So..... After the truly huge response I had about my first café ratings for the first half of the season I thought I better knock up a part 2.
Unfortunately due to the fact I've started to complete a few more races my café time has been significantly reduced thus this might not be as thorough as part 1. A bit selfish I know (I do apologise) but occasionally even the old FIS points need to come before a bit of café research.
That said, even on good days there'll always be time for a hot chocolate and pain au chocolat between inspections so here goes....
Les Gets
Pretty good positioning half way down the long practice piste which is conveniently sat next to the race course. Minimum space inside meant that the race to get to the café to get a seat was almost as competitive as the slalom event going on outside, something that consequently meant making the flip for second run even more vital than usual. During somewhat of a blizzard and finger freezing wind-chill on the 2nd day we were extremely grateful to Saint Laurie Taylor who, in unselfishly sacrificing his day on run 1, was able to be sat in the café reserving seats for the previous two hours. Hot chocolate was decent but points lost for being expensive. 4/10
Bormio
4 Euros for a slice of pizza - or if you're in there for a while and a growing lad (the bulking phase) - 12 Euros for 3 slices. Happy days. Inevitably a few too many hours were spent in the bormio café, including a 7 hour long marathon stint in which a number of Flappy Bird high scores were destroyed! One point frustratingly deducted because the Polish guys there thought it was a good idea to stand in front of the TV when the skiing was on but even that can't deny the home of the English Champs a competitive score. Everyone knows that this gem is up there with the very best! 8/10
Val Thorens
Other than a little shed at the bottom you would have expected more from one of the Three Valley's jewels. Fortunately it was sunny and hot otherwise I'd have spent my whole time in the van in between runs. All the two's on this one I'm afraid - too expensive, too small, two finishes left too little time to check out facilities properly. 2/10
Meribel
The good old Meribel marquee! Sun, snow, rain? Then the tent is where to head! Pain au chocolat, hot chocolate and change from 5 euros is rarer than a smile from the ESF in Meribel! Extra pointage given for substantial space for even the biggest of teams, perfect viewing of the slalom piste and almost decent toilets (for France) close by give this canvassed covered crowd pleaser an impressive 8/10
Whilst in Meribel we must also give a shout out to the newly re-named Meri-Bar. I'm pretty sure Fraser Buchan will also back me up on this rasper. Slip down to the bar and order "the big one". 12 euros later, a near dustbin lid sized platter of bacon, sausage, egg, hash browns, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast appears in front of you - without doubt it's the mother, father and god-parent of race piste breakfasts. Granted it's pretty unsuitable for any elite or aspiring racers, therefore denying it a near perfect 10. However even the inevitable downgrading gets slightly offset by the extra pointage earned by having Sky Sports rolling inside - Stelling, Merse & Matt Le Tiss are essential company every Saturday afternoon in the Alps! A 9.5/10 makes the marquee/Meri-Bar combo a must try (at least once) for every first run DNF-er - to quote Cammy "it's unbelievable Jeff"
Courchevel
Poor facilities even though it is very accessible and offering easy lift access for post run bag & ski collection. Only the one gazebo, tables which collapse any time you have more than 3 people perched on them and a pair of toilets that flood more regularly than Somerset cost this one significant pointage. Also, it has to be noted that we were hugely disappointed with the absence of pre-promised pig products to be served between baps and brown sauce. Organisers - please don't promise to bring along the bacon then turn up with soggy pastries, it only costs you café rating points. As a result - 3/10, and I'm flattering you.