Morzine Apres Ski Report: 26th December 2012
It's a tough job.. but someone's got to do it!!!
So, here we are, a couple of weeks into the winter season and all the newest and loudest après parties in Morzine are starting to show their true colours. In a completely selfless mission to find you the best way to spend your après ski hours, I’ve been along to all of them. I know, it was tough, you can thank me later.
Here are my top 5 apres drinking venues, old and new, in Morzine this winter.
Basscamp Apres at Le Tremplin, Morzine
Well established as the busiest and loudest après party in Morzine, Le Tremplin at the bottom of the Pleney piste literally shakes with an avalanche of sound every Wednesday and Friday afternoon between 4pm and 8pm during the winter season. Basscamp resident DJs play funk, house, breaks and D&B and I’m told there’ll be special guest DJs during the season too. Drinks prices are reasonable, you’re slap bang in the centre of the resort and the terrace is covered and heated on those chilly afternoons.
Le Tibetan Café, Morzine
Still known by many as the Buddha Bar, Le Tibetan offers a more civilised après experience, with a long list of fine wines, bar nibbles and table service. Owner Tony has booked new live music acts from Chamonix, such as the Pistey Boys and Chris Topliss to play throughout the winter season and there’s live DJs every night. If you haven’t already, you’ll find Le Tibetan in the centre of Morzine, underneath the Crepu and next to the Cavern.
Happy Hours Bar, Ardent
Located at the bottom of the Ardent telecabine, après parties kicked off at the Happy Hour Bar last winter but lost a bit of momentum due to noise complaints. Whatever problems they had have now been resolved by barman Viktor and Wednesday afternoons see the outdoor terrace packed out with live bands and DJs. There’s seasonaire drinks specials when you show your season lift pass and the free navette to Morzine stops right outside the bar. The Happy Hours Bar is a great après venue if you want to stay on the snow for drinks without heading into Morzine.
Prodains Rocks – Hotel Neige et Roc, Prodains
You’ll find the Hotel Neige et Roc and their huge heated terrace at the bottom of the Crot run, which connects Avoriaz with Prodains. Basscamp Sessions DJs play house, drum and bass, funk, electro and breaks every Monday and Thursday between 4pm and 7pm. The free navette to Morzine runs from Prodains every 10 minutes until 8pm, giving you plenty of time to get your ski boot stomp on. Prodains Rocks is the perfect way to end a day on the hill in Avoriaz.
Hotel L’Aubergade, Morzine
Until the guys from Mountain Mavericks took over L’Aubergade, right on the Pleney in an amazing location, none of us had even noticed its existence. Their newly styled bar now offers a more sophisticated après scene with a cocktail list to die for. It’s rear terrace faces right onto the Pleney homerun and if you (like me…) like to start your après early, they have a delicious lunch menu too. L’Aubergade is a great après venue for families – send the kids off with a sledge, then sit back and watch them while you sip a Mojito.
So, that completes your Morzine après ski briefing for this week. The next big decision we have is where to spend new years eve! New DJ collective DANG are playing at Chez Roger (more on them next week…), there’ll be live DJs at Le Tibetan and the Crepu and there’s the obligatory night of cheese in the Cavern if that’s your bag.
Wherever you end up, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
