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After the alarming lack of snow that
prevailed over much of last winter, season 2002/03 couldn't have
started with more of a snowy bang. Looking out of my window as I
write, it falls with its calming, silent soothingness, and val is
the winter wonderland that made it so famous. The superb conditions
have however had a somewhat adverse effect on various aspects of
resort life. No one seems to be going out. Well, that is perhaps
a slight exageration, but more people are interested in getting
a good night's sleep and getting first lifts, than they are in sinking
toffee shots in Dick's until they turn the lights on.
Ride the bull
However it would be unfair to say that Val hasn't had its fair share
of boozy fesitivities. The season was kicked off by the openeing
of a new late night bar beneath the Warm Up Cafe on the main street.
High ceilinged, light and with a modern decor so refreshing in a
town full of wooden walls, ceilings and floors, it provides Dick's
and Club 21 with much needed competition and seasonaires somewhere
else to go and get hammered.
 The
bar also has the added attraction of a rodeo bull (very funny but
not to be recommended after 15 pints of Mutzig) and pole dancers
on a Sunday evening. Surprisingly quite a hit with the lads. Perhaps
it will serve to push other bars in town to refresh and revamp their
image.
Comfy cocktails
In the bar upstairs is located Greg's Cocktail bar, curtained off
with plush seats that defy you the right to get out of them.
 Greg's
bottomless pit of cocktail knowledge and endless stream of stories
about how Val used to party, serves to make the evening very alcoholic,
very entertaining. Refeshingly different from the crowded holiday
makers spilling pints on the floor, making too much noise and generally
doing what one is supposed to do when on holiday.
Roof top jacuzzis
Talking of successes, the Toit du Monde down in La Daille is one
more proving to be a huge one, and this season has added roof top
Jacuzzis, a two way mirror, and a sauna to keep you occupied and
in no way out of trouble. Besides being my favorite restaurant in
town, its menu is ecclecitc, exotic and just fabulous, its staff
are discreet, civilised and knowledgeable, and Kim's cocktails are
simply lethal. I am fully aware that it is in a price range beyond
most seasonaires, but if you want to blow out and have a luxury
meal in luxurious surroundings you can't beat it - and bathers are
also provided for those who didn't think getting wet was part of
their 6 course meal. Beside the restaurant, tucked under the jacuzzis
in the old garages lies another of Val's success stories of the
season...
Test facility
Snowtech is the on site testing facility offered by Precision and
Snow Fun. Run with aplomb by Charlie, Richie Bean and new recruit
Miles, it offers seasonaires and punters alike the opportunity to
try all the latest gear before buying it, whilst the boys run up
tabs in the Toit du Monde and take full advantage of the facilities.
They are all three knowledgable, helpful and charming, and at all
times willing to share their enthusiasm for the latest toys and
life in general (especially in Pacific at about 12.30am).
 The
BBQ and free for all test day run by them
last week was an over whelming success, with more than 150 pairs
of skis tested during the course of the day, plus countless snowboards,
whilst those more inclined to chilling out enjoyed the generous
BBQ, vin chaud and beer that was on offer on the terrace, got cheeky
in the jacuzzi or simply socialised in the ways that seasonaires
do best.
More gossip...
As it goes, everyone seems to be having a ball, and for the latest
news and gossip check out the Marmotte
Times on line or in bars and restaurants around the resort.
Report from Izzy Rogers -
Natives Resort Reporter in Val
d'Isere
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