Nightlife Previews and reviews in Val d'Isere

Blue skies are back in Val d’Isere and, after last week’s storms with 200kph winds, they are very, very welcome.

In Val d’Isere, it can be hard to catch up with friends when you’re all working a lot and days or nights off don’t coincide. I hadn’t seen my friend for a few weeks and it turns out we both had the same night off so we decided to make a night of it; get dressed up and have a classy night.

For a week early in the season, it hasn’t been looking like it. Heavy snow falls aside, Val has been looking suspiciously like Santa’s workshop courtesy of the Criterium de la Premiere Neige preparations. The media trucks have been moving around town, from the bottom of the Bellevard’s Face over to the OK in la Daille. As we speak, pisteurs and members of the Club des Sports operations team are setting up gates, scraping snow, and placing their blow up sponsorship emblems just so.

Happy New Year and welcome to 2012, the year that will apparently, according to the Mayan calendar and certain Hollywood films, see the end of the world. One thing for sure is that for most of us the holidays are over and although that may seem like the end of the world, life goes on.

The first week of the season can only mean one thing for Après-Ski and nightlife around Val d’Isère - life is good when you’re here early! This week we saw the opening nights of some of our favorite places to eat, drink, and party and with everyone celebrating opening weekend and the confirmation of the Criterium, Val d’Isere was rocking....

Welcome all to the first Val d’Isere après report of season 2011/2012, and I’m pleased to say I’m looking out the window onto a blanket of snow several feet deep and bluebird skies. This certainly wasn’t the case a few days ago when the mountain was still very green (red and yellow) and autumnal. But, thanks to Hewie, the beloved god of snow, wishes were granted and the white stuff fell from the sky in masses, and apparently more is on the way.

This week was Valentine’s Day and just happened to be my day off too. I made the most of it by going out for dinner with my partner. By the time we were both ready to go it was getting quite late, as in 10pm late! So we decided to head down to the Taverne d’Alsace, located beneath the Billabong Café and Hotel Kandahar, on the opposite side of the roundabout from the bus station.

When it comes to partying Val d’Isere is one of the jewels of the French Alps. With Apres ski table dancing in ski boots and nightclubs aplenty, finding the best clubs can sometimes be a bit of a struggle.

Just like Bob Marley sang, here in Val d’Isere the sun is shining and weather is sweet. Unlike Bob though, this doesn’t make you want to get on your dancing feet but rather grab a chair in the sun and kick back and relax.

Most weeks, we don’t think Mum would mind too much what we do. We’re adults, we’re financially dependent, and, you know, we can legally drink. But last week, last week was a whole different story. Unfortunately, the game of GNAR came back to Val with a vengeance. If you are unfamiliar with this concept, you can stumble upon a video posted by some of our competitors on youtube… But first, let me explain.

With some snow this week followed by blue skies, the skiing’s been great and everyone’s happy.

It’s been a lovely week weather-wise with clear blue skies everyday and although it’s a bit cold, if you wrap up warm you don’t feel it. The pistes are great and it’s clouded over today in preparation for the snow that’s forecast for these next few days. Life is good here in Val d’Isere.

The end of season is nigh and people are starting to pack their bags and leave. It’s always sad when the people you’ve become close to leave, even after only a season or two and it’s harder still when you know they’re not just leaving the country but the continent too!

This week brings the return of the much-anticipated X Games to our neighbours in Tignes and, with Olympic winner Shaun White making an appearance this year, there’s an exciting buzz around.

It’s been one hell of a musical week! With the après music sessions taking place every day, it’s surprising our lives haven’t become a singing only musical!