Welcome to the first Après Ski Report of the 2011/12 season. We are Victoria and Tom and we’ll be here each week to tell you all about what’s been going on around town, what’s coming up, the best bars, cafes, clubs and many other activities that Morzine has to offer.
As the town starts to get a little busier, the opening of the lifts in Avoriaz and some great snow up there have led to some amazing first days of skiing. If you like to hit it hard and pack in some decent hours of uncrowded piste time, then now is a great time to be here and well worth getting up early… although we’ve never been one for a first lift ourselves.
Down in town however, Bar Robinson (Robo’s) is, as always, a good place to start your Après ski, with a decent mix of locals, holiday makers and seasonnaires already filling the bar and street outside. Run by a friendly French couple, it is conveniently situated along Rue du Bourg. It serves its Mutzig on tap, vin chaud (of course) and other delights until 7.30pm each evening and, even though there is no music, it certainly doesn’t lack atmosphere.
After a few Mutzigs in Robo’s on Saturday we hurried home to shed the ski gear before heading back down to a smallish bar come restaurant called Bistrot Chez Roger, also located on Rue du Bourg and open from 3pm-2am daily. Whilst drinking some rather reasonably priced wine and getting to know our new friends (who we met earlier that day on a ski lift), we sat hugged by cosy sheep skin chair covers and were served free hot bar snacks in the heated terrace. All this in all a lovely little bar so well worth a visit.
But it was soon time to climb the hill up to our next bar. Le Crèpu can be found along the main street, Route du Pleney, in the centre of town and is open daily from 1pm-2am. When we arrived at around 10pm it was already heaving so we squeezed our way to the bar for some more Mutzigs and wine, then perched ourselves round an old wooden barrel. Crèpu is popular with both the English and French and is generally always busy and a safe bet for a good night out. They also hosts some live DJ nights throughout the season.
Lastly we made our way down the somewhat slippery stairs to the ever popular Cavern, playing a mixture of chart and cheesy music for everyone to enjoy. It is situated alongside the Tibetan Bar and Coyote Bar (also along Route du Pleney, next to Le Crepu) and is open until 2am. Here we drank, danced and celebrated the start of the season…although in how much style I’m not quite sure as we were pretty merry by this time! A very sore head on Sunday but surely that’s the sign of a good night…
So, now we cross our fingers for more snow and await the grand opening of the Morzine ski runs which is set for this Saturday, 17th Dec. However, if this doesn’t go to plan then there are plenty of other fun things to be doing around town…
The eagerly anticipated new indoor swimming pool and spa area at the Palais du Sports, complete with 3 saunas and 2 steam rooms is due to open this Saturday and should be a welcome place to wind down after a hard days skiing…or maybe just for that well deserved mid-week treat.
The Tibetan Bar also has its opening night on Saturday from 8pm. This cosy and rather quirky bar is a great place to come and chill out on the big comfy sofas or maybe even play some chess if it takes your fancy. During the season they are open throughout the day from 2pm-2am, with Happy Hour daily from 4-6pm and live music on a Thursday.
Le Tremplin (situated at the bottom of Pleney) also mark the start of their Après ski season on the 14th Dec with a live DJ from 4-8pm. And throughout the season they are open daily from 8am-8pm, serving a variety of food and drinks.
A great café definitely worth a visit is Beanies, located along Rue du Borg and open daily from 8am-7pm. Run by a really friendly English family (and not to mention very helpful during our first few weeks in Morzine), they serve excellent coffees, smoothies, cakes and the Cornish pasties are on their way too! The prices are very reasonable and with the added benefit of free WIFI, it’s a great place to spend a few hours catching up or just to grab a quick coffee. It also doubles as a ski/board shop, offering hire, sales and repairs.
Last but definitely not least, Christmas is now only 11 days away and to kick off the festivities there are various events starting around town for all the family to enjoy. On Sunday 18th there is a parade on the streets of the village at 4.30pm, described as ’bizarre yet funny at the same time’…make of this what you will!
On Monday 19th there are welcome drinks and live music from the band Les Bloodies outside the Office de Tourisme at 4pm.
On Tuesday 20th at the Pleney the ESF instructors will put on a History of Skiing show, finishing with a Torch Lit Descent. From 6pm with free vin chaud on offer.
So that’s all for this week’s report, enjoy the snow and make the most of these wonderfully empty slopes! Until next time…
Bon Après!
