Cocorico Tignes opens its doors to winter
Apres ski in resort will never be the same again
On Friday December 14th, the long anticipated Cocorico Apres-Ski bar opened their doors to their first winter season in Tignes. Local business owners and seasonaires were the first to visit the venue which will be serving pizza, beer and fist pumping entertainment.
The bar is the second of it’s kind. The innovation of a Norden-style apres venue was from the owners of the renowned Doudoune Club in Val D’isere. Now, Cocorico has expanded to Tignes because of it’s success. The bar delivers exciting energy to Val Claret, hosting the Alps favourite live performers. Just under the new development of the Grand Motte Glacier, thirsty mountaineers can ride straight into the party, with easy access from Touviere and the Gratalu park too. The pizza restaurant is open throughout the day for a quick snack, happy hours are between 14:00 and 16:00, and the apres party warms up at around 15:00.
The opening weekend had a chilly start as Tignes was truly frosted over, and not many tourists had arrived in resort. So it was a great time to sense the large square perimeter of the venue which is caged by panoramic, sound proof walls. The trendy terrace is made of rustic wood, and features a fiercely constructed stage. Alike Val D’isere, the venue is decorated with coruscating lights, and when the party heats up fire shoots into the darkening sky. Everything about the venue is audacious; perfect for ravers who want to dance past sunset.
Cocorico’s favourite rock band Tenacious Ski took to the stage, performing Apres classics like ‘Don’t look back in anger’, ’Sweet Caroline’ and the theme tune from Friends. In apres spirit, the tables are topped with two stepping ski-boots and dancers hollering to the band. At 18:00, a DJ takes over, mixing house beats to the last standing apres-ers. This is definitely the biggest outdoor party in Tignes besides the New Year's Rock concert.
Drink prices are that which can be expected of a spectacular Alpine venue, with small beers starting at €6 and Cocorico branded wine starting at €25. The venue has already reached a capacity of over 1500 people, but there was ample space and the queues for the bar were not too long. The multi-lingual staff are professional and fashionably uniformed. A variety of hearty, deep-crust pizza slices are available inside, with relaxed furniture for anyone wanting a seat to actually sit and not dance on.
Cocorico is an excuse to wear your best winter-rave attire. When the sun is not shining, such as this weekend, warm layers are recommended to be able to enjoy the terrace, although some people were so involved in the music they had stripped down to their thermals. There are plenty of spaces to leave your skis or snowboard outside. When the bar closes at 20:00, Val Claret’s main bus stop is just across the piste.
Overall, the party is a contemporary apres experience. It’s a new concept for Tignes which does not have much of a swanky club scene. We were always content with the charming bars for apres, but this is a welcome attraction. It’s great that tourists will no longer have to travel across the mountains for this kind of experience. As more tourists arrive for over winter, the energy will continue throughout the season and into spring. Best of luck to Cocorico on your first Winter in Tignes. See you on the tables.
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