Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report: 31st December 2009
Writing about the aprés scene in a ski resort the week of Christmas and New Year is always a challenge. It's all too easy to focus on the big nights and forget about the recovery and filler nights that make this time of year such an endurance-test for seasonaires. However, I'm pleased to report this year that the hardcore crowd in Alpe d'Huez have excelled themselves, partying right through the week and maintaining just enough momentum to carry us through tonight and on into 2010.
Christmas Eve was the usual super-late affair that has chalet guests uncertain their hosts will arrive and hotel guests wondering if the staff made it to bed at all the night before. I was in Smithys' until 4am, dancing to DJ Northey's Christmas selection with loads of other workers and holidaymakers. But, being a helpless morning person I was up by 9am and found Underground's Dan & Busty contemplating life from the balcony of the Chamois Hotel uncertain whether it was worth going to bed for a few hours before their infamous Seasonaire Christmas Dinner at 4pm. Needless to say I don't think either of them got any sleep until Boxing Day!
I made the most of my first work-free Christmas in years by not skiing, not cooking and not talking to tourists; hiding at home and eating my Smithy's takeaway Christmas dinner with The Boyfriend. I only eat veggie tartiflette on very special occasions and my eternal thanks go to Morse, Scot and Laura for making it my best Christmas Dinner yet.
On Boxing Day I was up early once again for a cooked breakfast at Smithy's with Lounge 21's Madeleine. We set off up the hill in bright sunshine with full bellies and talk of New Year's resolutions for 2010. That evening I made a quick tour of resort to make sure all the other bar staff had survived. The Underground boys were looking a little sheepish and Vicky at O-Bar told me they too had a great night. I also bumped into Alex from Snow Angel Nannies who was fresh from Geneva airport with new recruit Steph.
Sunday night found me back in the Underground for Gareth's acoustic set. Sundays are gearing-up to be big nights in Alpe d'Huez, with a great crew able to party hard, including Emily and Andy from Smithys', Zoo Bar's Niff and Lounge 21's Madeleine. Also showing their faces for the first time since Christmas were peak-season lotharios Alex and Nick. Keeping it together behind the bar was Rupert, who seemed to survive Christmas a lot better than his colleagues!
After a rainy day on the mountain on Tuesday, I decided to reward myself with a dessert at Lounge 21. Chef Tom has a penchant for handmade chocolate desserts and who am I to argue with that? His Café Gourmand is incredible and it's certainly worth pacing yourself through starter and main to sample his latest creations. I arrived quite late to find the restaurant still full of customers and Petit Prince manager Malou at the bar. She'd decided to treat herself as well so we sat with staffers Anne and David, plowing through a luscious chocolate ice cream sundae, stuffed with chunks of Toblerone... heaven! Swede David also taught me a secret of his country's formidable army: the kebab. Not the slimey snack that's the preference of drunken revellers, but an exercise-cum-dance that involves rotating your torso in a clockwise direction to encourage digestion, thus allowing you to eat more. I'm not sure if it worked but it certainly gave the other diners a giggle!
Perhaps more effective at aiding our digestion were our attempts to throw some shapes on the dancefloor at Indie night, asDJ Chip Spice took to the decks in Smithy's Tavern. It was a popular night and this week is far busier, both on the mountain and in the bars, than Christmas week. And thank goodness; all our livelihoods depend on a continuous flow of visitors, especially during the peak weeks.
So, tonight is New Year's Eve. It's going to be hectic everywhere and I'm opting for the classiest bar in resort, Lounge 21. Last week's faux-friendly dress competition went well and I think my black genuine 1950s number earned some points, but I'll have to see what I can manage this evening. A night in Lounge justifies a dress but I know I'll want to pop next door for Smithy's Full Moon Party which has all the makings of a mid-90s rave. Will a yellow strapless top and black mini-shorts go down well in Lounge 21? Will a red shift with asymetrical black mesh overlay go down well in Smithy's?? Who knows, but I'll be grateful when the pressure of the Festive Season is off and I can get back to my usual going-out uniform of jeans and 'a nice top'. Roll on 2010!
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.
