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La Plagne Apres Ski Report: 12th December 2012

Monster snow and a fair few parties too

featured in Nightlife reviews Author Anita Gait, La Plagne Reporter Updated

So the season is about to kick off in La Plagne, and the assorted hotel, bar, instructor, restaurant and retail staffs are waiting with bated breath for the lifts to finally start running. The atmosphere is taut,poised like a coin about to flip or a Jaeger bomb about to be dropped. Opening parties are planned and bands are booked, bars are being scrubbed to within an inch of their varnished lives, kegs are connected, vodka is in the optics. We’re ready. All we need now is the go ahead from the mountain, well that and to clear the deluge of snow from our decks so people can actually get in the door.


With an epic snow base already in place and a monstrous 2m of snow falling in the last week we can’t help but wonder Why? Oh God Why cant we get out there now? Please, please open those lifts and let us at those untouched slopes! There have been a hardcore few out there daily hiking the long hike up the side of the Stade, a solid two hour breathless, leg burning trek for a swift but glorious three minute cruise down through untouched thigh deep powder, the less athletic amongst us watch these early riders with jealousy but no real intention, using our energy instead to glare at the motionless lifts as though will power alone could get them moving. Down below 1800 The bobsleigh championships are going on this week offering up a world class competitive spectacle, and peppering Plagne centre with tracksuit clad teams from countries far and wide ready to throw themselves down icy chutes in the name of competition, however I will confess that the thing I have found most entertaining is watching from my window each morning as the Russian bobsleigh team (in full team colours) dig out their vehicles from mountains of fresh snow and then push start them up the hill (that’s how they warm up in the pros).

After watching such exertion there’s Refuge restaurant – home of the (in my opinion) best authentic French food in La Plagne. It is open and catering for all those looking for a hearty lunch (with a side of wine naturally), they have a set three course lunch menu consisting of pate, steak frites and a choice of around 5 desserts (I recommend the floating island). It is great food and good wine but still I am itching to get down there of an evening and get my fill of cheese fondue, ooh closely followed by a raclette, then maybe a pierrade all followed by a genepi flambéed crème brulee.Mmmmmm now that’s a good night out.

On other less filling nights out there has been a drum and bass night on Saturday 8th – inexplicably hosted at Dominos pizzeria that went down very well with its patrons. Bobsleigh Bar in 1800 is opening on the 10th with DJ Bully from 9pm, also Mouth Bar looking to start strong in its second year of existence, is having its opening party on the 18th. Spitting Feathers the cheery English bar in Bellecote is having is official opening party on Friday 14th, but far and away the first off the mark is Scotty’s bar in Plagne centre. Scotty’s has been hosting nights right left and centre, despite not having their official opening party until the 12th (featuring live music by JayBeez – new this year, drinks promos, and of course Scotty’s famous Skittles Vodkas) they have been one of the only bars to have opened its doors with regularity over the last week.

The newly arrived staff of the adjoining Hotel Christina have been team bonding nightly over increasingly technical games of beer pong, and on Saturday night the bar opened their doors to all comers which included staff of local Oxygene Ski School, The Bergerie restaurant team, people from Crystal and Inghamschalet companies and also the management and staff of Mouth Bar no doubt taking the opportunity for a staff night out that will no longer be possible once the season starts in earnest. A great night was had by all in attendance with ideas and plans flying right, left and centre as people shared their excitement for this up coming snow-heavy season....over rounds of peche beers and Jaeger bombs naturally.