Nightlife Previews and reviews in Alpe d'Huez

I know, I know, I know... you lot have missed me like the desert misses the rain.... but don't worry, it's only been two weeks! And I'm back! It was rather bad timing for me being slightly under the weather, but luckily coincided with one of the quietist weeks in Alpe D'Huez – half term week (lucky for lack of après, that is!) Anyway...onwards and upwards! And this week has indeed picked up! It must be because everyone knew I was back!... Hmmmm

There is quite a lot to report this week from the world of Après, as not only is it European Gay Ski Week in Alpe d'Huez, but my girlfriend is here for the week which has meant a good deal of wining and dining in my world, mustn't complain though and why would I with the great restaurants and nights out I have been having this week.

First of all, get your red roses and red wine out, find yourself a girlfriend and buy her some chocolates...it's VALENTINE'S DAY! (which is why I will be on my own watching DVD's with my flatmate ce soir...Oh well)

With the season just kicking off in Alpe D'Huez and the new seasonnaires slowly starting to settle into resort, the nightlife is certainly starting to kick into gear. Lifts opened on Saturday, and to celebrate 4 days of continuous snow, Smithy's Tavern and DJ Kapich got the official season calendar off to a bang. The windows steamed up, the vodka shots flowed and Planete Surf's Fatbeat got his decks out to round off the evening.

That's it from us for another season of apres ski.

That's it from us for another season of apres ski.

It's been a busy week for Alpe d'Huez's party scene, especially for those who have braved the extreme cold and early-season flu to make the most of the promotions in the bars. I'm afraid I've been a bit of a wuss this week, favouring riding over partying and saving my meagre cents rather than splashing out on the jugs, spheres and plain old pints that have been flowing freely this week.

TLast week's Après Report centred on the events organised by BUSC, the British Universities Snowsports Council and finished with just one more event to go... the Closing Party.

After the first legs of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 ties over the last couple of weeks, attention now turns to the decisive second legs.

Though we're nearing the end of the season, the weather in Alpe d'Huez remains pretty unstable. Usually at this time of year, my Après Reports turn to sunny lunches on the mountain and post-piste drinks at the edge of resort but with late snow storms every few days, lunch has now become an excuse to shelter indoors and dream of warmer weather.

The latest, and much anticipated, instalment in the Star Wars story – Rogue One - is to be shown in version original in English next Monday (11th January) at Le Palais cinema in the leisure centre in the middle of town.

The weeks are flying by at a slightly worryingly speedy rate, and here we are again, now 6 weeks into the season. Those of us that work here are beginning to feel the effects and bad throats, dodgy coughs and increasingly longer hangovers are starting to take their toll. We are however being kept fresh by the continuing influx of new arrivals into resort...

There is much to report on the Après front this week. Just about all of the bars and restaurants in resort are now open, or at least well into their opening preparations. However there are still very few holiday makers and so it is time for the resort staff to find their way around and meet all the colourful characters in Alpe d'Huez.

I must apologise for the delay in this week's report…I have been recovering from the absolute carnage that we all experienced as a result of BUSC (the British Universities Snowsports Council) coming to town!