La Plagne Apres Ski Report: 26th December 2012

La Plane itself has had a grotto set up where kids (and big kids) can have their photo taken with Santa and there was also a nativity play on in Plagne Centre with Christmas donkeys and sheep wandering around the rest of the cast as the nativity story was told in French interspersed with beautifully sung carols. I confess I had been lacking somewhat in festive cheer, having been preoccupied with the start of season madness, but watching the nativity really got me into the spirit and for me Christmas just escalated from there.

A few Christmas eve drinks in Scotty’s turned into table dancing chaos, it seemed everyone else in town had headed there with the same quiet intention but then midnight came, Christmas day began and The Pogues “Fairy Tale of New York” was being played closely followed by East 17 “Stay Another Day” and after that things just got down right silly. At kicking out time the party once again decamped to Mouth bar where the advertised Duos-themed costume party concept had been ignored in favour of Santa suits, penguin onesies and shirtless-ness due to the extremely sweaty heat of the place, nice.

But it turns out there is nothing quite like a bit of festive cheer to get people moving, the dance floor was packed regardless of the song choice (the Macarena was bizarrely played and even move bizarrely danced to) and friendships were being struck up all over the bar by people who suddenly felt a burning desire to embrace the person next to them and then promptly forget their name.  Also it has got to be a mark of a successful night when the bar staff are surpassing their customers in the drunk stakes yet still managing to keep a rowdy crowd served.

The clock struck kicking out time again and so began the long walk home down Mouth’s precarious stairway and along the icy roads. It was 3am and bed was calling my name for a short but deep sleep before Christmas began in earnest. Up early and busy from the off I had an absolutely great day, forcing Santa hats on everyone I saw and handing out candy canes willy-nilly. Absolutely determined to get at least a few runs in between work I headed out and wasn’t disappointed, on my second run of the day who did I bump into? The Milka Cow, wearing an oversized Santa hat and handing out chocolaty treats. Very Christmassy.

A quick vin chaud break later and off I went to the best part of my day.  The Hotel Christina has a wonderful annual tradition where the kids and guests all gather outside on the terrace to drink hot chocolate and sing Christmas carols whilst they wait for their ‘special visitor’.  Each year when the kids are singing loud enough that he can hear them, Santa will appear and come snowboarding down the Stade bearing gifts for all the children. It’s an awesome tradition and the kids get really into it, so yours truly – being overly endowed with Christmas cheer, had volunteered herself to be one of Santa’s elves and come down the Stade alongside him carrying his sack and filming it with his go pro (naturally Santa go-pros all his public appearances).

It was great fun, dressed in green sallopettes, red ski jacket and elf hat complete with pointy ears and rosy cheeks, I came down the Stade behind Santa, waving to the crowd and praying that my ski skills wouldn’t show me up in front of the fans. Absolutely the most festive thing I’ve done and I shall have to offer my services again next year.

Well that’s about it from me this week, all that’s left as I send this in is a bunch of very brave (or very stupid) people heading out for Boxing Day Boxers, yes that is coming down the hill wearing nothing but your pants, I don’t recommend it, ice burn is a real issue!

Anyway I hope you’ve all had as good a Christmas as I have, I’m sorry that its over but now lets start planning our New years eve!