Courchevel Apres Ski Report: 12th December 2012

Following an unprecedented fall of snow, spirits are high throughout the resort, as locals and season-staff (seasonnaires) alike eagerly discuss the coming season. Talk is that this will be a year to be remembered – a vintage year! We certainly hope so. Our powder skis are waxed, boots worn in and new gear laid out, ready for the winter ahead.

With a bumper snowfall all the focus so far has been on the pistes, but off the piste the resort is awakening too. Last weekend saw the opening of Ku de ta on Friday and the place was packed. After a recent facelift and lick of paint it’s looking pretty swish inside. Funky décor and brass piping running along the ceiling gives it a modern feel and the drinkers certainly seemed to be enjoying the DJ set with some classic tunes, interspersed with frequent dance rifts to keep the tempo upbeat.

In Courchevel Moriond (1650 ) this weekend the Bubble Bar opened on Saturday. Serving free nachos through the afternoon, the staff cunningly ensured all the local seasonnaires came running. Then Max the Sax and Toby filled the après slot with a chilled DJ set accompanied by saxophone creating a relaxed vibe perfect for catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. The tempo picked up later on and it was buzzing all evening as the season workers mingled and bonded over jugs of beer, many oddly sporting animal-esque onesies. A new trend in the Alps? More likely a lack of clean clothes.....

Down in Le Praz, The Drop Inn, was packed out with all the New Generation ski/snowboard instructors in town for their welcome weekend. The resultant talent quota made this a favourable occurrence and their chat seemed to be amusing the locals too. We’re not quite sure we have the stamina of the Verbier crowd though – those boys can drink. With jagerbombs passed around freely, the early season generosity was evident – let’s see if that continues through to January…..

Then last night La Boulotte kicked off their first après offering of the season. We’re excited to hear that Katie will be hosting four après sets each week this season and it’s sure to be a popular spot. This cosy bar has a great atmosphere and just works so well for après. We can’t explain what makes it so special so you’ll just have to try it out for size on your next visit. Following the departure of local favourites Bring your Sisters last year we’re eagerly waiting to see who will fill their spot at the top of the Courchevel music scene. Their rowdy set raised the roof of many a bar as drinkers crowd surfed around so they’re certainly big shoes to fill.

Last night duo Two Play filled the après slot and were well received by the appreciative crowd. We’re not sure if that was their official title but with one member of local band Four Play accompanying a new guy, it seemed fitting. They played the usual mix of covers to entertain drinkers and the atmosphere was certainly buoyant. The drinks were flowing freely as everyone caught up on each other’s summer antics. What seemed to start as a mellow evening soon got pretty messy, the only saving grace for most being that they ran out of Mutzig. At 6.9% it can take down the most seasoned drinker and has been known to wipe memories as well as many inhibitions. Despite its absence we managed to drink our way into a happy and jovial oblivion. There were certainly a few fuzzy heads in resort today! The only cure – one of Katie’s famous burgers…..nom, nom, nom. Feeling human again already!