Chamonix Apres Ski Report:4th February 2011

Well hasn't town been quiet this week, where did everyone go? I think that it's the quiet before the storm and February madness kicks in.
Last weekend saw the opening of the new Y Bar. It is on the high street just along from the Pub on your right hand side. Considering the quick change over time the bar looked amazing inside, still a few finishing off bits upstairs but generally very swish with nice leopard print curtains as you walk in! It was very busy on Saturday night with lots of familiar faces appearing to check it out. Some funky tunes made for a great atmosphere and if you're after a fancy cocktail then it's a good place to head, don't forget to check out the awesome decking area out the back.
Despite the lack of snow I headed up to Grand Montet first thing Sunday morning and the piste's really are in excellent condition and amazing fun. Flat, hard and fast and the snow canons are doing a great job. After a full day on the hill and having missed the shops we head to Monkey Bar for their €10 Sunday roast. There was a choice of lamb, turkey or beef and they came with all the trimmings, combine that with 2 for 1 beers and it was a great Sunday lunch.
Monday night I headed down the Cinema and checked out the new Harry Potter. It made a nice change from the pubs and bars and the film was excellent! It is good practice for your French too as the film is the original and then there are French subtitles. Did you know that wand is ‘baguette magique' in French!! There are quite a few English films showing over the next few weeks, including Black Swan, so head down and check it out.
I have been frequenting La Terrasse a lot this week and Tuesday night got quite messy thanks to their ‘Tequila Tuesdays'. Last night ‘The Spokes' provided some great live music, next time you're in make sure you check out the upstairs, it is easy to miss and is a great if you're looking for somewhere a bit more chilled than downstairs.
Bored of no snow and in need of some excitement, yesterday we headed to Italy for the day and had a go on their Ski de Fond track. Ski de Fond is cross country skiing you have long narrow skis that are only attached at the toe. There are two types, ‘Classique' where you ski along in two man-made grooves, this is a similar action to the cross-trainer you have in gyms and then there is the ‘Skating' style. You can give it a go in Chamonix as well; there is a track in town near the MBC and one in Argentiere. The equipment is cheap to hire around €12 for the day, head to the Intersport just before MBC.
The six nations start again today with a fire cracker of a first match between England and Wales. There are several good bars for watching sport round town, including The Pub, Le Jekyll and Hyde and Le Vert. Tonight I will be heading to the Vagabond where there have just installed two new screens and an HD projector. With the owner being Welsh it'll be a great spot to watch England achieve victory!
See you all next week and as always keep your fingers crossed for winter to return!