Val d'Isere Apres Ski Report: 23rd February 2012
Checking out a new bar in Tignes
It’s been lovely weather so far this week. It’s warmed up a lot and even though the slopes are busy with the half term holidays, there’s still plenty of snow and the pistes are great.
It was a beautiful sunny day on Tuesday so I met up with some friends and we went riding over in Tignes. After a good few hours up on the hill, we were all a bit peckish and thirsty. As we were on our way back to Val from Tignes Le Breviere, we headed to the bottom of the Palafour lift in Tignes Le Lac and went to check out a new bar we’d been hearing a bit about.
The Marmot Arms is aptly named as there is a marmot reserve just under the Palafour lift. If you’re standing at the bottom of the lift, head to your left and in the row of shops just before the Snowpark shop you will find this new bar.
We were greeted warmly as we walked in and pulled up a pew at the bar where much needed refreshments were ordered. After a perusal of the menu which offers burgers ranging from the classics to a veggie aubergine, pesto and sun-dried tomato burger topped with brie and a special Marmot burger (not made of marmots though!). There are also breakfast baps of bacon or Cumberland sausages and fries or wedges to share.
The kitchen is open from 12.30pm until 2.30pm and then again in the evening from 6pm until 9.30pm so perfect for a lunch time or après ski feed.
The service was fast and the food was good, really filling burgers to satisfy the hunger after a hard day's riding. There are also English crisps for sale if you’re just after a quick snack and a taste of home.
There are all the usual drinks as well as real ale with Young’s Gold and Bombardier on offer and the staff are more than happy to knock up a range of shots for you. Although having to ride back to Val meant we didn’t partake.
The bar itself is a nice open space decorated in Alpine style with plenty of friendly marmot pictures and some interesting stuffed animals which were presents from parents randomly enough.
Head down the stairs and you will find the Burrow Bar. An atmospheric space with comfy sofas, a pool table and for all you video game fanatics out there, you can get your fix of Buckhunter, a shoot-‘em-up old school arcade game. There’s a bar down there tucked into the corner and it’s also the venue for live bands and I’ve been told it’s rocking when there’s music on.
At the moment, the weekly events are Wednesday après ski with DJ Lindo in the window playing soul and funk upstairs from 5pm until 7pm. Then every Wednesday night from 10pm until 12pm there’s live music from The Trois Tetes who are a 3 piece keyboard and guitar set-up and they’ll be rocking out the Burrow Bar with all your favourite covers.
Happy hour everyday is from 4pm until 6pm with two-for-one pints of Stella to get the night off to a good start, or end if you’re that way inclined.
The bars open from 12pm all the way through to 2am. Owners Will and Alex are friendly guys with a good knowledge of the resort and there’s a good mix of clientele with lots of French, English, Aussie and more frequenting the place.
So next time you’re over in Tignes Le Lac, get yourself down to the Marmot Arms whether your hungry or thirsty and see what this new bar has to offer.
That’s it from me this week, have fun, stay safe and TTFN.
