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Meribel Apres Ski Report: 22nd February 2013

There's a moose loose...

featured in Nightlife reviews Author Jack Franks, Meribel Reporter Updated

With a job starting this weekend, I have been able to stop, take a deep breath and have a good look around... and the first thing I noticed was a missing moose.

Anyone familiar with the resort will know that there is a spot just outside the tourist office reserved for a large decorative feature that sits in place for the whole season. Two seasons ago it was a wooden bench with a huge carved man sitting on it and a wooden dog sat next to him – it was charming. Who can forget the giant moose last year pulling a beautiful wooden sleigh? The poor thing had its antlers snapped off several times by drunken punters but it kept coming back for more.

This year, the people in charge of our centrepiece have gone for a different vibe entirely. No more carved wooden masterpieces that compliment the rustic feel of the resort. Instead we have an absolutely gigantic golden teddy bear with the Meribel heart on his belly. He is made of tinsel. Oh...and at night he lights up. I’ll let you make your own mind up about him but have a look at the pictures and let us know what you think below...

If you happen to find yourself in resort with a day or two to spare and no lift pass, there are other ways to enjoy yourself. This week I took the bus up to Mottaret and followed the walking trail that goes around the lake there. It’s quite quiet and there just a few other walkers and a horse drawn sleigh that will take you around the lake for a fee.

The one and only building on the side of the lake is a little restaurant that sells hot chocolate and vin chaud for a very reasonable €3/€3.50. On a sunny day it is a lovely place to sit in a deck chair with a hot drink and watch the horse trotting around the lake and parapenters gliding through the sky overhead.

Do you like skiing? Do you like the light of the moon? Why not head over to Courchevel 1850 and combine the two for the ludicrously good value price of €6. Running for the next two Wednesday evenings between six and eight, the €6 pass gives you access to a bubble lift that takes you up above the family park so you have the choice to enjoy either a floodlit piste back down to 1850 or a run through the park for you freestyle skiers.

Something a bit different for music fans next week. ‘High Voltage’, an AC/DC tribute band will be playing in the Meribel Auditorium on Wednesday night. Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre for €10 and the band is on at 9pm. Book in advance to avoid disappointment, this promises to be a rip roaring rock and rollercoaster of a night!

Finally, I made an invaluable discovery on Sunday evening. The Den (above Dick’s Tea Bar) has always been a great place to come for a pint, a chat and some good entertainment. On Sunday evenings however, bring a mate and this will be the cheapest pint you will find for miles around. 2 for 1 on beer, house wine and house mixers. That works out at just over €3 for a Kronenbourg – a bargain by anyone’s standards.

I'll see you in there this coming Sunday then?!!