Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report:8th April 2010

From my viewpoint behind the bar, the students had a great night and those of us who were working enjoyed listening to some top-class DJs while serving copious amounts of snakebite and wine with Red Bull... a new delicacy, even for the students!

Nero was incredible, and their mix of dark, heavy beats was a welcome change to the more commercial tracks mixed by the resort's usual DJs. The Stanton Warriors headlined the night, but their selection of tracks wasn't anything different from what we'd heard played by other DJs throughout the week. I was a little disappointed, as I'd heard really good things about them, but Nero's performance made up for it and I went home to bed a happy girl, as did the rest of the Smithy's staff who worked the bars.

After such a hectic week of work and partying, you'd have expected us all to have a quiet weekend, but alas it was not to be, with two major sporting events planned for the Friday and Saturday. The first, was the Derby de la Meije and – while not strictly an après event – is just as famous for it's party as for it's race.

The three-day event culminates in a Chinese freeride downhill race, in which over 800 entrants take-on the unpisted slopes of La Grave, pitting themselves against the clock as they're released from the start gate in groups of ten. It's a total free-for-all and with competitors completing the course on skis, snowboards, telemarks, handiskis, luges and other sliding objects, it can get a little hectic.

This year, six of us from Les Deux Alpes entered and the most successful – as always – was Heather, who came third in the Female Telemarker category. And while everyone is there for the race and the love of this infamous mountain, the fun really starts after the results are announced and the party continues long into the night with bands, DJs and bongos.

On Saturday, Alpe d'Huez hosted the Mundialito, the resort's answer to five-a-side World Cup football. Each team is given a World Cup country to represent and the event attracts, not only the regular teams from Alpe d'Huez's local league, but teams from the surrounding villages too.

The British team – commonly known as Smithy's, although not all players work at the Tavern of Dreams – played in Portugal's red strip and inched their way to the finals thanks to goals by Scottish John and Josh. The final took place on Sunday, and the Brits lost when their goal against Spain was disallowed because the other team were still celebrating... or time wasting depending on who you talk to!

Only momentarily upset by the decision, but cheered by the boos of the French crowd, the British team brushed-off the loss and instead started to focus for their league final tomorrow. On Monday, as the final part of the Mundialito competition, the final two teams played against a selection of celebrated ex-inational players from the French team. I was sorely disappointed when I realised that Zidane, Henry and Cisse weren't in the squad, but it was fun to watch anyway.

A littl-known gem of Alpe d'Huez's après scene is the Cinema de Signal which shows films in English once or twice a week. As a seasonaire, films in VOST (version originale sous-titres) are a treat and this week the bill included both Shutter Island and Ghost Writer. Even for holidaymakers, the cinema provides a chance to catch a film before it's UK release or to while away a quiet mid-holiday evening. And afternoon showings are scheduled for bad-weather days. You can pick up the week's listings at the Office du Tourisme or the Palais Des Sports.

I saw Shutter Island as was mighty glad The Boyfriend could take some time off work to hold my hand through the scary scenes. Definitely worth a watch, but don't go alone!

For a full list of this week's events, check out our What's On Calendar. You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.