Verbier Apres Ski Report: 3rd February 2012

So as we move steadily through the season, the village has been increasingly busy each week - and as a result the hot spots around town have been filling up with people looking to enjoy all Verbier has to offer. DJ Ratty crowded the dance floors of Casbah on Tuesday night with some classic hip-hop as the seasonaires celebrated their night off. Wednesday saw the 4th annual Mixology competition at Coup d’Etat. Shaking, flaring and even flames took over the bar for the evening – as competitors first made their own drink, then secondly a drink where the ingredients were chosen for them. Big congrats go to Simon from Farinet Lounge who took the coveted title for 2012.

As we roll into the weekend, rugby is on everyone’s mind – the first major weekend of the year sees some huge games, and both Pub Mont Fort and T Bar will be showing all the games live. Before you crouch, touch, pause and engage, head up the mountain to Le Chaux this Saturday or Sunday for the Ski Cross Coop Tour. Verbier is holding a stage of the national Ski Cross tour, with more than 100 athletes from more than 20 countries expected to participate. The run is open to everyone; even Johnny Tables who I’m sure will be representing all 4 of his nationalities.

Hed Kandi will undoubtedly kick off again this Saturday, with Greg Myers turning the tables in Farinet Lounge and Casbah. We welcome back Madison for the first time this season to Apres Ski @ Farinet this Saturday. If you’re in town between 4th and 14th February, I highly recommend catching the Argentinian 4-piece rocking the stage everyday from 5pm. T Bar has it’s usual quality line up of live music this week – Jessica Avison is playing on Tuesday and Wrightside return on Thursday from 9:30pm.

As the legs begin to burn after a hard day tearing up the slopes, there are few better places to stop for a hard earned drink than Bar 1936. If the sun is shining pull up a deckchair and drink in the amazing views across the valley. If, like this weekend, it’s a wee bit nippy outside, then you can thaw your toes in front of the open fires while reclining on the leather couches. This Saturday the Farinet team takes over at 1936 with DJ Rob Sugarfree Solari welcoming you down the hill with some great tunes between 3pm-6pm.

If you have any spare lampshades lying around – and frankly, who doesn’t – then pop it on your head and wander down to Loft this Sunday for what is promised to be a great evening. Following the success of the Stripe Party a couple of weeks ago, Verbier Seasonaires present The Lampshade Party from 10pm at Loft and has some of the best prices in town for drinks.

Looking ahead to next weekend, there is The Dahu Bruson Freeride competition, allowing riders from all over the world to do battle on two faces prepared by DahuShaper. Snowboarders, skiers and telemakers, the Dahu Bruson Freeride brings around one hundred riders together, men and women, and aims to provide a springboard for the qualifying rounds of the World Tour.

Mutterings of Mardi Gras have started around town, with the themes being announced by all the favourite venues. In the immortal words of Johnny Tables, let's not speak too soon – but there will much more to come on that in the next few weeks! The excitement is building.

Wrap up and strap up. We’re in for a cold one.