Verbier Apres Ski Report: 17th February 2012

This week has been, frankly, eventful. The Shot Party was another great night presented by Verbier Seasonaires in The Crock, and the party continued later into the night at Casbah. Valentine’s Day has been the talking point of the week, with restaurant tables and dance floors equally crowded. Both T Bar and Casbah did their utmost to make sure love was in the air, by hosting Traffic Light parties on Tuesday night. Predictably, the majority of the dance floors were flooded with green, as ‘the reds’ were presumably busy occupying the various eateries around town. Waste have taken over the stage at Apres Ski @ the Farinet this week, and will be rocking the post skiing crowds until 25th February – definitely pop in and see them play live while you’re in town (everyday from 6pm).

The Verbier Panto had its final performance this Wednesday – if you missed it, then you missed out! The second annual pantomime was massively entertaining and completely sold out for both performances of Three Little Pigs – as always raising lots of money for a fantastic local charity; this year La Foundation Janyce.

So, as Valentine's fades into the distance for another year, there is one thing, and one thing only, on everyone’s lips (except Johnny’s last night) - Mardi Gras is coming! Fancy dress of all shapes and sizes, 24 hour parties and pancakes. Directly translated, Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, referring to the last day of indulgence before the fasting season begins. I’m fairly sure there will be little to no fasting going on here in the coming weeks, but indulgence will most certainly be the order of the day, night, and day again, come Tuesday.

Simply put, it is one of the biggest (and longest) parties of the season. All the fancy dress themes have been announced by the various venues around town. Farinet and Casbah will be sending everyone back to the Stone Age, Pub Mont Fort will be transformed into Heaven and Hell, Le Rouge is going Disney for the day, Public is set up for a School reunion and T Bar will be welcoming everyone in two by two with Noah’s Ark. Pick one, try and do all, make up your own… up to you, just dress up and find some stamina. It’ll be worth it when you’re watching the Wednesday morning sunrise from the terrace of Le Rouge surrounded by a caveman, the Little Mermaid and a giraffe. JT will be there as all three of those, make sure you’re there too.

For those of you not lucky enough to be able to party continuously for 24 hours on a Tuesday, there is a great line up this weekend in town, too. Brandon Block returns this Friday to Farinet Lounge and then Casbah from 10pm – if you’ve never seen him play then get down there for some uplifting tunes and one of the most entertaining personalities you’ll ever see behind the decks. Pub Mont Fort have their Pull-In Pants party as well this Friday – get into your pants, and enjoy the various drinks specials and in-house piercer they have lined up for the night. Probably best in that order. Pants and piercings are two things Johnny Tables has in abundance. Hed Kandi returns, strong as ever, this Saturday in Farinet lounge and Casbah from 10pm – this week Sam Cannon will be entertaining the weekenders.

If you’re still standing later in the week, the regular Thursday night attractions of School Disco at Public, Jamaican Night with Idren Sound at Casbah and Seasonaires night at Kings Bar are all on offer. It’s that time of the month again in Farinet Lounge on Friday, as The Burlesque Show returns with Lily DesLys – if last month’s was anything to go by it’ll be a popular night, so get there early to avoid being disappointed on the door.

With all the craziness of next week, if a quiet night in is more what the doctor ordered, then pop along to the Verbier Library for free wi-fi access, more than 600 books and 700+ DVDs for free. Yes, for free. I can assure you it’s not very often you can say that in Verbier. Opening hours are from 4-6pm everyday, Friday until 8pm. What’s more, every Friday evening at the library, between 6pm and 8pm, they offer free wine and snacks, designed as a social occasion to meet fellow readers. Paying for DVDs? Not anymore.

Mardi Gras AND snow. What a week lined up – enjoy!