The 2alpesnet.Com Les Deux Alpes Après Ski Report

Video Jam winners ScottyDave and Big Chris

Les Deux Alpes is a resort that exudes fun. Once the lifts have closed for the day there's still plenty to do, with choice ranging from swimming in the snow at the outdoor pool, ice skating, bowling, skidooing and relaxing in the immersion tanks at the Aqua Centre. If you've not had your fill of skiing or snowboarding during the day, then you can hit the slopes once again from 8pm for floodlit skiing on the Lutins piste. The bars and restaurants offer a range of food and music to suit all tastes, although there is a propensity for drum 'n' bass at the smaller bars such as Les Bluets, The Lounge Bar and Le Rhumerie.

But it's the seasonaires and their fearless lust for fun that really brings this town to life. Every night of the week you'll find the locals and workers organising parties, themed fancy-dress nights and events to entertain the hundreds of tourists eager to make this holiday one they won't forget. We're a resourceful bunch and for the last two weeks the preferred topic of seasonaire conversation has been the Smokey Joe's Video Jam.

The premier, held on Tuesday night, exceeded all our expectations! The competition, now in its second year involves teams creating their own short films incorporating props, riding and love for Deux Alpes. Over a two-week period the teams must write, film and edit their pieces with the best four being shown at Smokey Joe's and all qualifying for prizes.

Deux Alpes has a burgeoning film scene and organiser Simon Parfitt (aka DJ Chef) regularly promotes the resorts with his snowboard movies, including Winter 09's park film,Steal This Movie. The idea behind the event was to encourage seasonaires onto the hill in the busy February weeks and provide a creative outlet for the talent in resort, both behind the camera and in the Snow Park. Despite collaborating with Si on Deux Alpes-based documentary, Ways 2 Winter, I was banned from entering due to my new residency status... after three years I've crossed the valley to take-up winter residence – winter only, mind! – in Alpe d'Huez.

Last week, when all the entrants were filming and editing in secret, I was gutted to be left out but, after watching the first few seconds of the first film, I was flooded with relief. The standard was so high this year that I'd have totally embarrassed myself. I'm definitely sticking to my comfort zone of Video Snow Reports and documentaries.

The four films that made it through the initial selection were shown on Tuesday night to a large crowd. The finalists were: Ski Hunter, Pineapple Productions, Team Zoltan and ScottyDave. The films were judged on riding ability, editing and storyline, encouraging creativity in the Snow Park as well as with the scripts.

Last year's winner, Team Zoltan came third and after two rounds of judging by the panel – and a lot of encouragement from the crowd – the first prize was given to ScottyDave and Big Chris, for their fantastic film, Scotty Dave vs Big White. The synopsis of the film was that agent, Big White, would hire heavies to keep pesky skiers off the boxes and rails in the Snow Park, allowing pro-rider ScottyDave free reign to practice his tricks. The acting and script was hilarious, but it was ScottyDave's riding that clinched first place. In this comp, his commitment to snowboarding really was obvious, making him by far the best rider on film.

Unfortunately, the man himself was hard at work behind the Upstairs Bar at Smithy's Tavern when the results were announced, but Big Chris lugged the enormous trophy across town for this celebratory photo. ScottyDave took the news in his usual, unassuming manner and the celebrations continued at l'Avalanche until dawn. You can view all the films here.

Coming up next week, the big event in Les Deux Alpes is the Comedy Night held at The Lounge Bar on Wednesday 10th March and starring Angelos Epithemiou of BBC's Shooting Stars. Tickets are available in advance at the bar for 15€ per person, but don't leave it too late...


For a full list of this week's events, check out our What's On Calendar. You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.