Courchevel Apres Ski Report: 8th March 2013

Based upon the success of its Autumnal predecessor Movember, Mo March is a month of facial hair when all the men in resort lay down their razors and do their utmost to grow some facial fluff all in the name of charity. And the charity that benefits here in Courchevel is our very own Huck Cancer Foundation which supports Macmillan and Chambery Hospital. As mentioned in a previous report, Huck Cancer was formed after one Season worker, Marcus Parrott, was undergoing chemotherapy during one season living and working in resort. Over the last five years almost £60,000 has been raised through race days, ski raffle evenings and the growth of inches of bum fluff.

This month there's a schedule of events planned to accompany the hair growth which started this Wednesday with Pub Golf. For those not au fait with this sports themed drinks fest, Pub Golf is loosely based on a round of golf with nine or 18 holes. Each hole is a particular drink in a particular bar and a par is assigned to it and named on the score card, setting a goal. For instance a pint of lager might be assigned a par three, allowing you three attempts at sinking the pint whereas a shot of tequilla would be given a par one with the assumption that all should get it down in one. Generally you are assigned a caddy who will both support you through the evening’s shenanigans and monitor your score. It was with trepidation therefore that we set off in our golfing finest on Wednesday to conquer the course.

Needless to say what transpired was much drunkenness and three-legged fun around the bars in resort, with bus travel on windy roads to make all but the strongest stomachs queezy, having just sunk some questionable drinks at speed. There were certainly some sore heads in resort yesterday and a few sore ankles. Being attached to your caddy at the ankle made getting in and out of bars and off buses an even bigger challenge having to coordinate movements.

After the carnage of the night before last night was a more chilled affair as we were treated to some pretty impressive fireworks at the hands of the Spanish entry to the 11th annual International Fireworks Festival here in Courchevel. Vin chaud in hand, I joined the crowds to watch ESF performing a highly cringeworthy dance display to Gangnam Style before they skied to the foot of the pistes in a torchlit descent. After the night before it was a suitably relaxed evening and I highly recommend you catch the next display on Tuesday out of Le Praz if you’re heading our way.

So if you’re visiting in March keep your eyes peeled for some galiant attempts at moustache making and future events taking place. Coming up next week is the Valley Rally on Thursday, a sort of treasure hunt on skis. Then, later in the month, don your fancy dress and pull out your race skis for Race Day.

Just be sure to leave your razor at home to get into the spirit of the mo....