Chamonix Apres Ski Report: 25th December 2009
Merry Christmas everybody! I hope you are reclined on the sofa full of turkey and Christmas cheer! It's been a very festive week here in Chamonix – Santa popped by the tourist office square yesterday and there have been lots of Christmas parties going on and happy holiday makers making the most of the nightlife scene in resort. And there is certainly plenty to get stuck into this coming week….
Apres ski as we know and love it in Cham is really kicking off next week with the brand new band in Chambre 9 starting up on Sunday and South Bar, I hear, may have music on from tomorrow (Boxing Day), and then daily from then on. Great news for après fans as these are definitely two venues NOT TO MISS when you're here on your hols.
The VB Bar is already up and running with its live music schedule for the season, with a varied mix of rock and Irish gigs from Hors Piste and country hoe downs with the lovely Chambelles. If this bar still isn't on your radar then it's the newly re-vamped one opposite the Monchu restaurant on rue Lyret. I've already mentioned it a few times in the après report this season so hopefully you'll notice it this winter and pop your head in because it's well worth a stop; not just for the après music but they also serve great pub stylie food every day. More unusually, if you pop by on a Thursday between 5-7pm, you can be treated to a free massage from the girls at Physi Cham who are showcasing their wares to VB Bar clients while you enjoy a mulled wine by the fire.
In Les Houches, Le Delice is now open every day from 11am to 1am serving non-stop tasty bar snacks (soup, sarnies, tapas etc), a Braserie style lunch from 12 – 3pm and their fusion style restaurant is open from 6 – 10pm. They even have time to sneak in a couple of happy hours from 4 - 6pm where a half pint of Stella or a glass of wine will only set you back €2, or cocktails are €5. They are also planning a big New Year's Eve dinner from 7 – 11pm on the 31st - €80 for 5 courses and a champagne reception. There are still a few tables left and afterwards, the bar will open to the public from 11.45pm and the party will continue until 4am. If you're staying in Les Houches next week, sounds like a one stop shop for all you need to see in 2010!
Back to the festive feel and the traditional Christmas market is still on up in Argentiere this week, every day from 10-12.30 and 2-7pm until 30th December. It has a range of original decorations, handicrafts and local produce on sale as well as the obligatory vin chaud stands and a very festive atmosphere. Also, if you're staying up in Argentiere and have wheels, then on Sunday there is a torchlit walk in little village of Le Lavancher at 6.30pm, followed by hot chocolate and musical entertainment. Free of charge and quite a nice thing to do, especially if you have little ones.
The big event of this week though is the FIS night slalom competition on the Planards piste in Chamonix. This annual race meet is a contest between the French national team and some of the world's best skiers. Guaranteed to be an exciting spectator sport and if you can't make it to Le Lavancher for the torchlit walk, then the ESF will be doing a torchlit ski descent on the Planards piste after the competition (around 9.30pm) on Tuesday 29th. The night slalom comp then continues on Wednesday night from 7pm.
New Years Eve is obviously the big soirée this week and, as always, you can guarantee that Cham will have some kicking parties to welcome in 2010. Pretty much all of the bars have live music or DJs playing on Thursday and it's also the night that many bars take the option of a later licence and remain open until the very small hours. Most will charge some sort of cover to get in, so my advice is to scout round town early in the week, see where you like the look of and bag yourself a ticket early as the bars fill up fast and the entry charge on the night will obviously be higher. I'm still confirming details of some of the big parties that are happening so I'll do a quick update for you on Monday, but some food for thought….
After their awesome launch party last week, the Winter Sessions crew are back again with their Winter Sessions New Year's Eve bash at the Podium bar, headlining Jenna G – the Drum n Bass Queen from BBC Radio 1 – supported by D-Code, her fellow Radio 1 presenter, fresh back from a world tour. Expect a night of urban beats and techelectro at what will undoubtedly be one of the BIGGEST parties of the season! Tickets are on sale now from the tourist office and Zero G and cost €20 with a season pass, €25 in advance or €30 on the door. Doors are open from 11pm until 5am so you can probably forget first lift!
Merry Christmas everyone from a very snowy Chamonix and here's to a happy New Year!
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.
