Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report: 27th January 2011
Another week of fun and frolics here in the Southern Alps, The snow has not been fantastic which is usually recipe for the Après ski to cook up a feast. This weeks Après calendar started where last week left off, with the Funi tea party at Smithy's Tavern of Dreams. Resort favourites Dr Bruce were back in town to rock the resort and the Funi hats guys were selling and giving away a huge selection of hats, t-shirts and wristbands all complemented with cake. I even managed to walk off with a beanie that I won in the raffle. Dr Bruce are also back next week to play another set at the Tavern.
Saturday was spent dedicated to my old friend football in a number of the towns bars and big screen TV's. Pacific is usually my place of choice to watch the football but in the interest of fairness, I also managed to take in a match at O'Sharkys, Sphere and Smithy's as well.
Sunday was a very exciting day in Alpe d'Huez. Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame was in resort for New Year, but this week we had real rock & roll royalty as Still Nameless reformed for a one off gig in Smithy's for the baying mob.
The evening started in Pacific with their weekly Open-Mic Night. Seasonnaires and holidaymakers alike try their hand at wowing the pub with a selection of instruments from guitars and singing, to kazoos, melodicas and just about anything else that will make a noise. When the evening had spiralled into a karaoke like mess, it was decided that it would be time to head up the hill to see the band. And believe me, they did not disappoint. With the same line up as last year, but a new assortment of songs on the set list, the masses partied away to covers of Kings of Leon, Blur, The Killers and a brilliant rendition of “Little Lion Man” by Mumford & Sons until the night concluded and most headed to the Igloo nightclub to finish off a fantastic weekend.
Monday was bar crawl night in resort as the new tourists in resort made there way around the bars to see the sights and sounds that Alpe d'Huez has to offer. There was Rum in Etalon; Toffee-Vodka in Pacific and Jagermeister fuelled sliding in Freeride until the evening ended with dancing on the tables in Smithy's to the sounds of DJ Samiski.
Tuesday was a big night in the Tavern as a Nortlander Bar Crawl of around 70 Danes joined us for the Smithy's School Disco. DJ Northy provided Cheesy music from an era you wish you could forget and the Danish provided the partying. More then a few ended up in detention that night. Lounge 21 had DJ Martin Smith playing electro house and disco music until the early hours.
Après ski is not just about what is happening in the bars around town, Alpe d'Huez also has a huge selection of entertainments in the early evening. The Fun Café on the high street is very popular with the under 18 population of the town, they have a huge selection of video games, baby foot and pool tables to keep even the biggest of kids entertained when the sun goes down. The ice rink on the high street remains as popular as ever, and the new addition this year Ice Karting has been very well received. In vertigo at the Palais des Sport is also popular and here you can tackle the ropes assault course hanging 20 feet above the floor.
Looking forward to next week, we have the Monster Energy Drink Party arriving in Smithy's Tavern tonight, who will be bringing with them rock band The Black Flowers and DJ Mike Rock to provide the entertainment, and the Monster girls will be doing a huge giveaway of prizes. February holidays are approaching fast, so expect the resort to get much busier, until then keep enjoying the sunshine, keep your fingers crossed for some snow and keep enjoying life here in Alpe d'Huez
Remember, we're not here for a long time; we're here for a good time!
Pete
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.
