. Until then, have a great week!



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.