If the phrase apres-ski conjures up images of all-night partying, think again. I've never known anyone apart from toddlers and 20-year olds who can stay awake much past 9pm after a day on the slopes.

But off we go, gamely trudging through the still-falling snow, leaving all the kids lounging in their onesies (yes, teenagers!) in one of the appartments (we have come with two other families) with copious supplies of pizzas and films, in search of a tapas bar. We find a tiny, cosy bar, drink some beer, drink some wine, eat lots of tapas, watch the news of the day on TV (the pope's resignation being the big story - it took us some time, pooling all our shaky Spanish to figure out the what he was up to) and compare our assorted bruises/aches/pains. Late into the night (10 pm!) we head back to the appartment to be shooed away by the kids whose film is "at a good bit." Disapproving of our rowdiness, the kids banish the adults to the bedroom (the only other room in the apartment) where we have to keep quiet, and sustain ourselves by drinking duty-free Baileys. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was a fun night and worth the headache in the morning (I blame the altitude!)