Are you looking for a ski or snowboarding music festival? The European ski calendar features many world-class events, from dance festivals to comedy shows. Come spring the arrival of warmer weather brings many of the best ski festivals, with the hottest tunes, great skiing and the freshest powder. Here’s our low-down on the best ski festivals in the Alps to end your season in style.
Rock the Pistes – Portes du Soleil, March
The ultimate in mountain music festivals, Rock the Pistes in the Portes du Soleil ski area offers an incredible 35 concerts across a series of high-altitude venues in just one week. It’s one of the only skiing festivals of its kind in Europe. With spectacular slope-side stages, this festival is only accessible by ski and snowboard – your ski-pass is also your ticket. Babyshambles, Rag’n’Bone Man and The Klaxons are among previous headliners. Games are also organised on the pistes, such as a massive treasure hunt everyone can take part in.
Tomorrowland – Alpe d’Huez, March
This is the winter edition of the world-famous dance festival Tomorrowland. Hosting a range of top international DJs in Alpe d’Huez ski resort, this dance music festival promises a week of partying up high in the mountains through the day and night. Packages include lodging, lift and ski pass as well as your festival ticket – meaning you have everything needed to access what is to become the greatest winter dance festival. Previous headliners have included Fedde Le Grand, Armin Van Buuren and Tiësto.
Stay At:
Club Med Alpe d’Huez offers a ski-in ski-out all-inclusive ski holiday in one of the finest resorts in Europe.
Snowboxx – Avoriaz, March
This ski festival is certainly weird and wacky, with your only essential item a sense of fun (though you might want to pack your skis too). With awesome runs and an even better line-up, this event is all about the après. You’ll experience human bowling, disco dodgeball and extreme snowball fights at Snowboxx in Avoriaz ski resort. This ski and snowboarding music festival is described as ‘organised mayhem’. We couldn’t agree more; visitors to this snow-filled open-air fest that features insane late-night club nights, always come with a veracious party appetite.
Stay At:
The Hotel Mil8 in Avoriaz sits in the heart of town, with great access to all the resort has to offer.
Snowbombing Festival – Mayrhofen, April
Hands-down one of the best ski festivals when it comes to line up, legendary Snowbombing in Mayrhofen ski resort is difficult to beat. This hedonistic week-long party is famous for a line-up of international names such as The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim and for its magical venues. Innovative events include secret mountain raves and igloo disco battles. You can even join the ‘Road Trip’ convoy to get there – a two-day car rally over four countries, which arrives just as the entertainment begins.
Stay At:
Hotel Elisabeth in Mayrhofen is a small luxury hotel for adults only, famous for its superb cuisine.
Subli’Cimes – La Plagne, April
Subli’Cimes offers a dose of madness, adrenaline and magic amongst the mountains, with plenty of fun for all the family. Located in La Plagne ski resort, the week-long skiing festival is host to five unique, themed locations spread over the five peaks of the resort. The festival encourages skiers to have fun whilst exploring what La Plagne has to offer. Best of all, the festival is free – you’ll just need a lift pass to get up there. In the past, activities have ranged from outdoor hot tubs and aromatherapy igloos to water-skiing for the adventurous ones among us.
Stay At:
With modern design and minimalist décor, staying at Hotel Belle Plagne Vacances Bleues is a stylish and relaxing experience.
The Brits – Laax, April
The Brits is one the best ski festivals for snowsports enthusiasts. This week-long music and snowsports festival hosts the British Snowboard and Freeski Championships. Spectators can watch slope-side with events ranging from snowboard and ski-cross to freestyle competitions. This ski festival in Laax ski resort is not to be missed. But the Brits doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. The après session brings just as much adrenaline as the day with live music and DJ events across the resort.
Stay At:
Hotel Adula in Flims Laax is a family-run hotel with a fabulous range of health and fitness facilities.
Top of the Mountain Closing Concert – Ischgl, April
The winter season always goes out with a bang in Ischgl ski resort, thanks to the Top of the Mountain Closing Concert. Previous headliners include Lenny Kravitz, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Pink and Muse. The concert is held at the biggest open-air arena in Austria – the Idalp. A separate ski day pass includes admission to this incredible concert. You can enjoy the slopes of Ischgl before singing and dancing in the spring sunshine at 2,300m; what a way to see out the season.
Stay At:
Located two minutes from the gondola and a short walk to the centre of Ischgl, the Hotel Solaria is an excellent four-star option.
If you would like to find out more about the best ski festivals in the Alps, start your ski holiday search or speak to our experts on 0207 471 7700. Whether you are looking for a ski or a snowboarding music festival we can help.
