Varsity Trip Preview: Part Two

Last week we showed you the best places to eat, drink and ski in Val Thorens, along with some of the discounts available exclusively to VT participants. This week, The Tab will be your guide to what’s going on in the resort and how you can get involved. Here are some of our top tips:

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Opening Night Street Party / ‘Blast Off!’

When: Sunday evening; 8.00pm – 10.00pm / 10.00pm – 2.00am
Where: At the top of Val Thorens, outside Saloon Bar and Gringo’s / ‘Mission Control’

Ever heard of Snowbombing Festival at Mayrhofen? Us neither. Apparently it was the inspiration for this year’s street party though. And it looks amazing.

There will be free food, free drink and a firework display on offer. If that’s not enough to persuade you, there will a tank (fitted with a gigantic sound system and DJ booth) in attendance as well. That’s right, a tank.

Opening night fireworks on VT09

‘Blast Off’, the space-themed opening night party immediately afterwards in the Sports Hall (a.k.a ‘Mission Control’) also promises to be a treat. Featuring DJ Yoda and a mind-blowing special event (VT insiders report that “it’s a concept, something that’s never been done before in France”), it’s always a great way to kick off the week.

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Chairlift of Love

When: Monday afternoon; 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Where: Boismint Chairlift

New for VT 2010, the ‘Chairlift of Love’ promises to be one of the funniest things in resort all week. Two-man chairlifts can be awkward at the best of times, but have you ever used them for airborne speed-dating? We certainly haven’t. Schweff to your heart’s content – you’ve only got 5 minutes.

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Corona Beach Party

When: Tuesday night; 10.00pm – 12.00am
Where: Saloon Bar/ Summit

Sponsored by Corona and with some sick drinks deals available (watch out for the pitchers), the Beach Party promises to be a great night. Apparently Saloon Bar is planning on covering their entire floor with sand. Sweeet.

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Cuppers Finals

When: Wednesday afternoon; 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Where: The Stade (World Cup piste – at the top of town)

Let’s face it, Cuppers was a bit shit last year. No-one really went and the course didn’t exactly make for great viewing.

Last year’s Cuppers left much to be desired

This year there will be a dedicated Cuppers course, the DJ tank will be there and there will be plenty of free food and drink on offer. Race to the Base also finishes at the venue, so there should be plenty of people around. Come and support your college/ watch Trinity, Cambridge win yet again.

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The Valley Rally

When: Thursday afternoon; 12.00pm – 2.30pm
Where: Across the resort

For those of you who went on VT 08, the Valley Rally will need no introduction. For those of you who didn’t, it’s probably best that you never find out what happened anyway. Put it this way: you’d never use a spoon (or eat a yoghurt) again.

These guys didn’t even win..

The concept is simple enough: teams of 4 race around Val Thorens to complete a set of challenges devised by the Off the Piste reps. The more outrageous your antics, the better; as ever, points mean prizes. The lucky winners of this year’s Valley Rally will win a luxury (we’re talking chauffeur-driven…) European ski week for 4, courtesy of Scott Dunn holidays. Don’t miss out.

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The Varsity Rugby

When: Thursday afternoon; 2.30pm – 5.00pm
Where: Bowling alley, Frog and Roastbeef

One of the few downsides to going on the Varsity Trip is that you miss out on the Varsity Match. Following last year’s hard-fought win, Jimmy Richards and his boys are shaping up well for this year’s fixture. Obviously the Twickenham atmosphere is pretty hard to replicate, but watching the game in a venue crammed with Oxbridge students is probably the next best thing. Last year, a big screen cock-up in the VT marquee meant that people had to cram into pubs and bars across Tignes. This year, the game will be shown on the big screens at the Bowling Alley in Val Thorens, where there will also be drinks deals available. Failing that, the Frog and Roastbeef is a safe bet.

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Final Night Festival

When: Thursday night; 9.00pm – 2.00am
Where: ‘Mission Control’

One of the highlights of the trip. With three massive acts, including Jack Beats, scheduled to play and a new wristband-entry system to cut back on queuing times, the Final Night Festival is going to be huge.

VT09 ended with a bang

The VT committee have also promised to improve the cloakroom system from last year. Watch out for the headliners in Malaysia (open until 7.00am) afterwards – last year Pendulum played a cheeky 3am set to 200 die-hard partygoers in Melting Pot.

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If all that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, take a look at the official VT launch video:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR2Sx25WDVo&

Check back next week for The Tab’s guide to the DJs and artists lined up to play on VT2010..