Chamonix Apres Ski Report: 16th April 2010
Ug. I seem to have spent rather a lot of time hung over on my sofa this week. It's been worth it though, I've had friends here, we've eaten well, had some great nights out and still managed a fair bit of skiing in the lovely spring conditions that we have at the moment – accompanied by a leisurely lunch and a glass or two of rosé on the hill of course!
Last Saturday, we swung by the Marmottons restaurant at the base of the Pierre a Ric piste – the Grands Montets home run. This restaurant has a beautifully sunny terrace and last weekend the fantastic duo, Bodhizapha, we're playing an après set for WOW Chamonix – Women of Winter. The laydeez had all been up on the hill during the day, testing kit, learning new skills and well, doing “girls stuff”, but we were keen to see Bodhizapha play, especially in such a lovely setting. As always, they didn't disappoint and they had the crowd up on their feet and dancing in their ski boots to their cool, surfy style set.
The following evening, after a delicious fondue at Boccalatte on Ave Aiguille du Midi, we hit rue des moulins for some 2 for1 long drinks in the Mix Bar. I don't know why I don't go to this bar more often, they make great cocktails, play fabulously cool Ibiza style music and have a wonderful interior all designed and created by local artisan Les Racines. It's perhaps a little more expensive than some of the other bars in the area but it definitely offers a more refined drinking experience if you fancy a pre-dinner aperitif or a relaxed place to hang out afterwards. However, they also throw some stonking DJ nights and when they are offering 2 for 1 promos, it's a perfect excuse to stop by.
After Mix, we went a bit more spit and sawdust and swung by Bar'd Up to hear a Matias play. Well actually we went coz it's Ladies Night every Sunday and girls get a free shot with every round, but having Matias strumming away on his guitar in the background was certainly an added bonus. Having got a taste for the shots, we then ducked into Soul Food a couple of doors down from Bar'd Up, where things started getting a bit out of hand as the flaming sambuccas and tequilas started flowing. We might have had a bit of a dance in here – getting a bit hazy by this stage – but they usually have some great music playing in this bar courtesy of DJ's such as Pico and DJ Blo from Zero G, both of whom play great funk sets, so I find it hard to believe that we would have just remained propping up the bar. The aim of the evening was to pop into the Terrasse where they were closing the upstairs bar and we definitely made it that far as I know that I saw a number of people who equally won't have remembered seeing me the following day….but the bar was packed and everyone seemed to be having a great time so I can only assume that the evening was a big success!
With Choucas closing it's doors until the summer last weekend, our choice of late night drinking and dancing establishments has now been narrowed down to Le Garage and Le Tof – both of which are open until 4 or 5am. No Escape is the other late night option in resort, also home to 7th Heaven Gentleman's Club who, incidentally, are still on the look out for new dancers if any of you reading this are a bit foxy, flexible and don't mind dancing around in your knickers! I found myself dancing (in a far less exotic fashion…) in Le Tof until early doors Thursday morning, which explains why I've spend yet ANOTHER day bonding with my sofa. It's been much more about the après ski for me this winter, generally sloping off home before midnight (the draw back of having a day job you see!!) so I haven't spent much time in any of the really late night haunts this winter. However, Tof was certainly going off on Wednesday night once the crowd from South Bar arrived around 2am and the pole in the centre of the dance floor was a very popular feature with the predominantly Swedish crowd. Come to think of it, perhaps the guys from No Escape should target their recruitment efforts down here – they will have filled their vacancies in no time!!
Anyway, after brief respite last night, it's back out on the town for me again tonight with the final après ski gig of the season at Chambre 9. I am REALLY going to miss No Limits over the summer; they have been far and away my absolute favourite band in resort this season. No need for tears though, they'll be back again next winter but in a few hours we'll be chanting “One More Song” for the last time as they play an extended set from around 4.30pm.
The other big events happening this weekend are the Winter Sessions Weekender - 3 days of music and parties both on and off the hill (see last week's report for more details). On Saturday it's the final of the Grand Raid Gore-tex , a freeride competition open to anyone with the speed, balls and thighs of steel to take on the challenge. €1500 in prize money up for grabs to the winner so worth having a go Staying on the hill, this weekend is also host to the first Monoski Test Tour in Argentiere. It's happening, I've seen it with my own eyes, as more and more monoskis are creeping back onto the slopes this season so this is your chance to try one out for yourself.
If you need a drink after all of that fresh air and exercise, then on Tuesday night you've got a couple of tempting choices. If you fancy remaining al fresco, then head to the Paradis des Praz from 10pm for the Wham Bam Thank You Cham end of season seasonnaires bash. The Paradis des Praz is more frequented during the summer months where there is a play area for the kids with rope swings, pony rides and climbing frames. You'll find it a short way upstream from the Flegere cable car (head up the side of the golf course and into the woods) where there will be an open fire, food, drinks and music under a canopy of stars and treetops (and tarpaulin just in case it rains!). Entry is €5 and you can get your hands on a ticket by mailing sales@madyaker.co.uk or calling ++44 7817 416 542 and ask for Gaz.
If that's too far to walk then head to South Bar in Cham Sud on Tuesday night, when €20 will buy you as much drink as you can manage, as they hold their annual “drink the bar dry” party for their closing night. As I said at the beginning – ug – my kidneys hurt just writing about it…..
Brace yourself après skiers, it's going to be one hell of a week! I hope all that volcanic dust doesn't delay you getting here!
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.
